Internet Access
Keeping In Touch Network Ltd provide a companionship service to the elderly and home-bound using Skype. This service delivers voice and visual communication into people's homes, enabling them to have regular, scheduled contact beyond their family and friends.
Engagement in active conversation has been proven to reduce the rate of mental slow-down and will therefore improve the quality of life and extend the opportunity of staying in one's own home further.
Should Broadband be seen as a necessary service to be installed in all new housing developments as a matter of course - so as to facilitate the needs of the customers from the outset?
Peter, we at Telemagenta too have been doing the same for a number of years and have found older people to be very responsive. We have used a range of internet based activities which have proved to be popular.
Therefore, I agree its aa essential service though in my experience its usually accounted for in new build and I'd be surprised if it isn't standard nowadays.
The key issue is installing and supporting internet provision in existing (some very old) schemes. Ive developed a 'drop-in' solution called Digital Lounge because in most cases, IT departments wont support resident internet activity, so its left to the staff to sort out- if at all.
I think the use of Skype and other internet based services is invaluable to the future of services aimed at relieving isolation, and stimulating older people so that their activity helps with any memory loss problems. The issue I have found as a barrier to achieving this is not just the finance, but also the resistance of some older people to the use of IT. I think this could be addressed if there was some funding to allow more support and help with costs of equipment. I think that for those older people who are resistant to the use of IT, there would need to be ongoing activity to introduce people to the possibilities, and help with the management of the equipment, including demonstration of how easy it can be.Within the Health Service there is currently a push towars prevention services and the enablement of older people to be able to maintain their homes with support. I know that there is a move towards this, but I think more investment in telecare, telehealth and internet based socialisation must be made available. It will pay back in terms of the cost of heavier input of services including residential care, and long stays in hospital, it just takes commitment to do it on the part of our health and Social Care Leaders.
Thanks for your comments, please make contact as there could be ways to help each other and ultimately to improve the lives of others. My direct line is: 01948 661 601