Fairway View Senior Communities

Virtual Reality at FWV: Exploring the World from Home

March 31, 2025

We’ve been having lots of fun testing out our new virtual reality (VR) equipment at Fairway View! This technology comes from Rendever, a company that specializes in VR technology for senior living communities. The system offers an expansive library of VR experiences and learning features.


When someone puts on a headset, they’re fully immersed in the experience. Meanwhile, everyone else can follow along on the large projector screen. This way, the entire group can share the adventure together.

The VR headsets are comfortable to wear and fit right over eyeglasses. With a full 360-degree view, wearers can look up, down, and all around, making every experience feel incredibly real.


During a recent virtual journey, we tried a variety of exciting experiences, including:

  • Taking educational tours in Canada and Iceland
  • Watching giraffes, elephants, and monkeys roam the African terrain
  • Taking a hot air balloon ride!
  • Visiting a goat farm
  • Viewing the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights)

We are also able to use Google Maps to visit any community or landmark we can think of. In addition to visiting landmarks like Mount Rushmore, during our recent session we visited the hometowns of some of those in the room. It was fun to see the places that are special to our friends!


These VR headsets will not only entertain us as a group but can also be used individually. We can bring them directly to residents’ living spaces for a one-on-one experience, making the technology accessible and enjoyable for all.


We can’t wait to keep exploring … where should we go next? 🤔

Everyone has reported that the VR headsets are very comfortable to wear.

Above: The big screen shows what is being presented on the VR headsets, making this a great group activity. But, while those watching the big screen might just see an elephant, those wearing headsets are so immersed they might feel like they can reach out and touch the animal.

Don't forget to look up! The VR headsets provide a 360 view, meaning you can look up and see the sky above you! The photo above was taken during the Northern Lights experience.

The headsets are easy to take on and off and can be quickly disinfected between uses, ensuring everyone has the opportunity to enjoy them.

Pictured above: The Northern Lights experience. Many people commented on how vibrant the color is on the VR sets, particularly during experiences like this.

Pictured above: We traveled to Graceville, MN and admired the pretty church in town.

Indoor Visitation to resume on January 14th, 2021

By erin • January 12, 2021
Good Afternoon, Fairway View Neighborhoods is excited to announce that indoor visitations will be starting up again on Thursday January 14th. Because we have gone 14 days with no positive tests AND we have been below 10% in the county for 14 days, we are able to open to visitors again. If the county rate goes above 10% again, please know that visitation will be cancelled. Please read the following regarding visitation: All Indoor Visitations must be scheduled through Calendly. Use this link to schedule any visits. https://calendly.com/fwvneighborhoods/visitation All visits will be done in the visitation room in the Town Center. Visitors will be limited to 3 MAX during one visit. Staff will maintain visual observation but provide as much distance as necessary to allow for privacy of the visit conversation. Visitors will be screened for signs and symptoms of COVID-19 at the Town Center entrance. Face masks MUST be worn at all times Social Distancing MUST occur during the visit Access to the inside of the building or bathrooms is limited. Please plan ahead. PHYSICAL CONTACT WILL NOT BE ALLOWED. No hugging/kissing, touching, or physical contact will be allowed. Because this message only goes to the main contact person, please share this information with other family members. If you have questions, please contact your Neighborhood Leader or Nurse Leader.

FWV Senior Communities' Weekly Updates

By erin • October 23, 2020
Click the links below to view our weekly FWV updates. December 3, 2021 November 19, 2021 November 3rd, 2021 October 29th, 2021 October 22nd, 2021 October 15th, 2021 October 7th, 2021 October 1st, 2021 September 24th, 2021 September 17th, 2021 September 10, 2021 September 3rd, 2021 August 27th, 2021 August 13th, 2021 July 30th, 2021 July 23rd, 2021 July 16th, 2021 July 2nd, 202 1 June 25th, 2021 June, 11th 2021 June, 4th, 2021 Friday, May 28th, 2021 Friday, May 21st, 2021 Thursday, May 13th, 2021 Friday, May 7th, 2021 Friday, April 30th, 2021 Friday, April 23, 2021 Friday, January 29th, 2021 Friday, January 22nd, 2021 Friday, January 15th, 2021 Friday, January 8th, 2021 Thursday, December 31st, 2020 Thursday, December 24th, 2020 Friday, December 18th, 2020 Friday, December 11th, 2020 Friday, December 4th, 2020 Friday, November 27th, 2020 Friday, November 20th, 2020 Friday, November 13th, 2020 Tuesday, November 10th, 2020 Friday, October 30th, 2020 Friday, October 23rd, 2020 Friday, October 16th, 2020 Friday, October 9th, 2020 Friday, October 2nd, 2020 Friday, September 25th, 2020 Friday, September 18th 2020 Friday, September 4th 2020 Friday, August 28th 2020 Friday, August 21st 2020 Thursday, August 13th 2020 Friday, August, 7th 2020 Friday, July 31st 2020 Friday, July 24th 2020 Friday, July 17th 2020 Friday July, 10th 2020 Wednesday, July 1st 2020 Friday, June 26th 2020 Friday, June 19th 2020 Friday, June 12th 2020 Friday, June 5th 2020 Friday, May 29th 2020

All Fairway View Staff tests negative for COVID-19

By erin • September 17, 2020
On Monday, September 14th, all of our 160 FWV staff and contracted staff who serve our residents at Fairway View Senior Communities completed our first round of COVID-testing as required by Medicare. We are pleased to share that all 160 staff members tested NEGATIVE for COVID-19. This is wonderful news! We are so appreciative of all that our staff gives of themselves to serve and protect our residents. Thank you to everyone in our organization and community who continues to take the necessary precautions to limit the spread of COVID and protect our seniors and those most vulnerable. The next round of weekly testing, as required by Medicare, will take place on Monday. Per Medicare, effective September 2nd, all 15,600 nursing homes, serving 1.5 million residents across the United States, are required to test all staff for COVID-19 at least one time per month to at most twice per week based on the positivity rate in our county.

FWV Dietary Employee Tests Positive - 8/24/20

By erin • August 24, 2020
Monday, August 24, 2020: Today, a staff member who works in the Dietary Department of Fairway View Senior Communities has tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19). We continue to prioritize the safety and well-being of our residents and employees and are actively preventing the spread of this illness. * We are working with the Minnesota Department of Health to evaluate and respond to the situation. * We are following CDC infection control protocols and practicing good handwashing hygiene and routine cleaning. * We are screening employees at the beginning of their shift for respiratory symptoms, including fever and cough. If you have questions, feel free to call 320-487-4501 or 320 839-4171.

FWV Assisted Living and Memory Care Employee Tests Positive - 8/11/20

By Tracy Bennett • August 12, 2020
Tuesday, August 11, 2020: A staff member of Fairway View Assisted Living and Memory Care has tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19). We have been preparing for this situation and continue to prioritize the safety and well-being of our residents and employees and are actively preventing the spread of this illness. * The individual is doing well and recovering at home with mild symptoms. * We are working with the Minnesota Department of Health to evaluate and respond to the situation. * We are following CDC infection control protocols and practicing good hand washing hygiene and routine cleaning. If you have questions, feel free to call 320-487-4501 or 320 839-4171.

Fairway View Neighborhoods Update- 4/30/2020

By erin • April 30, 2020
We are reaching out today to keep you updated on the current situation at the Neighborhoods. As you know, last week we had a resident test positive for coronavirus (COVID-19). We have determined that this resident had no direct contact with any other residents in the Neighborhoods. At this time we have no other suspected or confirmed cases with residents or staff. We can assure you that your loved one is healthy and doing well. We continue to prioritize the safety and well-being of our residents and employees, and are actively preventing the spread of this illness. We are working with Minnesota Department of Health to respond to the situation. We are following their guidance in preventing further spread of this infection. Our staff have moved from wearing cloth masks to medical grade masks. When they leave work at the end of their shift, we are asking staff to wear cloth masks for their essential outings in the community to further protect themselves from bringing in anything further to the residents. We continue to follow CDC infection control protocols. We continue to screen our employees at the beginning and end of their shift for respiratory symptoms including fever and cough. We encourage you to visit trusted sites like www.cdc.gov to find information and resources about coronavirus. If you have questions or would like updates, please call (320) 487-4528 during regular business hours. The staff at Fairway View Neighborhoods are everyday heroes. They are dedicated to their jobs and they are doing many things above and beyond to keep your loved one healthy and engaged. We are very proud of the work they are doing and will continue to do in the future. Thank you for your continued trust in caring for your loved one. Stay safe and healthy, Cindy Jorgenson, Director of Senior Services Kirsten Karels, Licensed Social Worker
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