Call it virtual reality with a twist — because this is nogame.

In a variation of walking a mile in another’s shoes, GenworthFinancial Inc. has developed a suit simulating the physical effectsassociated with aging. The suit allows wearers to get at leastan idea of what it’s like to get older and be subject to thelimitations of hearing, vision and mobility that often crop up asthe years pass.

The Genworth R70, billed as the first of its kind, is anage-simulation suit that Genworth says will “help raise awarenessabout the need for long-term care planning and educate the publicon the physical effects associated with aging.”

The suit, according to the company, “provides consumers with apowerful experience, allowing them to understand and empathize withwhat it feels like to grow old.”

Genworth, of course, will be using the suit to show people whatit can be like to be among the “70 percent of Americans who willrequire” long-term care after they turn 65. The suit simulates a number ofage-related “afflictions” that will drive home the need forassistance when sight, hearing and mobility are affected.

To that end, it features a “state-of-the-art” helmet that isacoustically muffled, simulating age-related hearing loss. It alsosports lenses that “simulate declines in vision plus the commonvision disorders that occur with aging (e.g. glaucoma, cataracts,diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration).”

The wearer’s mobility is kept in check by “restrictivefabrication that gives the effect of arthritis in the knees, spineand elbows,” while boots simulate balance disorder for thenow-unsteady wearer. There’s also a “restrictive internalmechanism” that simulates “the problems that older peopleexperience with posture.”

And to complete the effect, “gloves that impair dexterity,similar to the effects of arthritis, and weights to simulate muscleloss in the arms” will show what it’s like not to be able to dosimple things, like carry groceries, change light bulbs, open jarsor even turn doorknobs.

The suit, which made its debut at the Social Innovation Summitin Silicon Valley, might actually attract young people interestedin trying it out, since it has some pretty impressive credentialsbehind its design. According to the company, “the Genworth R70 wascreated in association with Hollywood special effects studioSpectral Motion (X-Men, Hellboy), costumedesigner Erin Benach (Drive, Place Beyond thePines and Midnight Special) and illustrator ChristianCordella (Captain America, Iron Man 3, 300:Rise of the Empire).”

But there’s authenticity behind this exercise in virtualreality. Dr. Edward Schneider, dean emeritus/professor at theUniversity of Southern California’s Leonard Davis School ofGerontology, “consulted on the project from the beginning to ensurethat the simulations were authentic to the aging process,”according to Genworth.

While Genworth plans to use the suit throughout 2015 “as a toolto continue educating the public on the effects of aging,” drivinghome to consumers what it’s like to need help, the firm alsointends that people should have the experience of wearing it “as asensitivity training tool.”