SBB University Caregiving Resources | Staying Connected to an Aging Relative

Posted on

Sep 24, 2020

SBB University thanks Benjamin Surmi, MSG | Director of Education and Culture with Koelsch Communities for sharing his expertise on Staying Connected to an Aging Relative: Guidingfamilies through difficult times of distance.
Tools for Staying Connected
How will I stay connected to my aging relative? I cannot visit them in-person for a variety of reasons. Perhaps I cannot because their assisted living no longer permits visitors. Perhaps I cannot because I live far away or live with a disability myself.
Regardless, the plan for staying connected is essential for everyones well-being.

This article is a quick summary with links of the content shared during a 2020online event.You may watch the event by clicking here.
You can download theslideswithphotosof each optionbyclicking here.
On July 19th, the Columbian in Vancouver, WA published a front page story about this important topic.Click hereto read.
Typical Tools
Families commonly use tools like:
Non-New-Tech Typical Tools

Mail by Postal Service
In-Person Visits and Trips
Landline Calls

Typical Tech Tools

Smartphone Calls
Video Chat (FaceTime, Skype, Zoom)
Texting
Email
Sending Photos/Videos from a Smartphone

While this article focuses exclusively on newer age-friendly tech options, consider the following:

Typical tools may work just as good or better than newer tools
Some typical tech tools may not work well for seniors who are at a later stage in their aging journey, live with forgetfulness, or never adopted newer technologies.
Age-friendly tech tools may add new ways to connect to your strategy

Big Three Tech Options
The Big Three Google, Amazon, and Facebook each have an option that may work for some families and some seniors.
They are very affordable with no monthly fee. And, most family members already have accounts with all three services. No new app to learn.
On the other hand, these tools are very affordable as personal data, purchases, and advertising revenue pay for the services. Youll also want to consider whether you have someone in the family with enough know-how to do the initial set-up and protect the elder from unwanted virtual visitors.
portal.facebook.com Dedicated tablet or TV set-top-box
amazon.com -> Echo Show Dedicated tablet on stand.
Google Hub Dedicated tablet on stand.
Age-Friendly Tech Tools
The variety of tools now available gives families the freedom to choose a solution that matches the unique needs of an aging relative. For simplicity, well break them down based on the technical know-how of the senior. Well also mark with tools appear to be dementia friendly.
All tools include family communication as a primary feature.
Every tool below is designed with ease-of-use and safety in mind. Almost every tool below requires setting up approved contacts for their elder, keeping them safe from unwanted callers or video visitors.
The list below is roughly sorted from most-complex-to-use to simplest.
I can navigate a tablet or smartphone with my fingers.
Simple tablets or smartphones designed to make it easy browse the internet, call family members, and other typical tasks. Designers seek to make these tasks fool proof by eliminating as many screens/clicks as possible and enlarging icons.
www.grandpad.com A tablet with cellular data built-in.
www.baldphone.comA simple smart phone interface.
www.oscarsenior.com/for-familiesA simplified app interface.
www.grandcare.com A tablet with monitoring features.
www.famlinet.com A simplified app interface that supports translation between generations, transcribes speech, and converts speech to text.
www.2gether.fun An app that brings family members together with a relative to listen to music together. The app learns which songs bring the most joy to the elder.
I can navigate a tablet by voice.
Each of these options seeks to make the Echo easier for seniors to use.
www.soundmindinc.com
www.briocare.us
I can navigate a TV with a remote.
A familiar, everyday appliance like the TV can now be used for family connection and for connection with a vetted, wider network of fitness, learning, and socialization.
www.kraydel.com
www.heyherbie.com
www.sirona.tv
www.independa.com
www.unipercare.com
I can push 12 buttons on a screen.
These tools are pushing the boundaries of universal design to make sure that anyone, regardless of physical or mental disability can connect with people they care about.
www.noisolation.comNot available in the US yet.Looks and feels like an old fashioned TV but is really a set designed for elders with forgetfulness.
sociavi.com
www.konnekt.com.au
www.viewclix.com
I can answer a phone.
While research does not appear to report the same benefits to phone calls as video chat, some will prefer phone calls to every other communication method. But, what if actually calling the aging relative is not reality?
www.familyjam.ioThe service learns each family members best days and times for talking by phone. The service calls the aging relative and a family member when they are both free to talk.
telecalmprotects.com The service curbs repeat dialing, prevent calling during family quiet hours, and blocks frequent 911 calls or calls to shopping channels.
I recommendusing a phone like thisfor someone with memory loss. And, if using a smart phone, consider using anold-fashioned phone accessory.
I can read or look at printed photos.
For some seniors, reading paper is still the most effective way to communicate. But, writing and mail may not be easy for family members.
www.famileo.com Family and friends can add photos and text to an app; a magazine arrives monthly, bi-weekly, or weekly with the photos and messages.
I can receive messages that play automatically.
SociAvi. ViewClix and Konnekt mentioned above can be set up to answer automatically.
Bonus Options
heartlegacy.com Families can send greetings, messages, and life history stories back and forth. Its specifically designed for senior living communities.
www.cutii.io/en/ Not yet launched. Cutti will be a robot that can move to the senior with video chat on its face.



WRITTEN BY



Benjamin Surmi




Listening to stories of elders in my neighborhood inspired me to take the journey I am on now designing fresh ways for elders living with dementia to thrive.
Learn more about Koelsch Communities:
Arbor Hills Memory Care Community
Saddle Brook Memory Care Community
Meadowbrook Memory Care Community
Riverside Inn at Fossil Creek

Watch the Video Presentation by clicking on the photo below.


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