Dureault said he began his service as a stevedore, now known as a marine cargo specialist, and later transitioned into military police. When I shared that I’m an Army Veteran too, his face lit up. It felt like an unspoken connection.

While we talked, I learned the hospice unit was beginning a pilot of a new virtual reality, or VR, experience, and that Dureault would be the first Veteran to try it.

Amanda Smith, a clinical resources nurse with VA Boston, worked with the Center for Development and Civic Engagement to procure the  VR device. 

“I believe the Veterans we care for should be offered every opportunity possible to enhance delivery of care and improve their quality of life,” said Smith. “This is part of a collaboration between Nursing and our Center for Development and Civic Engagement.” 

Dureault now lives on the Hospice Unit. His wife, who has Alzheimer's disease, lives in a nursing home. He talked about her openly, and it was clear the situation has been hard on him.

As we spoke, Dureault shared how much he loved riding his bike along Rhode Island's trails. He described the long, beautiful routes and what those rides meant to him.

When it was time for the VR session, staff helped Dureault get the headset ready. A nurse held up the brochure, so he could choose where he wanted to go, and another adjusted the view so the image was clear. After a few small adjustments, he chose to travel to Spain.

Programs like this are part of what some describe as the Eldervserse, a growing space where technology helps older adults experience new places and moments of connection they might not otherwise have access to.

Through the tablet next to him, we watched the scene as he saw it. Dureault observed the surroundings with excitement, turning his head slowly as he took everything in. We got a good laugh when he spotted a dog, and maybe even a horse in the distance.

When the session ended, Dureault said, "It was pretty cool!" When asked how he rated his experience, he replied with an enthusiastic, "Eight out of ten," then added, "I’d recommend it to other Veterans."

Thanks to a new VR experience, for a short time, Dureault was able to explore somewhere new and reconnect with a feeling of adventure. Watching that unfold was an experience that will stay with me for a long time.

Source: https://www.va.gov/boston-health-care/stories/virtual-reality-opens-a-window-beyond-a-hospice-room/