In May 2022, the La Poste Group undertook an experiment lasting several months in order to test the Lumeen device with elderly people at home. A collaboration developed around shared values and ambitions: to improve the daily life and health of elderly people, to fight against isolation, to strengthen social ties and to place people at the heart of the services offered.

Since its creation, Lumeen has in fact made it its mission to make the social and therapeutic benefits provided by virtual reality accessible to as many people as possible and is part of ongoing experimentation and research projects.

For its part, the La Poste Group is a leading player in the support and home care of seniors, with several years of commitment in the field of health and autonomy.

We are proud of the trust granted by this new partner to test the use of virtual reality in the service of social ties. We are all the more so in the face of the numerous, positive and warm feedback, and the undeniable benefits felt by the beneficiaries, which are already emerging from the first weeks of use!

A new immersive tool deployed in several pilot territories

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Since July 2022, several successive pilot experiments have been put in place. Each lasting approximately one month, they initially target territories in which La Poste Group support systems already existed.

The main missions of La Poste support staff are to ensure regular exchanges with senior beneficiaries, to support them to best meet their daily needs and to facilitate contact with competent local actors (financial aid, housing adaptation, personal services, etc.).

For the most part, new technologies are at the heart of the support approaches implemented, with the use of digital tablets, digital memory games, home automation devices or remote assistance with fall detectors... and recently, a Lumeen virtual reality headset.

How?

The accompanying persons are thus equipped with a Lumeen virtual reality headset, thanks to which they can offer the beneficiaries, as part of their home visits, immersive and innovative experiences.

Each “session” then takes place in several stages: the presentation of the device and the three available modules (Evasion, Relaxation and Reminiscence) by the accompanying person; once the choice of the module has been established, the installation of the beneficiary (comfortable and secure position, adaptation of the sound environment) and the assistance in handling the headphones (in order to guarantee the correct positioning of the headphones, the most appropriate sound level, etc.) then the start and the unfolding of the experience led by the accompanying person.

A time for discussion is always offered at the end of the experience, to take stock of the feelings, the sensations and the level of satisfaction experienced.

Visits by accompanying persons generally last between 1 hour and 1.5 hours, during which several videos may be proposed.

Where?

The first stage of the experiment took place in the department of Eure, in July 2022, around a team of 3 coaches. Since September 2022, the Lumeen virtual reality headset has reached Marseille, where it is used as part of the ViaGéVie system, the supported life annuity carried out in partnership with the Banque des Territoires PACA and SOLIHA Provence. The helmet journey will then end with XL Autonomie on the territory of Landes, in October 2022, where it will be used again by a team of 3 accompanying persons as part of the departmental public service Living at home. Overall, nearly 40 seniors among the 500 seniors supported should benefit from this experiment.

In Eure: VR as a new home prevention tool

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Let's go back for a moment to Eure, where the first experiment was set up, as we said, from July 2022. In this territory, the use of Lumeen virtual reality headsets has been integrated directly into the DOM MAINTENANCE Pack, developed jointly by the Department of Eure and La Poste, which offers support services that are fully supported financially to isolated elderly people.

Based on the feedback obtained, the helmets were easily transportable equipment and presented an intuitive and fast handling. But even beyond these technical advantages, it is the diversity of uses and the benefits observed that were unanimously welcomed by the interviewees.

Sessions adapted to the desires and needs of the beneficiaries

Although the target audience was mainly isolated elderly people — whether from a family or geographical point of view, in terms of mobility or restricted social contact -, the range of interventions proposed as part of the convivial visits of La Poste companions remained broad.

For some, it was a question of going back to their memories and their lives of yesteryear. Thierry, accompanying person, speaks to us with emotion about the” Wonder ” felt by this beneficiary who wanted to rediscover his native village, a place he had not seen since he was fourteen. ” He had tears in his eyes, it lasted a long time and I think he thanked me more than fifty times. ” he adds with a laugh. For others, priority was given to travel, to the discovery of new places, to an immediate feeling of change of scenery and well-being. ” We feel like we are in another world ”, tells us Huguette, who was able to test the Evasion module.

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Social, therapeutic and psychological benefits

Because the experience can be rich in emotions. Often, it is in this way that it facilitates sharing and conversation, by giving the opportunity for moments of strong exchanges between elderly people and carers, but also directly with their family, loved ones, and caregivers. For Francis and Céline, who spoke at length following their first session, new projects are already emerging:” We would like to see Aubervilliers again, we lived there for 35 years. ”.

Because the moments that have just been experienced are intense and unique, communication with certain beneficiaries, and even the relationship of trust they maintain with their carer, can be strengthened.

The use of VR is also sometimes an opportunity to calm down, to relax, to let go of your pains and concerns for a while. Until they fall asleep again for some:” Following the session, I slept from 22:30 to 5:30am, something that had not happened to me for months ”, rejoices Mireille, 85 years old. Here, Thierry tells us how this person who was suffering from sleep problems thanked him for a long time, after an 11-hour night following his session. Or how this man, during chemotherapy, stopped feeling the tingling in his fingers during his relaxation session. ” The positive impacts on health and psychological well-being are beyond our expectations ” explains Marie Bonin, Head of Management and Engineering in Gerontology within the Health and Autonomy Department of the La Poste Group. She adds that the device has also been tested.” for people who have cognitive disorders, especially Alzheimer's ”, with very positive results and initial observations of a reduction in behavioral disorders.

A first successful test!

After a month of use in Eure, the results seem positive!

As for the beneficiaries, many have expressed their wish and even their eagerness for a new session. While Huguette shared with us his joy at the idea of discovering new animal species, Francis has already thought about several places he would like to see or discover again.

Exciting prospects for collaboration

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However, they will have to wait a few more months, because the Tour de France of experiments is not yet completely over!

The Lumeen virtual reality headset is currently completing its month of testing in Marseille. There, the equipment is integrated into the range of services deployed within the ViaGéVie system.

He will then leave Provence for Landes, to meet a new audience, taken care of by XL Autonomie (a company co-owned by the Department of Landes and La Poste). Throughout the month of October, the new team equipped with the helmet will in turn be able to assess the usefulness of the tool, with new beneficiaries, including people with disabilities.

Even beyond these key steps, the first results have already opened the way to new ways of thinking and possible uses of the helmet. For example, why not try to think of collective sessions, which would bring together some of the beneficiaries of a territory? The logistical and operational challenges are real, but the motivation of the teams, as well as the beneficiaries, is just as real.

Lumeen is of course working alongside its partners to continue to adapt and develop its tools and their use. We would like to thank the La Poste Group, and in particular Marie Bonin, as well as all the support staff and beneficiaries, for their commitment and trust in these experiments.

We hope that these first successes will form the basis for renewed collaboration!

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If you want to know more about using Lumeen at home, you can also consult our dedicated page: Home care and support

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