  In this paper we introduce novel Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality
(AR) treatments to improve the psychological well being of patients in
palliative care, based on interviews with a clinical psychologist who has
successfully implemented VR assisted interventions on palliative care patients
in the Hong Kong hospital system. Our VR and AR assisted interventions are
adaptations of traditional palliative care therapies which simultaneously
facilitate patients communication with family and friends while isolated in
hospital due to physical weakness and COVID-19 related restrictions. The first
system we propose is a networked, metaverse platform for palliative care
patients to create customized virtual environments with therapists, family and
friends which function as immersive and collaborative versions of 'life review'
and 'reminiscence therapy'. The second proposed system will investigate the use
of Mixed Reality telepresence and haptic touch in an AR environment, which will
allow palliative care patients to physically feel friends and family in a
virtual space, adding to the sense of presence and immersion in that
environment.
