“I Was Able to Go Back”: Using VR to Bring Comfort and Connection to Hospice Care

Elara Caring hospice teams in Oklahoma recently received training on a new, innovative tool to enhance patient care: Virtual Reality (VR). The teams are learning how to incorporate immersive experiences into their visits to provide moments of peace, joy and emotional connection for the patients we serve. From calming beach scenes to spiritual reflection, the VR program is designed to support not just the body, but the mind and soul.

One of the first to try it was Harley.

With the headset gently placed over his eyes, Harley was suddenly surrounded by blue water, colorful fish and the quiet calm of the ocean. His face broke into a wide smile as he exclaimed, “Scuba diving!”

After the underwater adventure, Harley viewed a VR video of the Garden of the Gods. As the images unfolded, he shared a memory of visiting the park with his family. He even pulled up a photo on his phone from that very trip. “I was able to go back,” he said, his voice calm, reflective and full of gratitude.

The experience left him noticeably more peaceful. Our team could see the difference; he was more settled, more present and very much looking forward to his next session.

Watching Harley light up was a powerful reminder of what this technology can offer—not just distraction, but connection. Connection to joyful memories. To a sense of freedom. To something that feels familiar and comforting.

The team aims to make each VR session as meaningful and personalized as possible. They’re exploring ways to monitor vital signs, like heart rate and oxygen levels, during the experience to better understand its impact. They’re also developing questionnaires to capture patients’ reflections and emotions afterward.

Beyond the visuals, the team is leaning into the full sensory experience. This week, they’re preparing to take a patient on a virtual trip to the beach, complete with a beach chair, umbrella, ocean waves playing through a speaker, a bowl of water for her feet and her favorite cold Pepsi in hand. The music therapist will even provide relaxing coastal sounds to complete the atmosphere.

It’s not just about what patients see—it’s about what they feel. And for one patient, that beach escape will be the next adventure on the horizon.

Spiritual elements are also being thoughtfully woven in, including scripture and calming narratives that allow patients to engage on a soul-deep level.

This isn’t just a new technology; it’s a new way of caring. And sometimes, the simplest words from our patients say it best.

When Harley smiled and said, “Scuba diving,” we believed him. Because for that moment, he truly was.

Read more about hospice and other home care services or call your local Elara Caring branch to learn how we can help your loved one.