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Virtual Reality Brings Smiles to the Elderly in Nigeria's Old Folks Homes

NIGERIA: Artist, Kunle Adewale, is bringing virtual reality (VR) to old folks’ homes in Nigeria, allowing the elderly to listen and watch some of their favorite musicians and music videos through VR headsets.

At the Elderly Care Home in Lagos, Nigeria, 77-year-old Onatola Onajobi, wears a VR headset to watch music videos of some of his favorite musicians. Onajobi used to be a Disc Jockey in his heyday, and says the VR unit has helped him connect with music more intimately than ever before.

“It looks as if I was watching Ray Charles on stage, it gave me a feeling I can never forget," he said.

Onajobi is not enjoying the joyful experience alone. Fellow Elderly Care Home client Moradeyo Ajibade, is also filled with joy and nostalgia after trying on the VR unit.

“I have never even seen this VR before but this is my first time using it. I stood up and began to dance when the music entered my brain, it gingered (energized) my swagger," said Ajibade.

Kunle Adewale is an artist who focuses on what he refers to as therapeutic art projects. The 40-year-old founded Tender Arts Nigeria in 2013, a non-profit social enterprise that has carried out initiatives in India, Nigeria, South Africa, and other African countries. After the death of his parents, Adewale decided to make helping seniors live the rest of their lives in happiness a priority.

“The virtual reality stuff is more of a gaming thing for the youth but there’s so much potential it can offer in the place of health and improving their wellbeing and their health status as well, so that is why I started this. And beyond that as well I feel like virtual reality can help seniors to really... in place of mental health and also in the place of brain health as well," said Adewale.

He added that some of the elderly have dementia, and what VR can do is help them connect to popular musicians they grew up knowing or listening to, allowing them to relive old moments and experiences, find expression and dance and move their bodies in ways that makes them happy. He said that even if it is just for a short moment, it is still very important for them.

While these VR experiences can't quite replace visits by family and short trips outside the home, Adewale believes this project is a safe way to put smiles on faces and get people dancing. He said, “Sometimes the seniors get to experience this virtual reality and it seems that they can’t get out of it, it’s like they finding themselves in a world, in their own world, they stay longer there, they want to stay there forever."

Adewale and many others who operate in the VR space, say use of the technology got a boost during the pandemic and the restrictions that have come with it. Adewale’s Art in Medicine project also supports people living with sickle cell anemia.



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