![]() The immersive and multisensory nature of Virtual Reality (VR) could make this novel technology an especially attractive shared learning experience for pairs intergenerational participants. Likewise, a benefit of technology use by older adults is its application as a catalyst for intergenerational connection older adults are motivated to use technology by the desire to remain socially connected with family members by taking part in the hobbies of younger family members (Freeman et al., Citation2020). Reverse mentoring, where a younger individual supports an older individual’s learning, has shown success in teaching seniors to use technology, as well as in strengthening connections between generations (Leedahl et al., Citation2018). Technology adoption in older adults can be influenced by their first experiences and teaching methods used (Peek et al., Citation2016). ![]() VR as a catalyst for intergenerational connection and digital literacy Consequently, the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted a dire need to develop solutions for tackling the digital divide to ensure the long-term mental and physical health of the world’s aging population (Daly et al., Citation2021). Unfortunately, older adults are on average slower to adopt new technologies (Pew Research Center, Citation2017), and low digital literacy has prevented many seniors from staying socially connected, albeit remotely, during the pandemic (Wu, Citation2020). Loneliness in older adults has been shown to have a clear association with depression, anxiety, and frailty, all of which are correlated with loss of independence and overall decline (Chen et al., Citation2020 Perissinotto et al., Citation2012). For older adults in particular, social distancing measures and the rapid switch to virtual services have shed light on the concerning health consequences of low levels of digital literacy (Daly et al., Citation2021), social isolation, and loneliness (Herron et al., Citation2021 Wu, Citation2020). The circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic place individuals of all ages at risk of worsening mental health due to social isolation (Pancani et al., Citation2020). The digital divide and isolation in seniors Overall, participants reported positive experiences, and there is an appetite to sustain and scale the program in the future. A detailed description of the workshop is provided, along with a discussion on recommendations for future iterations of the program that may serve as a model for other locations that wish to implement similar programming. Post-workshop, participants reported feeling less isolated, more connected with other people, and more confident in learning to use innovative technology. ![]() All intergenerational pairs successfully completed a VR film. Feedback was collected through facilitator observations and weekly debriefing sessions (n = 4), as well as online participant surveys (n = 3) and phone interviews (n = 2) conducted upon program completion. Five pairs of grandparents and grandchildren (n = 10) engaged in four, one-hour long online sessions each week in November 2020. The overall program goals were threefold: (1) to create a ‘VRCHIVE’ of 360° VR films that documented participants’ lives during the COVID-19 pandemic, (2) to explore the challenges and successes of the program in order to evaluate its effectiveness, and (3) to understand, broadly, the program’s impact on technology literacy, feelings of isolation, and familial relationship strengthening. The workshop took place during the COVID-19 pandemic, which has highlighted a need to develop solutions to address the digital divide and consequent increased social isolation in older adults. The VRCHIVE workshop was a first-of-its-kind exploratory pilot initiative to examine the feasibility of running a remote, intergenerational Virtual Reality (VR) storytelling workshop through the Toronto Public Library.
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