Vicenç Ferrer, MBA, Managing Director U.S., BroomX
LinkedIn: Vicenç Ferrer Mayol, MBA
LinkedIn: BroomX
Cathy Schwegler, Recreation Therapy Specialist, Jewish Senior Home
LinkedIn: Jewish Home
Across the healthcare continuum, clinicians are exploring immersive environments as a tool to ease anxiety, support emotional regulation, and strengthen engagement for individuals living with cognitive decline. At Jewish Senior Life in Rochester, NY, this approach has been integrated into memory care programming as part of a broader effort to enhance person-centered therapy.
Introducing Immersion in a Therapeutic Setting
In 2022, Jewish Senior Life introduced an immersive projection system within its recreation therapy department. The room, approximately 12 by 20 feet, uses large-format panoramic projection and ambient audio to create multisensory environments appropriate for residents with dementia and other cognitive challenges.
Sessions typically last 5–10 minutes and are facilitated by trained recreation therapy staff. Content ranges from calming natural scenes to familiar hometown visuals, selected based on resident comfort levels and sensory preferences. Sessions may be delivered individually or in small groups, allowing therapists to adjust the environment according to cognitive ability, mobility, and therapeutic objectives.
Observed Clinical and Psychosocial Outcomes
Residents have shown promising responses during and after immersive sessions. Therapists noted improved focus, increased verbalization, and greater willingness to engage socially when immersion was used as a precursor to conversation or reminiscence.
One resident, who often experiences disorganized speech patterns, was able to identify specific flowers when viewing a projected meadow. Family members have also reported noticeable calmness following immersive sessions, particularly for residents who struggle with agitation or restlessness.
These observations are consistent with growing research across geriatrics, neurorehabilitation, and palliative care indicating that controlled visual immersion can support mood regulation, attention, and cognitive stimulation in individuals with memory loss.
Supporting Person-Centered Care
For many residents, particularly those with mobility limitations or reduced community exposure, immersive environments offer a safe way to revisit places and experiences that hold personal meaning. Therapists often use the visual scenes as prompts for storytelling, sensory recall, or guided relaxation exercises.
This approach strengthens therapeutic rapport and helps reduce the anxiety that can accompany unfamiliar or overstimulating environments. The predictable, gentle pacing of the visuals is especially valuable for residents who benefit from low-stimulus interventions.
Expanding Multisensory Integration
Building on initial success, the Therapeutic Recreation team is exploring multisensory layering by pairing visual immersion with tactile objects, aromatherapy, or themed props. These additions help reinforce memory recall, enhance sensory grounding, and encourage active participation.
Future programming may incorporate localized content to allow residents to experience familiar Rochester landmarks or former neighborhoods, supporting reminiscence-oriented therapy and personalized care plans.
Considerations for Healthcare Providers
Jewish Senior Life’s experience highlights several key lessons for organizations evaluating immersive environments for therapeutic use:
- Alignment with existing clinical frameworks is essential. Immersive tools are most effective when integrated into established therapeutic goals and documentation practices.
- Staff facilitation is central. Skilled therapists play a critical role in selecting appropriate content, monitoring resident response, and adapting sessions for comfort and safety.
- Content selection matters. Calm, familiar imagery tends to promote positive engagement more effectively than fast-paced or highly abstract visuals.
- Implementation is adaptable. Immersive environments can be created in modest-sized rooms, making them accessible for organizations with limited physical space.
By embedding immersive environments into memory care, providers can create calming, personalized therapeutic moments that complement traditional recreation therapy and enrich the overall resident experience.