Residential care providers are increasingly exploring new tools & techniques to support emotional regulation, reduce anxiety, and improve engagement among people living with cognitive decline. At Jewish Senior Life in Rochester, New York, immersive therapy has become part of everyday memory care, reinforcing a strong commitment to person-centered, non-pharmacological interventions. This post is a summary of an article originally published by Health IT Answers in December 2025.
Immersion powered by Broomx
In 2022, Jewish Senior Life integrated Broomx immersive projection technology into its recreation therapy program. Installed in a modest-sized room, the system uses large-format panoramic visuals and ambient sound to create calm, multisensory environments designed specifically for residents with dementia and cognitive impairment.
Sessions are brief (5–10 minutes) and led by trained recreation therapists. Content—ranging from natural landscapes to familiar hometown scenes—is carefully selected and adapted to each resident’s cognitive abilities, mobility, and emotional state. Sessions can be conducted individually or in small groups, ensuring flexibility and safety.
Observable benefits for residents
Therapists and families have reported clear positive effects. Residents show improved attention, increased verbal expression, and greater social engagement during and after immersive sessions. For residents prone to agitation or restlessness, immersion often results in noticeable calm and emotional regulation.
Immersive scenes are also used as prompts for conversation, reminiscence, and guided relaxation, strengthening therapeutic relationships and supporting meaningful interaction—particularly for residents with limited mobility or reduced access to external environments.
Observable benefits for residents
Therapists and families have reported clear positive effects. Residents show improved attention, increased verbal expression, and greater social engagement during and after immersive sessions. For residents prone to agitation or restlessness, immersion often results in noticeable calm and emotional regulation.
Immersive scenes are also used as prompts for conversation, reminiscence, and guided relaxation, strengthening therapeutic relationships and supporting meaningful interaction—particularly for residents with limited mobility or reduced access to external environments.
Key takeaways for residential care providers
The experience at Jewish Senior Life highlights several important conclusions for organizations considering immersive therapy:
- Immersive technology is most effective when integrated into existing therapeutic frameworks, not used as a standalone novelty.
- Staff facilitation is essential: trained therapists ensure appropriate content selection and resident safety.
- Calm, familiar environments drive the strongest outcomes, especially for residents sensitive to overstimulation.
- Broomx systems are adaptable to residential settings, requiring limited space while delivering high therapeutic value.
Key takeaways for residential care providers
The experience at Jewish Senior Life highlights several important conclusions for organizations considering immersive therapy:
- Immersive technology is most effective when integrated into existing therapeutic frameworks, not used as a standalone novelty.
- Staff facilitation is essential: trained therapists ensure appropriate content selection and resident safety.
- Calm, familiar environments drive the strongest outcomes, especially for residents sensitive to overstimulation.
- Broomx systems are adaptable to residential settings, requiring limited space while delivering high therapeutic value.
By embedding Broomx immersive environments into memory care, Jewish Senior Life demonstrates how technology can humanize care, creating moments of calm, connection, and meaning that enhance residents’ emotional well-being and overall quality of life.
Source: Health IT Answers, December 2025. Summary and adaptation by Broomx.
“To be able to change an environment inside a memory care unit is just amazing; peoplecan literally step into a different moment.”
– Cathy Schwegler, Recreation Therapy Specialist