  Research examining older adults interactions with Virtual Reality (VR) and
the impact of social VR experiences on outcomes such as social engagement has
been limited, especially among older adults. This multi-site pilot study
evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of a novel social virtual reality
(VR) program that paired older adults from different geographic locations (New
York City, Tallahassee, and Ithaca, N.Y) who engaged in virtual travel and
productive engagement activities together. The sample included 36 individuals
aged 60 and older, 25 percent of whom had cognitive impairment (CI). Older
adults with and without CI reported high levels of engagement in the VR
environment and perceived the social VR program to be enjoyable and usable.
Perceived Spatial Presence was a central driver of the positive outcomes. Most
also indicated a willingness to reconnect with their VR partner in the future.
The data also identified important areas for improvement in the program, such
as the use of more realistic and responsive avatars, controllers with larger
controls, and more time for training. Overall, these findings suggest that VR
social applications may foster social engagement among older adults.
