ROUND ROCK, Texas — While using new technology, a group is looking to spark old memories for those living with dementia.
"I can't remember because my memory isn't that good anymore," said Rita Hoffman, who has been a part of the AGE Central Texas Adult Center in Round Rock for quite some time now.
It's a walk down memory lane for Hoffman, who constantly has to remember old memories.
She is among the thousands of people living with dementia, which is the loss of memory, reasoning and thinking that affects people in their daily life.
A new virtual reality device is helping those combating dementia to reprocess old memories.
The idea is to use a headset and headphones to stimulate people's brains and transport them into a different world.
"You ought to see this," said Hoffman with excitement. "They are beautiful."
"It's like I'm right there with those pandas," she said, the virtual reality goggles showing a group of pandas playing in the grass.
"When you have dementia, the brain is shrinking, so it affects their memories and it's hard for them to cope," said Lauren Greenwade, program director at AGE of Central Texas.
"I had pets," said Hoffman. "It wasn't a lion but it was related to the lion family."
"Was it a cat," she questioned. "Yeah, it was a cat and it had long whiskers!"
"This is great because it takes them back to places they've seen and it clicks in their memories," Greenwade explained.
"Seeing their reaction in trying to touch them and experience all over again is really heartwarming to see," Kerry Sherin said, spokesperson with Virtual Reality Rentals.
This technology is making it easier for someone with dementia to simply remember.
"There's been proven cases that it helps take away pain and resurface old memories," Sherin explained.
This virtual adventure is helping the most beloved life memories not to fade away, so those like Hoffman hold on to the memory they have left.
For details on the virtual reality devices, click here.