Newt's World Ep. 945: Virtual Reality for Seniors

Host: Newt Gingrich
Guest: Chris Brickler, Co-founder & CEO of Mind Immersive
Date: February 12, 2026

Overview:

This episode delves into how virtual reality (VR) technology is revolutionizing health, wellness, and quality of life for seniors. Newt Gingrich hosts Chris Brickler, CEO of Mind Immersive, to explore the use of VR to combat isolation, support cognitive and physical therapy, and offer enriching experiences to older adults and veterans. The discussion focuses on both the technological innovations and the purposeful application of VR to address pressing challenges in the aging population.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Chris Brickler’s Background & the Inspiration Behind Mind Immersive

• Early tech and telecom experience: Chris’s early fascination with telecommunications (inspired by the AT&T breakup) and later work at GTE/Verizon and British Telecom gave him a front-row seat to the internet’s development.
• Creative tech pivot: After years in Silicon Valley and video streaming, Chris was drawn to VR not for gaming, but for its human-centric potential—particularly after seeing dementia in his family.
  • Quote: “I wasn't interested in the teenage gaming ... I was actually more interested in how this technology could help humanity.” — Chris Brickler (05:53)
• First thesis: The initial idea was to use VR for dementia care (2016). Years of R&D followed, focusing on VR’s power to lift seniors out of isolation and stimulate memories.

The Synergy of Technologies Making VR Effective for Seniors

• Multiple tech convergences: The maturing of visual display, large data transfer rates, AI, and spatial computing created the perfect setting for powerful VR applications.
• Emotional impact of VR:
  • Quote: “You felt like you were on a 60 story building ... even though you knew you were in a room.” — Newt Gingrich (06:29)
  • Brickler highlights pulling people “out of their four walls” with transportive experiences, from concerts to space station tours—fostering engagement, joy, and cognitive stimulation.
    • Quote: “We can pull these folks out of their four walls … into a place that reconnects their consciousness with music, with art, with travel.” — Chris Brickler (07:30)
• Data collection for healthcare: VR with AI allows collection of movement and reaction data, giving caregivers valuable health and rehab feedback.

Examples of VR Content & Its Impact

• Simulated adventures: Partnerships with National Geographic let users visit the International Space Station or travel Route 66 virtually, sparking both new joy and old memories—even in those with dementia.
  • Quote: “If you have done it and possibly have dementia in later years ... this experience can unlock memories like we've never seen any technology unlock.” — Chris Brickler (11:56)
• Potential for broader applications: Discussed how VR could be used for public STEM inspiration—e.g., virtual trips to the Moon.

Focus on Serving the Aging Population

• Demographic imperative: America faces a historic shift—soon, more people over 65 than under 18.
  • The caregiving gap is growing; VR can help fill it by offering engagement, therapy, and relief from loneliness.
  • Quote: “We've never seen a technology that can captivate an individual, provide engagement and help solve some of the loneliness problem that we have in America.” — Chris Brickler (15:50)
• Foundational work in dementia care: Inspired by co-founder Sean Waiora’s use of music therapy in nursing homes. Merging this with VR led to Mind’s launch in 2016.

Current Reach and Implementation (17:37–21:40)

• Widespread adoption: Mind is in ~45 states, hundreds of senior living and rehab centers, and veterans’ facilities.
  • Quote: “Every time we put a headset out there, it just reaches people's lives and improves their daily health, their daily mood, helps to reduce their anxiety, their stress.” — Chris Brickler (18:36)
• Largest VA VR network in the U.S.: VR helps veterans with emotional and cognitive rehab.

The Great American Elder Verse & Reaching Underserved Seniors (19:09)

• Collaborating with the Consumer Technology Association: Donations fund access for underserved senior communities.
• Foundations like the Steven and Alexandra Cohen Foundation: Supported deployment to 60+ New York area facilities.
  • Quote: “This is part of our purpose, is to bring this technology to all older adults, not just the economic class that have the money to afford this.” — Chris Brickler (20:08)

Expanding Therapeutic and Rehab Use (20:30)

• Occupational and physical therapy: VR helps stroke survivors relearn skills (e.g., making coffee, recognizing hazards).
• Canada, UK, Australia: Mind is expanding internationally.

Academic and Healthcare Community Response (23:57–26:15)

• Substantial research partnerships:
  • Studies with the VA, Stanford, and a CMS-sponsored nursing home study in Indiana.
  • Exceptional findings:
    • 91% of participants reported decreased isolation.
    • 88% would recommend Mind.
  • Quote: "That was a data point that we were not expecting to be that high." — Chris Brickler (25:30)
• Clinical validation is driving adoption: Hospitals and care systems are taking note; VR is scalable and cost-effective.

Access for Individuals & Home Use (26:15–27:36)

• Currently distributed through care organizations (long-term care, VA, rehab, etc.).
• Prescribed for veterans at home: New VA program lets clinicians prescribe Mind for anxiety, stress, depression, and cognitive decline.
• Potential for rural and homebound: VR offers unique support for isolated individuals.

The Future of Mind Immersive and VR in Healthcare (28:08–31:54)

• Focus on aging now, scope for broader impact: Platform suited for pediatrics, pain, stress, and mental health support.
• AT&T partnership: Enables connected VR devices for home-based care and continuous content/AI support.
• AI-powered health tracking: Fine-grained monitoring of range of motion, cognition, and neuroplasticity; data supports personalized care plans.
• Government and institutional buy-in: VA’s support is helping institutionalize VR as a standard of care.

Getting Involved & Next Steps (32:20)

• Simple onboarding for care facilities: Interested centers can demo and get devices for staff and resident use.
• Website: Learn more at mindimmersive.com.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On why VR for seniors, not gamers:
  “When the birds fly south, I always fly north… I started looking at the aging population… We have a way that we can help fix that.” — Chris Brickler (15:07)

• On unlocking old memories with VR:
  “If you have done it and possibly have dementia in later years, what we know is this experience can unlock memories like we've never seen any technology unlock.” — Chris Brickler (11:56)

• On impact in nursing home studies:
  “91% over this huge study with CMS reported a decrease in isolation using MIND. That was a data point that we were not expecting to be that high.” — Chris Brickler (25:09)

• On the nation’s demographic challenge:
  “When we think about, in six years from today, we will have more people that are 65 or older in the United States than 18 or younger … it creates a massive gap in care.” — Chris Brickler (14:59)

• On the accessible future of VR in healthcare:
  “An affordable technology that’s going to change a lot of lives over the next few years.” — Chris Brickler (26:09)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [03:00] Chris Brickler’s journey to founding Mind Immersive
• [07:12] The synergy of multiple technologies in VR
• [08:54] Data-driven health and memory tracking with VR
• [11:17] Creating meaningful, emotional experiences in VR
• [14:45] Focus and motivation for serving the senior demographic
• [16:36] The spark for Mind: Music therapy and dementia care
• [17:37] Current scope of implementation, focus on veteran care
• [19:09] The Great American Elder Verse and reaching underserved seniors
• [23:57] Results from clinical studies and academic response
• [26:15] Access for individuals and at-home programs
• [28:08] The future: AI diagnostic tools and broader healthcare impact
• [32:20] How care centers and individuals can get involved

Tone and Style

The conversation is thoughtful, solutions-focused, and optimistic. Newt’s historian/futurist curiosity pairs well with Chris’s tech passion and empathy, yielding an episode full of practical hope and heartfelt stories.

For more:
Visit mindimmersive.com for information, demos, and contact details.