VR Applications for the Senior Care Workforce
By 2030, 25% of Americans will be 65 or older by 2030 (U.S. Census). Approximately 90% of baby boomers aim to age-in-place, but these numbers drop when physical and mental deterioration sets in. In a recent LeadingAge survey, 40% of baby boomers said they wanted to live somewhere other than the place they currently call home if they had a physical disability impacting their day-to-day lives, and 70% want to be in a staffed senior care facility if they have dementia and need help with daily activities. These statistics suggest a growing need for senior care professionals, with the direct care workforce expected to grow from 4.4 million to 5.8 million--an increase of 30%-- from 2016 to 2026. This places a heavy burden on staffed senior care facilities to recruit, onboard and train direct care workers to meet the complex needs of seniors.