A Reminder Of Special Days
Birthdays, graduation, retirement – special occasions where we take the time to get together with those nearest and dearest to us.
These special days serve also as reminders about the importance of spending quality time with those we love.
The New Normal
In the age of COVID-19, however, our “new normal” involves social distancing, wearing of face masks, and limited in-person interaction. To ensure the safety of our loved ones, we all have to think of creative ways to communicate while following these public health guidelines.
Technology has proven to be an especially valuable tool in bridging the barriers created by this global pandemic. Easy-to-use apps like Skype, Zoom, Messenger, or WhatsApp allow for video chats and online messaging. These have helped bring families to connect and spend quality time together.
Some memorable virtual celebrations we have seen include reading heartfelt letters, singing songs together, sharing photographs, and dancing together. Also holding spontaneous entertainment where everyone in the family can participate from all over the world.
A Helpful Technology
New technologies have also been helpful in ensuring that elderly loved ones remain safe during this time.
Remote monitoring systems such as Echo Show 8 and Vericare, for example, can provide long-distance family caregivers. Giving them some level of reassurance and peace of mind. These gadgets allow family members to monitor and check their loved one’s sleep patterns, eating habits, mobility, and more.
Through special sensors installed in the home of a senior living independently. Vericare can monitor, in a non-invasive way, if the senior has left the house, is having trouble sleeping, or, if they have left the stove unattended.
Tochie and Tochtech are examples of technological innovations of an “in-home reminder device”. This is another useful tool that allows family caregivers to record scheduled voice messages to aid in their loved one’s daily routine.
For example, a message can be recorded to prompt their loved ones to take medications at certain times. Another reminder is when to wash their hands or simply just some positive encouragement to provide an uplifting start to the day.
A Sense Of Connection
In many ways, fostering a sense of connection with our loved ones is even more important in this current climate. After all, it’s a key part of boosting our collective mental, emotional, and physical well-being.
This is especially true in the case of seniors, many of whom may be vulnerable to feelings of isolation, depression, and anxiety.
However, thanks to these technological advancements and employing creative ideas. We can create opportunities for greater connection.
