  The rapid development of virtual reality technology has increased its
availability and, consequently, increased the number of its possible
applications. The interest in the new medium has grown due to the entertainment
industry (games, VR experiences and movies). The number of freely available
training and therapeutic applications is also increasing. Contrary to popular
opinion, new technologies are also adopted by older adults. Creating virtual
environments tailored to the needs and capabilities of older adults requires
intense research on the behaviour of these participants in the most common
situations, towards commonly used elements of the virtual environment, in
typical sceneries. Comfortable immersion in a virtual environment is key to
achieving the impression of presence. Presence is, in turn, necessary to obtain
appropriate training, persuasive and therapeutic effects. A virtual agent (a
humanoid representation of an algorithm or artificial intelligence) is often an
element of the virtual environment interface. Maintaining an appropriate
distance to the agent is, therefore, a key parameter for the creator of the VR
experience. Older (65+) participants maintain greater distance towards an agent
(a young white male) than younger ones (25-35). It may be caused by differences
in the level of arousal, but also cultural norms. As a consequence, VR
developers are advised to use algorithms that maintain the agent at the
appropriate distance, depending on the user's age.
