By Zaila Brinson | October 21, 2024
Photo Credit: Zaila Brinson / The ASP
University at Albany researchers are taking advantage of Virtual Reality (VR) technology in an effort to support older adults in the face of natural disasters. The College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity is using Meta Quest VR headsets to stimulate potential emergencies for older adults, ensuring their preparation and providing support as needed.
“We are aiming to capitalize on advances in VR training by applying it to improving preparedness, risk perception and protective action decision-making of individuals,” said Dr. DeeDee Bennett Gayle, head researcher and chair of UAlbany’s Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security.
The study will focus on multiple disasters and participants will have access to the VR headsets in the lab. The team will use portable kits, so they can set up in convenient areas for participants, like in a library or a senior center. It will take about 1 hour of the participants time, but the full hour will not be solely focused on the use of the VR headset.
There are many groups that are vulnerable during disasters such as older adults, those with disabilities, racial and ethnic minorities, etc. Researchers hope to both reduce vulnerability and increase community resilience so that overall, the country becomes stronger. Preparedness includes communication plans, disaster kits, and proper insurance coverage for any damages that may be sustained.
The “Preparing Older Adults: Communicating Threat Risk In Virtual Environments (PROACTIVE)” project team includes researchers from Minnesota State University, Mankato and Georgia Institute of Technology. If you wish to participate in the study, contact the team at esetlab@albany.edu.
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