1848 days ago

Armchair travel to many countries

Bupa Parkstone Retirement Village

Virtual reality technology has allowed residents to see the world from their armchairs.

A group of residents in Bupa Hugh Green Care Home were amazed by an immersive experience recently, donning headsets for a virtual reality tour of Egypt, India, Italy and Croatia.

The virtual travel tour is in HD, 4K and is part of a technology trial for the care home. The care home activity team talking the residents through the accompanying narrative.

The technology is from SilVR, specialising in education using virtual reality through 360º photos, sound and videos. The headset can provide a vast library selection of locations and interests to choose from.

Residents were guided through Cairo’s Great Sphinx of Giza, the Hawa Mahal Jaiur in India, and the Colosseum in Rome, Italy.

General Manager , Ian Dunthorne says the technology initiative has become popular worldwide with care homes due to lockdowns restricting travel.

“Our residents, with and without cognitive impairment, have found this to be an amazing journey. Reminiscing of their own past travel trips can trigger conversation during and after the VR as a shared experience or on their own.”

After the session, specialty cups of tea were shared from countries the residents had visited. This capped off their virtual reality travel trip from the comfort of their care home lounge.

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One proposed solution? Small levies on industries that profit from financial hardship — like banks, casinos, and similar companies.

So we want to hear what you think:
Should the government ask these industries to contribute?

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Should the government levy industries that contribute to financial hardship?
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  • 26.2% No, individuals should take responsibility
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After ten years of depression, my life had hit rock bottom

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1 day ago

Poll: Do you have a go-to adverse-weather checklist for your family? ☔⚠️

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

As reported in the Press, the same low-pressure system that lashed the North Island over the weekend is now making its way south, bringing heavy rain and strong winds with it. It’s a soggy start to the week for many of us.

With more wild weather on the cards, we’re curious: do you have a go-to adverse-weather checklist for your family? Or are you more of a “grab the torches and hope for the best” household?

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Do you have a go-to adverse-weather checklist for your family? ☔⚠️
  • 42.9% Yes - we like to be prepared
    42.9% Complete
  • 46.4% Nah
    46.4% Complete
  • 10.7% This is on my to-do list!
    10.7% Complete
28 votes