This paper presents an empirical study comparing freehand and controller-based interaction modes for older adults in virtual reality (VR). Our findings show a preference for freehand interaction due to its intuitive nature but also highlight challenges such as difficulty with complex tasks without controllers. We propose integrating auxiliary functions and multi-modal feedback to address these issues and enhance accuracy and usability. Additionally, the study underscores the importance of hand exercises facilitated by VR to promote cognitive health. This research provides valuable insights for designing VR systems tailored to older adults, aiming to improve their user experience and cognitive benefits in virtual environments.