Getting Started with VR: Recommended Apps for Older Adults and Dementia Care on Popular Headsets

For families, caregivers, and senior communities beginning to use virtual reality, one of the first questions is often simple: What apps should we actually use? Once a headset is purchased, whether a Meta Quest, Pico device, or PC-connected VR system, the next step is choosing experiences that are comfortable, engaging, and appropriate for older adults, especially those living with cognitive impairment.

The apps below represent some of the most accessible and meaningful experiences currently available on today’s most popular VR headsets. Rather than focusing on fast-paced gaming or complex controls, these applications emphasize relaxation, exploration, creativity, and social connection, qualities that make VR enjoyable and approachable for beginners and seniors alike.

Below is a practical guide to recommended VR apps, organized by headset ecosystem and type of experience.

Recommended Apps for Meta Quest Headsets (Quest 2, Quest 3, Quest 3S)

Meta Quest headsets are currently the most widely used home VR systems because they are standalone and easy to set up. Their large app library includes many experiences well suited for beginners.

Travel and Exploration

• Wander – Allows users to explore real locations worldwide using panoramic street-level imagery. Many older users enjoy revisiting hometowns, former travel destinations, or meaningful places from their past.
  
  

• Google Earth VR – Available via PC connection, this app allows users to explore the globe from above or visit locations in immersive detail.
  
  

Social and Family Connection

• Alcove – Designed with older adults in mind, Alcove provides a comfortable virtual home environment where families can meet, share media, play simple games, or explore environments together.
  
  

Media and Relaxation

• YouTube VR – Offers access to immersive 360° videos, concerts, nature scenes, travel documentaries, and familiar media in an easy-to-use format.
  
  

• Guided Meditation or relaxation apps – Many Quest apps provide calming environments with guided breathing or relaxation sessions, useful for anxiety reduction and quiet engagement.
  
  

Creative and Gentle Engagement

• Open Brush – A relaxed painting experience where users can create art in three-dimensional space without pressure or time limits.
  
  

• First Steps / First Contact – Introductory experiences included with Meta Quest headsets that teach users basic VR interaction in a gentle, playful way.
  
  

Recommended Apps for Pico Headsets

Pico headsets are growing in popularity and offer similar experiences to Quest systems, particularly for seated and relaxed VR sessions.

Travel and Exploration

• Wander or equivalent travel apps allow users to explore real-world environments in immersive panoramic views, often used for reminiscence sessions.
  
  

Relaxation Experiences

• Nature and mindfulness experiences featuring beaches, forests, gardens, and other calming environments are commonly available and ideal for stress reduction.
  
  

Media Viewing

• YouTube 360° or compatible immersive video players allow users to enjoy familiar media or travel footage with minimal interaction required.
  
  

Recommended Apps for PC-Connected VR Systems (HTC Vive, Valve Index, etc.)

Some homes or care centers use PC-connected VR systems, which provide access to additional applications when supervised properly.

Travel and Exploration

• Google Earth VR remains one of the most powerful exploration tools, allowing users to revisit meaningful locations worldwide.
  
  

Shared Viewing and Media

• Bigscreen enables users to watch movies or shared media in virtual theater environments, useful for group viewing or family sessions.
  
  

Creative Experiences

• Open Brush offers a creative outlet through immersive painting, encouraging relaxation and expression without physical strain.
  
  

Choosing the Right Apps for Older Users

The most successful VR sessions usually involve applications that are:

• Seated or stationary experiences that minimize fall risk and dizziness
  
  

• Familiar or emotionally meaningful environments that encourage memory recall
  
  

• Simple to navigate, requiring minimal controller use
  
  

• Comfortable and calming rather than visually overwhelming
  
  

• Suitable for shared or social experiences
  
  

Introducing VR slowly and choosing appropriate content can make the difference between curiosity and discomfort.

Final Thoughts

Virtual reality does not need to be complicated or overwhelming to be meaningful. For older adults and people living with dementia, the best VR experiences are often the simplest ones, standing beside the ocean again, visiting a familiar neighborhood, painting in a virtual studio, or sharing a travel experience with family.

The apps listed above provide gentle entry points into immersive technology. When thoughtfully introduced, they can create moments of curiosity, conversation, and connection that enrich daily life.

In the end, VR is not about replacing reality. It is about expanding access to experiences that remain deeply human: exploration, creativity, relaxation, and shared memories.