For many of today's older adults, living hundreds or even thousands of miles away from family is an unfortunate but necessary reality. The challenge for senior living providers is to make that distance seem as short as possible.
Even if there's no way to make a twice-a-year visit a weekly one, there are certainly things we can do to make families feel more connected - and that's the key. One of the most successful initiatives that my organization, CRL Senior Living Communities, has done is to create one or more videoconferencing terminals in each of our residences.
The setup is simple. All you really need is a computer (touch-screen monitors are more convenient for residents, but not essential) and a webcam. We use the popular videoconferencing service Skype, which is free, so that total cost of the terminal is just a few hundred dollars. With limited training - and sometimes a little help from staff - most residents are able to log in and start chatting in real time with loved ones virtually anywhere in the world.
While a weekly phone call from children is always welcome, there's an emotional connection created by these visual interactions that you can't replace with other media - often we see residents with a broad smile on their face as they talk and laugh with the people they care about most. The experience is particularly powerful for seniors with small grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who they can suddenly see growing up.
One of the great things about videoconferencing is how easy it is to do. E-mail can be tricky for some residents to pick up, but once the Skype connection is made, it's as easy as looking at the screen and talking. The experience of a CRL resident named Marguerite is fairly typical: "It is easier for me to use Skype because I have a difficult time typing. Skype allows me to communicate one-on-one with my great-grandsons. And they get to see me on a regular basis!"
Videoconferencing is also great for the many seniors with hearing impediments; seeing the other person talking helps them pick up certain words that might get lost in a phone conversation.
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One of our newer programs, called Skype Pals, helps build on these capabilities. Instead of communicating just with family members, we're encouraging seniors to communicate with peers from across our 16 communities by paring them with people who have similar interests. We're continuing to develop the initiative, but the initial reaction has been fantastic - it's always great to see seniors in their 70s on up who are still sharing their great passions in life.
Currently, about a quarter of our residents are using the video terminals and our goal is to see that number rise to 50 percent next year. I firmly believe that one of the best things a senior housing provider can do is help elders stay connected and engaged with the world outside. What services like Skype provide is the ability to experience relationships in a more meaningful way, even if they can't always be in the same place.
Ari Weinberger is the president and CEO of CRL Senior Living Communities, which operates 16 independent living, assisted living and Alzheimer's/memory care communities in Wisconsin and Illinois.
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