Fun Technology for Older People

Tahir IdrisAssistive Technology Manager

Diane EmmisonManager, Manor Gardens

Who Are We?

• One the country’s largest housing providers

• In-house team to deliver technological solutions for older/ disabled/ vulnerable people

• 10 + years history in AssistiveTechnologies

• Traditional Telecare/Telehealth- worthy but..

• BEYOND that is where the fun is….!

Fun Technology

• Not obviously medical/ safety related

• Existing, proven technologies

• Applied differently• What do they do?• Funding

Music & Multimedia

Photos

Interactive Noticeboards

Talking Books

• Text converted to synthesised speech

• Photo Album format• Flexible and

Tailored• Languages

Simplified Operation of PC

• No learning of PC protocols necessary

• One finger is sufficient

YouTube

Electronic Bingo

• Large Text• Clear Voice• Fun!

‘Video/Talk’ Box

Manor Gardens

• Background• Technology

infrastructure• Additional

Devices• Tech support

from staff

Digital Screens

• Learned from interactive screens

• Signage• Newsletters/Notices

• Weather• News• Annoucements• Activities

Tom

• Mr Hanson moved into Manor Gardens with limited computer knowledge & very keen to learn more

• With On Going learning & Support from other Staff & Other Customers with Computer Knowledge Mr Hanson uses video box & e-mail daily

• “Helped me get in contact with my Son who lives in Australia and contact 17 Cousins who I have never met ! This has increased my knowledge and increased my Communication to close family “

• “ I have been writing my memoirs and I have now put them on disk – this is a great piece of history for my family”

Carol• Mrs N uses the

computer to watch Re-Runs of the Paul O’Grady Show.

• With Support from Activity Co-ordinator this has increased her social skills and enabled her to feel part of the community.

• “I love to Watch Paul O’Grady over and over it makes me feel happy”

Kathleen

• Mrs G suffers from Dementia and enjoys life to the full. She enjoys social life and enjoys to reminisce about the past

• Activity Co-ordinator introduced You Tube to Mrs G. The time spent watching “Clips from Old Films and Adverts” has encouraged Mrs G to talk more and remember past events.

Lessons Learned

• No technology should be off limits

• Better to make it accessible and easy/fun to use…. For all

• Potentially huge impact on lives

• Persist and Support• Focus on what it does

not the technology itself

Future..?

• Devices which integrate a number of the best features in one unit

• ‘Mainstreaming’ fun technology

• It will be expected from us

• Residents paying for the facilities?

THANK YOU

• tahir.idris@placesforpeople.co.uk

• diane.emmison@placesforpeople.co.uk