The Creation of Immersive Travel Experiences and Their Effect on Reducing Social Isolation

目前，老年人的社会孤立和孤独问题日益严重，这与一系列有害的身心健康问题密切相关，包括发病率增加、认知能力下降、高血压、心脏病、抑郁症和阿尔茨海默病。政府在支持卫生和社会护理机构的资源方面面临越来越大的压力，社会经济环境中的流动性减少和不平等给护理结构带来了压力。此外，家庭分散的速度越来越快，老年人的人口越来越多，这表明社会孤立和孤独可能成为未来十年的一个日益严重的社会挑战。这与老年人由于行动能力下降和社交圈缩小而缺乏可以参与的社交和娱乐活动有关。研究表明，通过同等程度地减少老年人的孤独感，可以显著降低死亡率。有研究表明，通过沉浸式娱乐体验，可以改善社会联系。研究表明，沉浸式娱乐体验具有许多恢复性的好处，这些好处是与自然环境的真实接触所提供的，并且有可能创造出刺激社会的环境。本研究的目的是探索使用虚拟和沉浸式的休闲旅游体验，以增加面临社会孤立的老年人的社会化。为此，将创建两种沉浸式体验，包括一种虚拟现实（VR）和一种度假目的地的多感官模拟体验（MSSE），并与参与者分享。这些将使用户能够在自己家中和同龄人的舒适中体验假期，同时增加他们的社交能力。事实上，小组活动减少了老年人的社会孤立，改善了他们的认知功能和生活质量。本研究旨在为老年人的社会隔离提供一个解决方案。因此，本研究建立在威廉姆斯和霍布森（1995）以及Cheong（1995）等作者的最初前提之上，他们提出VR（现在可以说是替代沉浸式混合现实体验），提供了旅行本身的替代品，和De Greef et al（2016），他们认为沉浸式远程呈现旅游为行动受限的参与者创造了更多参与娱乐活动的机会。采用四阶段以用户为中心的方法，这项研究在生活条件的连续性中跨越了三个点，从独立生活，生活在庇护住所，最后是长期住宿照顾，以评估沉浸式旅行体验对促进社会孤立成员的社会联系和沟通的机会。本研究采用定性方法收集数据。在第一阶段，将进行一系列访谈，以了解参与者的旅行经历和愿望。然后，这两种体验将与纽马克特旅游公司合作，在选定的目的地使用360度摄像头进行设计。一旦开发出来，这些将被证明给参与者谁居住在与社会隔离根据文献相关的生活设施。这些人将通过与Age UK的合作获得访问权限。在这些沉浸式研讨会结束后，用户将参加一个非正式的焦点小组，他们将根据自己的经验被问到问题，这将是后续的深入访谈。本研究的第四阶段包括通过制作报告和交付半

There is currently an increasing issue of social isolation and loneliness among older adults which is highly associated with an array of detrimental physical and mental health issues including increased morbidity, cognitive decline, high blood pressure, heart disease, depression and Alzheimer's disease. The government faces increasing pressure regarding resources to support health and social care agencies and reduced mobility and inequalities in socio-economic circumstances place pressure on care structures. Moreover, the increasing rate of family dispersal and the growing population of older adults suggests that social isolation and loneliness are likely to become a rising societal challenge over the coming decade. This has been associated with a lack of socialisation and recreational activities in which older adults can engage in as a result of their decreased mobility and narrowing social circles. Studies indicate that a significant reduction in mortality could be achieved through an equal reduction of isolation among older adults.There has been research which suggests that social connectedness can be improved through immersive recreational experiences. Research suggests immersive recreational experiences possess many of the restorative benefits which authentic engagements with natural surroundings offer, and have the potential to create socially stimulating environments. The purpose of this research is to explore the use of virtual and immersive recreational travel experiences in order to increase socialisation among older adults facing social isolation. To do so, two immersive experiences including one virtual reality (VR) and one multi-sensory simulation experience (MSSE) of holiday destinations will be created and shared with participants. These will afford users, whom may otherwise be largely immobile, to experience a holiday from the comfort of their own home and in the comfort of their peers, whilst increasing their socialisation. Indeed, group activities reduce the social isolation of older adults and improve their cognitive function and quality of life. This research aims to provide a solution to the social isolation experienced among older adults.This research therefore builds upon the initial premise of authors such as Williams and Hobson (1995) and Cheong (1995) who proposed that VR (and arguably now alternative immersive, mixed reality experiences), provide a substitute to travel itself, and De Greef et al (2016) who suggest immersive telepresence tourism creates opportunities for increased engagement in recreational activities for mobility-restricted participants.Adopting a four-phased user-centred approach, this research works across three points in the continuum of living conditions, from independent living, living in sheltered accommodation and finally, long-term residential care, to evaluate the opportunities that immersive travel experiences have on facilitating social connectedness and communication for socially isolated members of society. This research adopts a qualitative approach to data collection. In the first phase a series of interviews will take place in order to understand participants travel experiences and desires. Then, the two experiences will be designed using a 360-degree camera in the selected destinations, in partnership with Newmarket Travel. Once developed, these will be demonstrated to participants whom reside in living accommodations associated with social isolation in accordance with the literature. Access will be granted to these individuals through partnership with Age UK. Upon the completion of these immersive workshops users will partake in an informal focus group where they will be asked questions based on their experience, this will be followed up with in-depth interviews.The fourth phase of this study includes the development of recommendations for adopting immersive travel experiences in residential centred care through the production of reports and delivery of semi