It’s usually the youth that is associated with cutting-edge technology, but we’re seeing an unlikely group of early adopters emerge—the elderly. Virtual Reality (VR) is being used to better the lives of senior citizens all over the world by reducing loneliness, improving their mental health and transporting them to far-flung places without needing to leave the comfort of their home.

These are some recent examples of the ways immersive technology is having a positive impact on seniors.

VR Can Counteract Feelings Of Loneliness

Kenta Toshima, a Tokyo researcher, is using VR to help nursing home residents visit places from their pasts and tick off locations on their bucket lists. He’s doing it by capturing made-to-order VR experiences with an 8K 360 camera.