Ebenezer Receives LeadingAge Minnesota Innovation Award

Posted on February 20, 2018 by Jodi Boyne

Ebenezer recently received a Stars Among Us Innovation Award from LeadingAge Minnesota for its virtual reality initiative that allows older adults to experience the world in ways they never thought possible. 

“The Innovation Award recognizes programs that transform and enhance the experience of aging,” said Gayle Kvenvold, President and CEO, LeadingAge Minnesota. “Ebenezer brought cutting-edge technology to enrich the lives of older adults in ways that challenge the status quo. The virtual reality experience led to positive outcomes and could pave the way for advancements in reducing anxiety and pain, improving confidence, and proving deep personal fulfillment as older adults age.”   

Ebenezer introduced its virtual reality program on its Minneapolis campus, which serves 600 low-income and highly-diverse seniors who still have plenty of living left to do. Each participant in the pilot program experienced virtual reality twice each week for approximately 10 minutes each time and completed a survey after each experience. 

“Residents were not only given a chance to escape from their current location but were also motivated to embrace the limitations they deal with every day,” said Joel Prevost, Campus Administrator, Ebenezer Minneapolis. “The virtual reality experience provided support and care for our residents in a way that we have not been able to do so before.” 

Once the pilot was completed, Ebenezer reviewed the surveys and found that participants maintained a high level of positive emotion and relaxation. Many participants said their experience was overwhelmingly good and 100 percent said they enjoyed it. The majority reported that virtual reality had a positive impact on their mental health, with 96 percent saying it helped them feel happier, 97 percent felt more relaxed, 98 percent more positive and 94 percent less worried. 

Ebenezer is now making the virtual reality experience available to all its residents at the Minneapolis campus, and is planning to add additional elements that could include opportunities for residents to come together, like a travel club or book club, and share their experiences.