Fun Technology for Older People Tahir Idris Assistive

Fun Technology for Older People Tahir Idris Assistive Technology Manager Diane Emmison Manager, 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 Assistive. Technologies • 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

Interactive Noticeboards Music & Multimedia Photos

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

You. Tube

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

• 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” Tom

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