Whiddon Beaudesert offered 15 residents a chance to explore the Swiss Alps from the comfort of their care home as they hopped aboard the immersive reality Olive Express experience.
Residents enjoyed an hour-long journey of high tea, mingling and adventure through the Olive Express mobile train experience.
Olive Express is a magical virtual train journey operating through diversional therapy which helps residents who miss the joy of travel once again embark on a new adventure.
Diversional therapy has proven to have positive cognitive benefits on mental health and helps Olive Express create a therapeutic escape that can combat feelings of isolation and confinement.
The Olive Express program proudly aligns with Whiddon’s emphasis on ageing and relationship-based initiatives designed to improve resident engagement.
Whiddon Deputy CEO Alyson Jarrett was ecstatic to introduce Olive Express to their aged care as a way to welcome one of the many meaningful activities offered to Whiddon residents.
“Whiddon’s commitment to resident wellbeing includes prioritising resident engagement through a variety of activities,” Ms Jarrett said.
“These activities have been shown to affectively reduce the risk of depression, cognitive decline and chronic disease.”
Ms Jarrett was pleased to know the positive impact of diversional therapy and its ability to not only entertain residents but allow a healthy mental break.
“Multiple studies have shown the positive impact of diversional therapy, such as that offered through the Olive Express experience, on mental health,” she said.
“By stimulating the senses and evoking memories, the immersive train journeys are more than just entertainment — they’re a therapeutic escape that are a great step forward towards healthier ageing.”
Ms Jarrett hopes to offer Whiddon residents a wider range of immersive programs in the future.
“This will be the first time our Whiddon Beaudesert residents have experienced this immersive virtual rail trip, and it adds to the range of internal and external programs we offer to enrich every day for our residents,” she said.
“It is our hope that we can make it an ongoing journey for residents as there are a range of different scenic routes for them to explore.”
