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Tag: Aging Adults

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General News and Events

Don’t Ditch the Smartphone: A Care Giver’s Guide to their Loved One’s Phone

Written by By Jerilyn Fleck M.S Ed, Special Education

As your loved one is aging, they can still use their smartphone for multiple things besides phone calls and text messaging. In this article, I’m going to focus on two essential tasks to enhance cognitive engagement and mental sharpness: staying connected and playing thinking games. I’ve used some of these tools in my experiences as a caregiver and I’ve learned of others in my graduate work in assistive technology at Southern Connecticut State University. 

Staying Connected

  1. Stay connected to loved ones through Skype, Facetime, Google Meets, or Zoom.Older adult using the Birdsong touch screen tablet This is a great way to visually connect with loved ones near and far. Setting up weekly family meetings helps maintain a sense of normalcy and belonging. Should your loved one has memory difficulties, it also helps reinforce and identify family members. For those that have difficulty hearing or understanding what is being spoken, closed captions can be enabled on most platforms. 
  2. Virtual visits – With the use of technology your loved ones can go anywhere in the world, explore museums, and national parks just to name a few. For example, Google Arts & Culture https://artsandculture.google.com/explore, lets you explore different art collections from a variety of artists, time periods, and mediums. The Taste of Home https://www.tasteofhome.com/article/free-virtual-tours/ website gives a short list of museums around the world and zoos in the United States that can be visited virtually. While visiting the virtual museums, you can take the opportunity to demonstrate how to navigate the site’s features (zoom, left-right keys, and maps). If they are an animal lover, many zoos have real-time cameras where you can watch particular animals. Air Pano https://www.airpano.com/ allows the viewer to have a 360͒ view of different destinations and locations all around the world. From Maui, Hawaii to the Taj Mahal, their virtual vacations are endless. Google Earth https://earth.google.com will allow your loved one to visit their childhood home, honeymoon, or other memory spots, simply by entering the specific location’s address. Introducing these possibilities in the virtual world can foster new shared experiences and trigger past memories. 
  3. Digital Picture Frames –  There are many manufacturers that offer digital picture frames. These frames can sometimes hold up to 400 pictures (depending on the manufacturer). For example, Frameo https://frameo.net gives each family member a unique passcode to add pictures. Once the app is downloaded and the passcode is entered, you are able to send pictures instantaneously to the recipient’s frame. Personally, I am able to send pictures of my children’s important moments instantaneously to my 82-year-old mom who has moved to Texas. Additionally, we are able to send other special moments like weddings, baby pictures, and long-distance family members. This picture-sharing avenue is another way to help your loved one stay connected.

Thinking Games

My final tip is to use technology to keep a loved one’s mind sharp. Motivating cognitive engagement is essential for mental sharpness through all stages of life. There are so many different options for them to explore, given their interest and abilities. Most can be easily downloaded to a tablet, laptop, or smartphone.

  1. GeoGuessr https://www.geoguessr.com/  takes you to different places around the world. It also requires the user to navigate and use their knowledge to guess the location displayed on the screen. This tool can reinforce descriptive questioning and language. This site does require you to set up a free account for them. 
  2. Lumosity Brain Training  https://www.lumosity.com. The app is a free subscription (however, it contains ads) or $11.99 (without ads) per month. This app targets memory, reasoning, flexibility, problem-solving, and attention. After you enter basic information, the user takes a “brain fit test”. Once complete, the user is ready to play. For example, one game requires the user to quickly remember the previous shape presented. Other games enhance math and language skills.
  3. When selecting apps for your loved one, options should revolve around their particular interest. There are apps for crossword puzzles, word searches, solitaire, bingo, hidden objects, or just fun matching games like Candy Crush. You name it, I am sure that there is an app.

Final Thoughts

Harnessing the opportunities within technology can enable your loved one to stay connected to family, travel the world, and/or exercise the brain. All of these things continue to support cognitive engagement and mental sharpness. As always, be sure to practice safe technology use when downloading and using some of these free tools. 

Additional links and resources: 

Bridging the Digital Divide for CT – https://cttechact.com/bridging-divide/

Joan Green http://www.innovativespeech.com/

AARP Technology Resources – https://www.aarp.org/home-family/personal-technology/

Aging and Health Technology Watch – https://www.ageinplacetech.com/

Categories
News and Events Product Spotlight Smart Home Tech

Holiday Shopping Just Got Smarter!

Written by Amy Norton, EASTCONN & Arlene Lugo, CTTAP

Snow falling on smart home devicesSmart home technology devices make awesome holiday gifts, especially for individuals with disabilities or aging adults who might be looking for ways to enhance access to their home, improve their functioning, and make a real difference in increasing their independence!

Here are some of the more common smart home devices that our Assistive Technology partners have been recommending this past year (in no particular order): 

Smartplugs like the Wemo or Kasa Wi-Fi Smart Plugs –

These Wi-Fi outlets can be plugged into your regular wall outlet. Connect it to your home’s Wi-Fi and download the app. Such an easy way to upgrade and automate your regular (not smart) devices. Whatever you plug into the smart outlet can now be controlled by the app or via voice control through an Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. These devices provide an excellent way to turn lights, devices and even holiday displays on and off, especially if the outlets are hard to reach, outdoors or when you are away from home. 

Philips Hue Motion sensor –

Turns your lights on and off with motion – it’s hands-free and voice-free. Simply walk or roll past the sensor to turn the lights on to increase safety and reduce trips, falls and bangs. These sensors are especially helpful when entering or leaving home, when a light switch is hard to reach, or for those late night trips to the kitchen or bathroom. The Philips Hue Motion sensor works great with the Philips Hue smart light bulbs. It is battery-operated, which means that someone will need to change them periodically, and it connects to an app for initial setup. 

Video doorbells –

Allow you to see who is at your door right from the app. Is it a delivery person dropping off a package, your personal care attendant, family, friends or neighbors stopping by to celebrate the season or someone you don’t know? Not only can you see the person, you can speak to them through the doorbell. Some alert you via motion before they even ring the doorbell. CNET offers a great article comparing some of the top video doorbells, including prices and features. 

Smart Assistants – 

Amazon Echo Show Series brings all the smarts of Amazon’s voice assistant, along with the ability to video chat and watch cooking or other videos and look up recipes to make your favorite holiday meal. Use “drop-in” to allow family, friends and caregivers to stop in virtually using both audio and video.

This feature of the Echo Show devices does not require you to answer and can provide added safety for those times when you are alone especially if you are at risk for falls, need reminders to take medications or are unable to visit with others in person. During set-up, you control who is able to drop-in. The devices in the series come in 5, 8, 10 and 15 inches. Read the CNET Echo Show 5 Review.

Google Nest Hub – according to CNET, the second-gen Google Nest Hub is “a super smart device that brings convenience to nearly every dimension of the Google Assistant-powered smart home. Whether you’re streaming music, checking who’s ringing your video doorbell or playing YouTube videos, the Nest Hub’s got you covered.”

The display on the device is 7 inches but if you are looking for a larger display, check out the Google Nest Hub Max which is 10 inches. Read the CNET Google Nest Hub Review.

Happy Holidays to All!

 

Categories
Announcement News and Events

New Program Alert: Bridging the Digital Divide

A collaboration between the Department of Aging & Disability Services (ADS) State Unit on Aging & the CT Tech Act Project (CTTAP). 

Bridging the Digital Divide Logo

This 2-year pilot program allows us to have a full-time Digital Divide Coordinator (DDC) at two of our community AT Partner agencies: the NEAT Center at Oak Hill & UCP of Eastern CT.

Our goal is to help bridge the digital divide by providing one-on-one or group services to adults with disabilities (18 and older) and aging adults (60 and older).

Services to individuals includes:

  • Increased access to technology & technology use
  • Providing tech support, troubleshooting, & teaching the use of built-in device accessibility features
  • Increasing access to the community, virtual programming & telehealth, reducing social isolation
  • Connecting Individuals to community resources for ongoing supports
  • Providing tablet technology (with or without hotspot) to individuals 60 & older, if eligible

Why connect with a DDC?

If you or an individual you work with has availability to technology, but struggles to use it and would benefit from some training & support, such as:

  • Connecting to their Wi-Fi
  • Learning to use social media to connect to family and friends
  • Learning to use virtual platforms like Zoom, Teams or virtual community services
  • Learning how to use built-in accessibility features in their devices – speech to text, magnification, text to speech, etc.
  • And more …

Services to Organizations includes:

  • Providing training to entities, such as staff at senior and community centers, libraries, and others who serve the same population, helping them provide access and tech support to their participants.

Why connect your agency to a DDC?

If your organization serves adults with disabilities or individuals 60 and older and you/your staff could benefit from training to be able to support your clients, such as:

  • Learning how to set up built-in accessibility features on your technology or your clients’ technology
  • Learning how to set your clients up with virtual platforms or your virtual services
  • Helping your clients use social media or other internet activities (i.e. online grocery shopping, accessing eBooks, connecting with friends & family etc.)

Contacts:

Contact the CT Tech Act Project for more information by sending an email via our website or by calling 860-803-0588. You can contact a DDC directly at the following:

NEAT Center – serving northwest, northeast and north central CT: call 860-286-3119 or email William.Seaman@oakhillct.org 

UCP of Eastern CT – serving southwest, southeast and south central CT: call 860-288-9520 or email DDC@ucpect.org

The Connecticut Bridging the Digital Divide program is funded by the federal Department of Health & Human Services, Administration for Community Living, Expanding the Public Health Workforce within the Disability Network.

Categories
News and Events Product Spotlight Smart Home Tech

8 Ways to Turn a Traditional Home Into A Smart Home

Written by Pam Fields, ATECH

smartphone showing smart items in room and ATECH logo

With advancement in technology improving every day, assistive technology keeps getting better and better, providing more seamless integration into our lives. As direct-care givers, what’s the best, and easiest way we can use the new and emerging smart-home devices to assist in providing better care? Even if the current living environment is a traditional home or apartment, there are 8 easy-to-install and easy-to-use assistive technology tools that can greatly improve any home.

We live in a connected world; many new technologies are controlled using an app on a smartphone or tablet, are wifi accessible, and many are voice enabled, allowing you to make changes by simply speaking a voice command. For example, using a voice-controlled Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, or Apple’s Homepod or Siri, you can lock doors and windows, adjust the lighting or air temperature, or turn appliances on or off.

Reposted from www.assistivetechtraining.org/8-ways-to-turn-a-traditional-home-into-a-smart-home/  

Categories
AT Success Stories News and Events

Nancy’s Story

Older woman with laptop
Seniors – even those with no computer experience – have gained valuable skills through the Stay Connected program.

During the height of the COVID pandemic, Nancy, an older adult living independently in her own home, was beginning to feel socially isolated as she was unable to get together with her friends for their regular games of bridge. Through Cares Act funding, and the Stay Connected program, she was provided with a brand-new laptop. One big challenge? Nancy had never used a computer before.

She had to learn the very basics of using a computer: connecting to Wi-Fi, plugging it in so the laptop would have a charge, even where to find the space bar. After initial training and an introduction to the laptop was provided by phone, Nancy and her AT Consultant moved onto video conferencing where she learned how to access websites and use bookmarks. Finally, Nancy was able to join her friends for online Bridge Club. Now, not only is Nancy playing bridge several times a day with her friends, enjoying her ability to stay connected to them virtually; she is also using her laptop to purchase and read books online and much more. #ATAwarenessDay

Categories
News and Events Resource

Generations On Line (GoL) Offers New Free Tutorials

GoL wants to simplify tools and technology for older adults, helping foster and promote their internet literacy, access and skills, while also helping them overcome any fears associated with electronic media.

GoL is offering free tutorials that may be useful to many older adults who are online users. Visit the links below to learn more:

  1. Using Telemedicine GoL Tele-Medicine Tutorial BlueJeans Welcome (easytelemedhelp.org)
  2. Reading Newspapers Online Digital Newspapers for Seniors (easynewshelp.org)
  3. Helping Older Adults with Smartphone and Tablet Technology Generations on Line Mobile Edition (gol4apple.org), in addition to their Easy Tablet Help for Seniors

Generations On Line Flyer

 

www.EasyTelemedHelp.org

www.EasyNewsHelp.org

www.generationsonline.cog/family

 

Categories
AT Success Stories News and Events

Stay Connected Program: Reducing Social Isolation for Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities During COVID-19

By Stacey Fulton, OTR/ATP, EASTCONN

As the CT Tech Act Project embraces new grant initiatives, the Stay Connected program has also been in full swing. Stay Connected is a statewide program operated out of the Connecticut Department of Aging and Disability Services in collaboration with the State Unit on Aging and the CT Tech Act Project. The mission of this project is to match AT resources and devices to individuals who are isolated or at risk of being isolated from family, friends, activities or healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Persons are determined to be eligible for this program based on a social isolation scale completed by the Area Agencies on Aging or The Centers for Independent Living. Qualified individuals are referred to one of the project’s AT partners (EASTCONN, NEAT Center and UCP of Eastern CT), who reach out to discern each individual’s needs and match them to potential device solutions. Services that are provided include consultation, training and follow-up. As a result of this program, many individuals have received devices and training, and are once again able to connect to family, friends and healthcare providers.

An individual who benefited from this project was a woman in her late 70s, who received services from EASTCONN’s AT team. She lived alone and since the start of the pandemic, had been unable to see her family and friends, or participate in activities she used to enjoy at her local senior center. She also had no access to Wi-Fi at home. Funding was provided by both the Stay Connected program and the town where she lives to secure a device and a “hotspot” for Wi-Fi access. A laptop computer was determined to be the best option and training was provided to assist her in setting up her email and utilizing Zoom. She shared her appreciation by sending a follow-up e-mail to the EASTCONN provider: “Finally saw my nephew’s daughter in action … I’ve never seen her except in still pictures. At first, she was shy and kept turning her head … but then after a short while, she actually threw me a kiss and waved … Zoom is really great. So grateful to have this computer.”

This is just one of the many positive outcomes that have been shared by individuals who have participated in the Stay Connected program. Working together, this interagency collaboration has made a significant difference in the lives of seniors and persons with disabilities across Connecticut.

Categories
AT Devices News and Events

Most Requested Devices for Staying Connected in 2020

By Kristopher Thompson, BAS, CAPS, Smart Technology Specialist, New England Assistive Technology (NEAT)

Graph of Most Requested AT Devices for Staying Connected 2020

Social isolation is a serious public health problem, and something I have been focused on  during most of my time at NEAT. I have conducted many presentations that showcase how today’s smart technology can combat this problem, but 2020 opened my eyes to what it really takes to address it. One year ago, the lockdowns began, and the digital divide deepened for those who were most vulnerable. Various programs were formed to help those who were not able to connect with their loved ones during the pandemic. I have been heavily involved in a few of these programs and my expertise has served many who were socially isolated. But this experience has given me a few surprises as well.

The people I have worked with over the past year were a mixture of aging adults and young people of varying abilities, all of whom were eager to connect with family, friends, doctors, places of worship, or establish new connections. While most Americans were speeding into the digital age of texting, teleconferencing, email, telehealth, social media, etc., there were many who didn’t have access

to the devices that make it possible to access digital platforms and options.

The demand for computers is what surprised me most, as did their affordability. In cases where an iPad wasn’t the best fit, I could often find a brand-new Dell computer for around the same price. Computers also offered many of the same features, such as messaging, video chat, email, web surfing, social media and accessibility – all in a familiar and comfortable interface.

Overall, iPads were still the most requested devices during the pandemic, but laptop computers were a close second and desktop computers rounded out the top three. Other recommended devices were Android tablets, specialized tablets, Android phones and iPhones. Virtual speakers, such as the Amazon Echo, had tremendous potential, but a long way to go before they became a primary way to stay connected from home.

A person’s comfort level with technology is the number one consideration when I make a recommendation. Sure, an iPad is packed full of features, capabilities and accessibility features. And Amazon Echo smart speakers offer convenient and accessible ways to connect. But what if someone isn’t comfortable using one? If I recommend a technology solely on its potential, there’s a good chance it’s going to become a “smart paperweight.” If a person is willing to embrace new technology, that’s fantastic! The bottom line is, matching technology to an individual’s needs, which minimizes the learning curve, is the key to success.

 

 

Categories
General News and Events

Connecticut Team Shares Highlights from State’s “Stay Connected” Program

Technology Can Help Ease Isolation During COVID-19

This fall, two Connecticut Department of Aging and Disability Services colleagues were joined by a Quinnipiac University professor to co-present highlights from “Stay Connected,” a statewide program that uses technology to help isolated individuals connect with family, friends and medical providers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Connecticut’s “Stay Connected” program was highlighted during national presentations to the Association of Assistive Technology Act Programs (ATAP) and Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs). The presenting team included the Department of Aging and Disability Services’ CT Tech Act Project Program Director Arlene Lugo and the State Unit on Aging’s Patricia Richardson, as well as Professor Nicholas Nicholson of Quinnipiac University’s School of Nursing.

As a result of the presentation, several states expressed interest in replicating the “Stay Connected” program, according to Lugo.

The “Stay Connected” program was implemented with funding from the March 2020 federal CARES Act (Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act), which provides economic supports and other critical resources to Americans who are negatively affected by the pandemic. “Stay Connected” is a statewide program operated out of the Connecticut Department of Aging and Disability Services in collaboration by the State Unit on Aging and the CT Tech Act Project.

Find an article about the program here: https://cttechact.com/stay-connected-helping-older-adults-and-persons-with-disabilities-engage-with-medical-providers-community-family-and-friends-during-covid-19/#sthash.S8yZOZRW.dpbs

To read about how the Stay Connected program is helping Connecticut seniors  and people with disabilities stay in touch read these posts:

Categories
AT Success Stories News and Events

Samsung Galaxy Has an Instant and Powerful Impact for Stay Connected Program

by Kristopher Thompson, NEAT, Smart Technology Specialist

A few weeks ago, Independence Northwest reached out to me with an urgent referral for the “Stay Connected” program. The referral was for a woman who, like many facing social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic, lived alone and had mobility challenges that prevented her from getting out to see her doctors. She had some very important medical appointments coming up and she needed access to telehealth.

I immediately reached out to her for a remote consultation to determine the best technology to get her better connected. Due to her severe hand tremors, she also needed a hands-free solution. Fortunately, the “Stay Connected” program had a lending library that we could use. The library contained the perfect Samsung Galaxy tablet and case, which also doubled as a stand. I shipped the items and she received them by the end of the week. We reconnected by phone and I walked her through the set-up process to ensure she had the apps necessary to provide the connectivity she needed.

This impact was instant and powerful, and she now regularly video chats with her doctors and loved ones, hands-free! Due to the generous funding from “Stay Connected,” we will be able to replace the tablet and case in our lending library and continue to have a great impact as a result of this program.

Who We Are

The Connecticut Tech Act Project (CTTAP) operates out of the CT Department of Aging and Disability Services. We help people with disabilities, family members, employers, educators and other professionals with access to Assistive Technology devices and services.

© CT Tech Act Project 2023. All rights reserved.

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