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VR for Seniors: A Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Elders Started on Meta Quest

von Atom Bomb Body



My journey of sharing VR with my parents has been a learning experience spanning several years. A few years back, I bought them a Quest 2, excited to share this new technology. Like many first-time VR users, they found it cool initially but the headset ended up gathering dust. Looking back, I realize why - my dad, who usually handles tech setup for the family, took the lead, which meant my mom never really learned how to use it herself.

The turning point came recently when I told my mom about Supernatural, a VR fitness app. As someone who enjoyed following along with DVD cardio workouts and wanted to exercise more, this caught her interest. The idea of working out in beautiful virtual locations while getting guidance from instructors resonated with her in a way that earlier VR experiences hadn't. This led to gifting her a Meta Quest 3S, but this time, with a different approach to learning and setup.

Interestingly, seeing my mom's renewed interest prompted my dad to dust off the Quest 2. He discovered Eleven Table Tennis and found his own niche in VR. Now, my mom and I meet regularly for virtual workouts in Supernatural, and family game nights mean gathering in Walkabout Mini Golf, regardless of the physical distance between us. They've both gone from being intimidated by the technology to confidently using their headsets with minimal help.

Note: This guide includes some affiliate links for Meta Quest games. Using these links gives you a 10% discount on your purchase while providing a small commission to support future content. All recommendations are based on genuine experience and what worked best for my family.

Hardware and Setup Essentials

Choosing Your Headset

This guide focuses on Meta Quest headsets because they offer the easiest entry point into VR - they're completely portable, require no PC or additional equipment, and are simple to set up. The Meta Quest 3S starts at $299.99, while the Meta Quest 3 begins at $499.99. The 3S offers an ideal balance of features that matter most for older users:

  • Excellent clarity for reading text and seeing virtual environments

  • Comfortable weight distribution for longer sessions

  • Clear Mixed Reality features that help ease the transition into VR

  • Reliable controller tracking that reduces frustration

  • Quick startup and app loading times

Meta_Quest_3S_4

The main differences between the 3S and standard Quest 3 (like reduced processing power and slightly lower screen resolution) typically won't impact the types of experiences most older adults enjoy, like fitness apps, social games, and virtual tourism.

Vision Solutions

For users who wear glasses, comfort and clear vision are essential for an enjoyable VR experience. You have several options:

  1. Use the included glasses spacer - The Quest comes with a spacer that creates extra room for glasses. It's a good starting point and easy to install.

  2. Prescription lens inserts - For a more comfortable, long-term solution, consider custom prescription lens inserts from VR Wave. These snap directly onto your Quest lenses, eliminating the need for glasses entirely. They offer:

    • Better comfort during longer sessions

    • No risk of scratching your glasses or Quest lenses

    • Clearer field of view compared to wearing glasses with the spacer

    • Optional blue light and anti-glare filters

quest3s_2

Family Sharing and Multiple Headsets

Our family discovered an efficient setup that might work well for yours. My parents share a Quest 3S, maintaining separate profiles to keep their individual progress and settings. This arrangement allows them to share the same game library, making it cost-effective while preserving personal preferences. When it comes to multiplayer gaming, our older Quest 2 becomes invaluable as a second headset, enabling family game sessions. This dual-headset setup means my mom can use the Quest 3S for her Supernatural workouts while my dad enjoys table tennis on the Quest 2. When we gather for family games like Walkabout Mini Golf, having both headsets means everyone can join in.

If you have an older Quest model, don't retire it! Having a second headset opens up opportunities for family multiplayer sessions, making VR a more social and engaging experience for everyone involved.

Getting Started: A Step-by-Step Guide

The following approach worked well with my mom, but everyone learns differently. You know your family member best and can adapt these steps to match their learning style and comfort level. The key is patience - don't rush through the process. I recommend leaving at least a day between sessions, giving them time to process what they've learned and explore independently.

Before starting, I highly recommend getting an anti-fatigue mat with a slightly grippy surface for their play area. While the Quest's guardian boundary works well, having a physical mat helps them feel when they've drifted from their safe play space. It's a simple addition that made my mom much more confident moving in VR.

Proximat

Day 1: Building Foundation Through Independent Setup

The first day's goal is crucial: helping your loved one develop confidence with VR through hands-on setup experience. Rather than doing everything for them, let them take the lead while you act as a guide. When I used this approach with my mom, it made a huge difference in her long-term comfort with the technology.

Start with the Meta Horizon app setup. Have them create their Meta account while you sit nearby to answer questions. This early independence helps them understand the basic interface and account management. When my mom went through this process herself, she learned the fundamental navigation that would help her later with in-headset menus.

Once past the account creation, have them cast their headset view to the Meta Horizon app or your laptop so you can see what they're seeing. Here's how:

  • Have them Open ‘Quick Settings’ by clicking on the time in the headset

  • Select Cast option

  • Choose the mobile app or web browser as the destination

  • Accept the casting prompt

This setup lets you see what they're seeing without taking over, allowing you to offer precise guidance when needed. When helping my mom, being able to see her view made it much easier to explain things like "look at the menu in the bottom right" or "press the button on your left controller."

After completing setup, we celebrated with First Encounters, which comes included on the Quest. This "reward" for getting through setup gave her a taste of the headset’s potential while staying in the comfort of mixed reality, where she could still see her surroundings. Starting with this simple experience let her appreciate VR without the pressure of learning complex controls.

Day 2: Introducing Supernatural (A Few Days Later)

Our second session focused entirely on Supernatural, as the fitness aspect really appealed to my mom and was the primary reason for getting the headset in the first place. We spent time setting up her subscription/credit card information and going through the app's tutorials together, ensuring she was comfortable with all the basic movements and interface navigation. The session culminated in her completing her first solo workout.

Starting with an app she was genuinely excited about helped maintain momentum. The break between Day 1 and 2 was important - it gave her time to process what she'd learned and build anticipation for trying something new.

Day 3: Family Connection Through Mini Golf

By the third session, we were ready to experience virtual reality through Walkabout Mini Golf. Before jumping into gameplay, we spent some time personalizing her experience by customizing her avatar - a fun way to make VR feel more personal.

Then came an important lesson: movement in VR. I explained the two main options - teleporting and smooth movement. We started with teleporting as it's often more comfortable for beginners, showing her how to point and click to move around the course. Once she felt confident with that, we tried smooth movement with the joystick, practicing small movements at first. 

The mini golf controls themselves were another learning step - how to grab and position the putter, how to line up shots, and how to adjust your stance. We took it hole by hole, and by the third or fourth hole, she was navigating and playing with growing confidence.

What made this session special wasn't just learning new controls - it was showing how VR could bring family together despite physical distance. By the end of the session, she was focused more on our conversation and friendly competition than on the technology itself, which was exactly what we'd hoped for.

Remember to keep initial sessions short and end them while the experience is still fun and engaging. This leaves them looking forward to the next session rather than feeling overwhelmed or frustrated. In our case, these three sessions built a foundation that led to independent VR use - my mom for her workouts, and eventually, regular family golf sessions.

Walkabout Mini Golf

Suggested Games by Price and Experience Level

These games are organized by both cost and how easy they are to get into. I recommend starting with the free/easy options and moving up as comfort with VR increases.

Free and Easy to Start With

Paid but Beginner-Friendly

Medium Difficulty (Once Basic VR Controls are Comfortable)

Advanced (For Those Well-Adjusted to VR)

Remember: This is just a suggested progression. Some people might pick up certain games faster than others. I have these games on my own headset if family members want to try them before buying.

The key is to start with simpler experiences and gradually move to more complex ones as their VR confidence grows. If you have access to your own headset, having them try games on yours first can help them decide what they enjoy before making purchases.

What Made the Second Try Successful

The contrast between our first and second attempts at introducing VR reveals valuable lessons. During our first try with the Quest 2, we fell into familiar family patterns - my dad handled the tech setup, and while both parents found VR interesting, they never developed the confidence to use it independently.

The second attempt succeeded because we took a different approach. We identified applications that connected with their personal interests - Supernatural aligned perfectly with my mom's love of guided workouts, while Eleven Table Tennis captured my dad's competitive spirit. We prioritized independent learning, especially for my mom who previously relied on dad for tech setup. The structured, gradual approach to learning basics made the technology less intimidating.

Most importantly, we transformed VR from a solo activity into family time. Regular virtual meetups for mini golf and workouts created lasting engagement. By focusing on their interests, maintaining a patient learning pace, and emphasizing social connection, what started as a dusty Quest 2 evolved into a daily part of their lives.

If you're planning to introduce VR to your older family members - or trying again after a false start - remember that success comes from finding the right approach for each person. Consider their interests, respect their learning pace, and create opportunities for shared experiences. Sometimes the second try, with the right strategy, makes all the difference.

Now both parents use VR regularly in their own ways. My mom enjoys her Supernatural workouts, while my dad alternates between table tennis and mini golf. What started as a dusty Quest 2 has evolved into a daily part of their lives, with both headsets getting regular use, and I am very grateful.

 


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