Care Home Tech to Combat Loneliness

Care homes across North Yorkshire use technology to help residents battle loneliness during Covid-19 lockdown.

17:35 24 May 2020

Care homes across North Yorkshire are using technology to help residents battle loneliness during the Covid-19 lockdown. The facilities provide devices with video calling features that allow residents to communicate with their loved ones as they continue to isolate and follow social distancing protocols.

 

Robert Ling, the County Council's Technology and Change Assistant Director, said: "This is a prime example of why technology is so important in every area of life and the potential it has to change a situation. 

 

"By using this technology, grandparents can see their grandchildren, wives can see their husbands, people can communicate face to face with their families and loved ones without breaking lockdown rules. This helps to maintain people's mental wellbeing in very challenging circumstances." 

 

Dawn Spare, Deputy Manager at Benkhill Lodge, one of the homes to receive the technology, said: "It's really wonderful for our residents to be able to see the faces of their loved ones - we've had a few happy tears from them. 

 

"Having the tablets has been invaluable during this crisis when residents can't see their friends or families when, normally, having visits would be the highlight of their day. It means families can have the 'virtual visits' and it's been brilliant."