Living Room

• mental stimulation

Virtual reality means using special equipment (like goggles or a headset) to feel like you're in a different place, like in a game, a movie or a place that you can't go to or isn’t real. You can look around, move, and sometimes even touch things in that world, even though you're really just standing or sitting in your room. Virtual reality is sometimes also called VR. Sometimes virtual reality headsets work alone other times they need to be connected to other devices. A virtual reality headset can be used in a variety of ways including:

• Playing games either alone or with others
• Entertainment
• Exercise
• Work including; virtual meetings, virtual workspaces to collaborate and creative work such as product design
• Education
• Virtual Travel

You can find and buy these and similar products by searching 'VR' or 'Virtual Reality Headset' on the internet. They are also available in some shops which sell electrical items.

Virtual reality can have a variety of benefits particularly for people who find it difficult to go out of their home.

• Social Interaction and meaningful activity: If meeting or participating in activities in person isn't possible, this could be a way to interact with others in a virtual setting. It could also be a way to go to places that it isn't possible to go to in reality, for example places of interest or holiday destinations. 
• Learning Resources: Virtual reality can provide options to learn in an interactive way. 
• Being more active: Virtual reality offers ways to exercise in an interactive way at home. 
• Wellbeing: Being able to participate in virtual activities can be a way to be distracted from illness, disability or pain, helping wellbeing.

• Space or ability to move: Is there enough room to use it? How much movement will be needed for the purpose it will be used for is this suitable for the person.
• Impact of excessive use: Like any screen use, think about how long it might be used for.  Excessive screen use can cause eye strain and discomfort. Virtual reality can cause motion sickness for some people and might not be suitable for people with certain vision difficulties, is there an option to try it before buying? Think about how it will be used, is it being used instead of interacting with people in other settings, is this right for the person or their only option or would a mix of online interaction as well as meeting people in person be a better balance? 
• Advances in technology: Virtua reality technology is still developing and there may be issues with compatibility of devices, resolution and latency this is the time between the movement of the person using it and something happening in the virtual world. 
• Cost: High quality models can be expensive and the devices for it to link to and software needed may need to be purchased separately.  Check reviews from others who have used it.