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Using Technology to Address Isolation

Using Technology to Address Isolation

Summary

Digital display boards were installed in local care homes, using technology and contact between generations to combat isolation and loneliness. The board focussed on positive news in the local community and was used to celebrate residents’ birthdays. They also had ‘on this day in history’ information which helps encourage older people to share their memories and stories, up-to-date information on the weather and communicating events both in the nursing home and the local community for residents and their visitors. The board would be updated weekly – remotely from our school and entirely by students during term time.

How does it work?

  • Students update software on a school PC
  • The TV is connected to the app and WIFI via an Amazon Firestick
  • It can be updated whenever we want or on a schedule
  • Nursing staff do not need to be involved with any hardware (we can even turn the TV on/off at a set time).

Environmental impact

  • The reduction of paper-based advertising of information and events for the nursing home and community not only reduces the amount of waste paper and litter but stops the unnecessary cutting down of trees and the associated energy usage associated with the creation of paper and the transport to the shops.
  • We can reduce the carbon footprint through the efficient use of the technology to turn on and off at key times.

Key facts

Main target group: Both younger and older people (i.e. intergenerational)

Other target group(s): families of people in care homes

Sector(s): Education, Long-term care

Desired outcome for older people:
Learn, grow and make decisions

Other issues the Age-friendly practice aims to address:
  • Accessibility
  • Ageing in place
  • Intergenerational activities
  • Technologies

Contact details

Name: Jackie Nixon

Email address: jackie.nixon@sunderland.gov.uk

Age-friendly practice in detail (click to expand):

Engaging the wider community

Project lead: Volunteers

Others involved in the project:
  • Local authorities
  • Social or health care provider
  • Volunteers

How collaboration worked: Students at Washington Academy – Skills development Residents of Washington Lodge Nursing Home – Mental health Families of residents of Washington Lodge – Mental health, Increased participation in community activities. Staff at Washington Lodge Nursing Home – Increases opportunities to communicate with residents Local event organisers – Increased participation at events. Environment – Less paper used to promote and inform people of events. Funding – £1000 from Sunderland City council for 2 year project

Older people’s involvement: Older people were consulted during the planning process

Details on older people’s involvement: We have made contact with June Smith the Deputy Head of Nursing at Washington Lodge Nursing Home who thinks “it is a wonderful idea and something that would increase the well-being of their residents, be interesting and useful for staff and helpful for families who are visiting”.

Moving forward

Has the impact of this age-friendly practice been analysed: No

Do you plan to evaluate your age-friendly practice? Yes

Feedback:
No garnering feedback has been postponed until after the pandemic

Expansion plans:
We are hoping to upscale across the city if successful

Looking back

Reflections:
This idea came from young people who presented to a board of funders and were successful. We need to promote more intergeneration projects where local people come up with the ideas

Challenges:
Covid-19 was the biggest challenge