Digital Interventions for Social Isolation: Virtual Reality and Educational Programs for Older Adults

Abstract

Nowadays, there is a significant gap in structured interventions and educational tools addressing the emotional and social needs of older adults, particularly concerning the growing prevalence of loneliness and its impact on mental health and well-being. The primary objective of this article is to design and implement a virtual reality-based educational lab to promote active aging and reduce loneliness in older adults. The virtual reality program is integrated into a volunteer-supported intervention and simulates real-life social scenarios to foster interpersonal connection, cognitive engagement, and emotional resilience.