RetirementHomes.com - Learning and Technology

How wearable technology can keep you younger - longer

aadmin — Mon, 25 May 2015 20:42:09 +0000

How Wearables Can Help You Stay Healthy

From the Pebble to the Apple Watch to Samsung Galaxy Gear, smartwatches are the talk of the town. Are you ready to jump on the bandwagon?

Wearables are great for keeping track of your health and keeping you safe as you age. These are some of my favorite wearables for seniors.

Track your steps

It is important to keep active, especially as you age. Fitness trackers like the Fitbit make exercising fun and you will love watching your step count increase.

You can set activity goals and compete with your friends to see who moves the most. The companion app helps you record what you eat and track how much you move each day. You can even wear it to bed and learn how well you sleep.

Exercise doesn’t have to be a bore. Make it fun with a fitness tracker.

Improve your posture

Remember when Mom used to remind you to sit up straight? It’s easy to slouch, but your back will hate you for it later. Posture monitors like Lumo Back will help you train to have good posture.

These devices vibrate when you slouch for too long. You can wear it around your abdomen or on your neck. That little reminder will help you take notice of how you hold yourself.

Sitting up straight will increase your core and back strength, which is key to long-term health. You will feel better and look more confident with your back straight and your head held high.

Stay safe

Medical alerts are an important part of a successful aging in place plan. You can connect to personalized help at the push of a button. Seek the newest models with fall detection technology like those from Alert1. These pendants sense if you fall and call for help.

Get moving

It’s easy to plop down in front of the computer or TV and sit there for hours. When you emerge, you feel stiff and realize you haven’t stood up in hours. And that’s dangerous. Sitting all day can increase your risk of diabetes, heart attacks, and obesity.

Activity reminders, like those in the Apple Watch, help you avoid the trap of sitting all day. Every couple of hours, you will feel a buzz from your wrist as a reminder to get up and move. Even a small bit of walking around can improve your health.

See your improvement

Want to know how effective your workouts are? Heartbeat sensors like those in the Samsung Galaxy Gear help you get a more accurate picture of your fitness. Working out makes your heart stronger. With a heartbeat sensor you can see your improvement. As you get more fit, your heart won’t have to work as hard.

Recover faster

Physical therapy is challenging. Dutch fashion designer Pauline van Dongen has created a sweater that makes it a bit easier.

This sweater acts like a wearable physical therapist. It is woven with sensors and conductive fibers that record motion data. It tracks your progress as you go through the rehabilitation process. When you do physical therapy exercises, it makes sounds to help you do the exercises the right way.

While not yet available to consumers, the wearable physical therapy sweater is coming soon. Rehabilitation is difficult, but this new technology makes it easier. You will get better faster. And you will do it by wearing a comfortable sweater.

Wearables Are Here To Stay

With the rise of wearables we can know more about our health than even before. These gadgets will help you keep track of your progress and encourage you to stay active and healthy.

And this is only the beginning. The future is here, and it is making aging easier than ever.

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Why seniors need to be on social media

aadmin — Thu, 26 Mar 2015 12:29:41 +0000

Seniors from all over the world are connecting over the internet and loving it. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Reddit are no longer just the playground of the young.

Have you been putting off creating social media accounts? You are missing out on some of the amazing things the internet has to offer. Read on to see the top 9 ways seniors can enjoy social media.

Keep In Touch With Family

Your granddaughter is always posting pictures of her life. If you stay away from social media, you are keeping yourself out of her life.

Creating an account is fast. Soon, you will see your family’s accomplishments float by on your screen. Also, make sure to try out video calls. You can talk to your grandchildren face to face without being in the same room! Social media makes it easy to stay connected to your family.

Find Long-Lost Friends

You’ve wondered what happened to your college roommate, high school best friend, and your first love. But you never thought you’d see them again. Now with a simple search you can reconnect with those long-lost friends.

Just log in and see what everyone’s up to. Drop them a note and they will see it as soon as they go online. You won’t believe how many friends you will find on social media from the old days!

Make New Friends

Do you wish you had a friend who shared your love of astronomy? Would you love to join a community book club? No matter your hobbies, there is a place on the internet for you. You can find active communities where people share their ideas and stories. Go ahead, just jump into a conversation or two. Soon you will have new friends from around the world.

Follow A Few Of Your Favorite Things

Your favorite businesses and brands are all on social media. Learn when their best sales are by following them on Facebook or Twitter. You never know when they will release a freebie or discount! Check out your favorite bands as well. You can stay up to date on their tour dates and newest songs. Other things you can follow include your favorite authors, politicians, and celebrities.

Create a Support Network

We all need a little help sometimes. On social networks it is easy to find a listening ear or a helping hand. It is a built-in support network of people who care about you. Dealing with as specific problem? You can find empathy and advice from people who have been in the same situation. It is comforting knowing you are not the only one. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

Learn Something New

There is an incredible amount of knowledge on the internet. It is a fantastic place to learn. And learning is great for keeping your brain sharp. Start a new hobby, or learn more about your favorite things. Anything you want to know is right at your fingertips.

Share Your Knowledge

You’ve gained a lot of knowledge in your time, so why not share it? You can mentor others in the subjects you know best. You can answer specific questions people ask. Or you can start a blog and write about your life. The internet is the perfect place to share what you have learned.

Be Entertained

There is no shortage of things to do on the internet. There are puzzles, games, TV shows, books, and movies. You can keep up with today’s content or find your favorites from the good old days.With smartphones and tablets you can access your favorite things from everywhere. No more boredom in waiting rooms!

Find Work

Social media is full of opportunities for the retired. Pensioners can mentor others in your field or work part-time. Post your resume online for people to find you, or go searching yourself. You can even work from home. Keep volunteering in mind too – it is a great way to stay busy and it helps out your community.

Social media is the place to be on the internet today. Take a chance on it. You won’t regret being more in touch with friends, family, and the world around you.

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Maryland retirement home gets own Zipcars

aadmin — Fri, 27 Feb 2015 12:20:00 +0000

In the race to find technological solutions for an aging population, one senior living community is already out of the gate. Roland Park Place, a not-for-profit continuing care retirement community (CCRC) in Baltimore, Maryland, recently launched their own Zipcars, a unique car rental service where renters can share a car, or book the vehicle by the hour.

Keith Spillane, Roland Park Place’s VP of Finance, told RetirementHomes.com that there were a number of factors which caused them to bring on two Zipcars of their own, including a shortage of parking space on campus, environmental considerations, as well as increasing the ease and convenience for older people who don’t have their own vehicles. In addition, the Zipcars are helping the bottom line of Roland Park Place’s residents, Spillane said. “For those residents that use their car very infrequently, this could also be a cost savings option as well since insurance, gas, and maintenance are all included,” he said.

For many seniors without vehicles of their own, daily outdoor activities – even when living in a senior living community – can be trying, including going to the local coffee shop or restaurant, visiting friends and family, or even just going to the shopping mall.

Without a car, especially during the cold and snowy winter months, waiting outside for public transportation can be dangerous for older and vulnerable seniors, so the ability to rent a car, especially for a short time, can be a big help.

While Zipcars are available throughout Baltimore, and much of the United States and Canada, Roland Park Place physically houses two vehicles of their own – a Nissan Versa, and a Honda Fit – so residents are able to pick up the car without leaving the campus.

According to Jeremy Pomp, General Manager of Zipcar Baltimore, more seniors are using the vehicle sharing option, often for the financial savings. “For any age group – including seniors – owning a vehicle is both a hassle and expensive, especially when the vehicle sits idle most of the day or for multiple days,” he said. “Zipcar members report savings of up to $600 per month compared to car ownership.

Zipcar is a great option for seniors who want on-demand access to a car, but don’t want to deal maintenance and high-costs.” Beyond the financial savings for seniors, Pomp said that many seniors and older people are also attracted to the environmental benefits which come along with car sharing.

“Zipcar has been proven to reduce car ownership in cities like Baltimore,” he said. “Third-party research shows that each Zipcar eliminates the need for up to 15 personally owned vehicles – which will ultimately free up more parking and make roads less congested.”

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How technology is making seniors safer

aadmin — Sat, 27 Dec 2014 17:55:46 +0000

Google, Amazon, Facebook and Apple are the well-known technology titans changing the world. They have delivered self-driving cars, drone deliveries, and computer watches to the masses. But can the kings of the Internet Age defeat Father Time? Don’t bet on it.

Until Google invents a cure to aging, smart home technology is filling the void. The new range of emerging home technologies will change your life.

Imagine -- a remote controlled home. Waking up to the smell of coffee. Never needing to flip a light switch. Always being the perfect temperature. A smart home learns your preferences so that everything is ready exactly when you need it. It sounds like something from Star Trek, but if you have a smart phone, you can now control your entire house from one device.

The future is here. With a few smart products and a single app, and you’ll see how easy it is to make your home more accessible and simply easier (and more fun) to use. This post discusses the new smart home technologies that will change aging forever.

The Perfect Environment

Everything just as you like it – that’s the beauty of a smart home. Start your day off right when your home makes you the perfect cup of coffee and plays an energizing morning playlist. As you move around your home, the lights automatically turn on thanks to motion sensors.

Why dash to the thermostat on cold mornings when you can wake up to your ideal temperature? Smart thermostats learn what you like throughout the day so that you never have to get up to turn the heat on and off. To save energy, your home can turn the temperature down and the lights off when you leave, or for security it can make it look like you’re at home when you’re on the go.

For those with limited hand mobility or for those who simply want a luxurious experience, a smart shower adjusts to your ideal temperature, angle, and intensity. To enhance your experience, you can enjoy your favorite playlist, colored mood lighting, and aromatherapy.

In your smart home you’ll never need to fuss with the lights, shower temperature, or thermostat – everything will be customized just how you like it, automatically.

Chores Made Easy

Do you always forget to unload the washing machine? Avoid musty clothes with a washer and dryer that tells you when the laundry’s done. With your smartphone you can communicate with all of your appliances.

Your refrigerator can tell you if you need more milk and your oven can tell you that your food is ready. Getting all of your alerts on one device makes it easier to remember household tasks.

Better Home Security

Smart home security systems keep a sharp eye on your home and let you see what’s going on in your house at any time. Since you and your home have gotten to know each other, it can notify you of important events or if anything unusual happens, and you can control it all from the palm of your hand.

Smart doors mean you no longer need to fumble with your keys. Just walk up to your door and enter – your smartphone serves as your identification. Some smart doors will even open for you like your own personal butler. With no keys, locks, or handles, you can easily move about your home while maintaining privacy and security.

You set who you want your home to open for, and you can get notifications that they've arrived. And what if someone unexpected shows up as your door? Take a look at the picture your home sends to you for your approval. If it turns out to be someone you want to let in, you can unlock the doors from your phone – you don’t even need to be at home! If it is intruder, you can press your panic button to sound an alarm and summon help.

Do you tend to forget if you've closed the garage door? No need to worry about it all day – your home will text you that it closed it for you. If there is unwanted motion in your home, including doors, windows, and cabinets, an alarm will sound and you will get an instant alert and photographs so you can see what’s happening. You will also be notified of more subtle threats, including a buildup of moisture that can cause structural damage.

It’s easy to forget to lock your doors or not notice moisture buildup. Smart homes keep watch for you when you aren't home, and allow you to monitor and control your home no matter where you are.

Conclusion

With today’s technology you can control almost everything in your home with your smartphone. You've worked hard all your life taking care of your home – it’s time to enjoy your golden years and have your home work for you.

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New Media for Older Adults - Bridging the Gap

aadmin — Wed, 09 Jul 2014 07:54:12 +0000

With access to social media tools like Facebook and Twitter, people around the world can connect and interact with their family members, friends, and communities (both near and far) within a virtual space.

This digital forum of communication and entertainment promotes the extension of personal networks and helps maintain strong relationships within them by increasing our perceived proximity to the people we care about.

There are many benefits for older adults living in retirement communities to use social media on a regular basis:

Decrease feelings of isolation
Provide users with the abilities to share narratives about themselves
Post pictures and videos from their daily lives
Read updates from other users
Participate in free video calls with loved ones
Play games with others

Social media websites keep us more connected with the people and communities around us than ever before.

To utilize these social media tools fully, it’s important for seniors to understand what they are, how they work, and just how easy they are to use with a little practice and support. The following descriptions are meant to help communicate the key elements of Facebook and Twitter to new users and to highlight the value of each tool.

Facebook is the largest online social network, with over 1.1 billion registered users from all over the planet. The purpose of Facebook is to allow people to connect with others that they know, once knew, or have met. At a minimum, the people you add to your Facebook network are your acquaintances, but most will be family and friends. An acquaintance, for example, could be an old classmate you lost touch with or maybe a coworker from a past career.

On Facebook, they refer to all the people in your network as a “friend”. You choose who your “friends” are and you can deny accepting someone as a “friend” if you want to. Your Facebook “friends” can view your personal profile, which is a collection of information about you. You decide what information you share in your profile.

Typically, people share their birthday, a few photos, and maybe a couple of personal interests, such as your favorite book or hobby. Whenever you share something on Facebook, for instance a picture or a comment, your “friends” can see it. Essentially, your “friends” have access to all of the things you share on Facebook, and you have access to all of the things that they share.

Another fun feature of Facebook is the multitude of free games you can play, both alone and with your “friends”. It’s amazing to think that we can play a match of Scrabble with someone online, even if we are at different ends of the country :)

Twitter, unlike Facebook, is a social networking tool that enables users to connect with people and organizations they do not know personally, like an author, celebrity, or a brand (like Coke or Microsoft). Friends and family can also be in your Twitter network, but knowing everyone personally is not necessary.

Twitter calls the people in your network “followers”. All of your “followers” can see everything you decide to share on Twitter. The idea here is that you share small comments that describe what you’re doing, how you’re feeling, or maybe an opinion you have; all said in 140 characters.

Each user, including the brands/organizations, put Twitter updates online regularly for all “followers” to see, which means there is a lot of information floating around. As a result of its vast user base and instantaneous connectivity to everyone using the tool, Twitter has become one of today’s leading news/media sources.

As news happens, updates are put on Twitter in real time, spreading the information like wild fire. It almost makes newspapers, which report stories the day after they happen, seem obsolete.

Having access to basic computer technologies and the Internet makes the virtual world of social media available to everyone who knows how to use it. For this reason, it’s essential that retirement communities provide free use of computer devices that are current and well maintained.

More importantly, seniors need guidance and support when moving into this digital realm, to help point them in the right direction, build confidence and establish comfort with technology. With these elements, retirement communities and the people who reside in them will be part of the normal, digital world that continues to unfold.

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Staying ahead of the Wii Learning Curve

aadmin — Wed, 04 Jun 2014 11:58:27 +0000

Video games allow people to venture into a world fueled by the imagination. A virtual reality can be a lot of fun whether you’re a child, middle aged professional or older adult! Play a video game and you can be almost anything — a race car driver, a web slinging super hero, a soccer star or a tennis mogul. The possibilities are limitless. In today’s digital society, video games are one of the most popular forms of escapism, which we all need from time to time :)

Nintendo Wii - The New Normal in Assisted Living

It’s universal for assisted living centers and retirement communities to host video game events in their weekly activities calendars. The game console of choice is Nintendo Wii due to the social flavor of the gaming experience. The controls are simple and easy for new players to enjoy on their first try in an enticing assortment of games, including golf, bowling, boxing, and fishing.

Wii was the first mainstream video game console to use motion sensors primarily to control the gameplay. With motion sensory, Wii players control the games with physical movements. While holding a wireless controller, players’ motions are tracked by an infrared sensor, setting off actions in real time within the video game.

The Intuitive, Natural Feel of Wii

The learning curve is short to play video games on Wii, because the physical motions to control the games are designed to be intuitive and natural. When a couple of old time sluggers in Wii's homerun derby swing the wireless controller, the virtual player on the screen swings in unison. Players can stand close or far away because the accuracy of the motion sensory is remarkable as is the range of the wireless controller. The console is inclusive and accessible for seniors to get familiar with the basic motions of Wii games within minutes.

There are two important points to consider when setting up a Nintendo Wii event:

Have extra batteries on-hand for the wireless controllers to ensure no one is left out if power runs out.
Place the infrared sensor that detects the motion of the wireless controller at an adequate height. For players who are sitting, the sensor may need to be positioned lower so the motion is detected properly.

Wii encourages everyone to participate in physical activities that form relationships and a sense of community. Residents can play against each other or as teammates head-to-head on the Internet against other retirement communities to promote good old fashion, healthy competition! Just remember what Tom Hanks said in A League of Their Own, “There’s no crying in baseball!” :)

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Accessibility Settings Make Technology Use Easier for Seniors

aadmin — Wed, 09 Apr 2014 12:09:56 +0000

With our forever changing world of digital technology, comes a universal design movement with significant focus on increasing the accessibility of the gadgets we use. The customizable settings on our devices make modern technology more accommodating to all potential users, instead of a smaller, more particular user base.

Devices like tablets make it possible for seniors in residences and everywhere to get started using the Internet and the seemingly endless opportunities created by it. The touch screen design and light weight of tablets make them easy to handle and control with one hand.

Additionally, there are accessibility options available on tablets that help adapt the device to the specific needs and interests of different users, including those with vision and hearing challenges.

Voice Over and Zoom Accessibility

Voice Over is a common accessibility setting on tablets that will read all the text displayed on the screen out loud to users. This application is helpful when reading Emails, online articles, or Facebook. Utilizing these common tools becomes possible for people who might have avoided them because of difficulty seeing text on the screen.

For older people who need to make the tablet's text bigger, Zoom is a common accessibility option that uses multi-touch commands to zoom in on screen contents. It’s important to recognize that not everything on a tablet can be zoomed in on by default. This zoom accessibility option makes this function possible. Using three fingers at once, users can zoom in on text, pictures, video... just about everything, so it can be easily seen.

Bluetooth Connectivity and Hearing Aids

For older music junkies and film buffs, many tablets are compatible with modern hearing aids, playing audio from the tablet through the hearing aid itself using Bluetooth connectivity. This technology makes the sound much clearer and easy to listen too, especially when video conferencing on Skype.

Another helpful tablet accessibility setting is the LED flash notification, designed to signal users who cannot hear the traditional chimes and dings made by tablets when new information becomes available, like new emails or text messages.

Voice Recognition

A truly accessible feature that everyone finds valuable is Voice Recognition (Siri on iPad and “OK Google” on Android). With these tools, a user can operate some tablet functions using only their voice; like finding information online, composing emails, or saving dates in a calendar, to name just a few.

Due to this amazing leap in technology, new users intimidated by typing on a keyboard, realize the accuracy and simplicity of voice recognition and how quickly they can learn how to use it. Everyone likes feeling comfortable as they steadily progress on something new.

With the right guidance and support, anyone with a willingness to learn can adopt technology use into their life. Ongoing dedication to universal design will ensure that gadgets will continue to improve at accommodating more users, facing different challenges and requiring more individualized customizations. Until then, there are some terrific accessibility tools, already helping people get online around the world.

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Touch Screen Technologies for Seniors with Dementia

aadmin — Thu, 06 Mar 2014 09:34:07 +0000

Technology is easier to use than ever before. Tablets and touch screen monitors have forever changed the way we interact with technology, making the experience much more accessible and accommodating for new users.

Tablets and touch screens can be used by anyone, including older adults living with dementia, mobility and dexterity issues, and other common disabilities, like vision impairments. Everybody – with guidance, support, and a willingness to learn – can find great value in touch technologies and the Internet.

Tablets are the easiest device for beginners. Older adults without previous computer experience can begin by playing online games, asking Google to find information using a “voice search” command, or zooming in on their home town map - in only a few minutes.

Tablets simplify accessing the Internet with their light weight and intuitive design, opening the gateway to amazing user possibilities. The primary reason tablet computers are so helpful for seniors is due to their user-friendly controls. Unlike a computer or laptop, a tablet’s touchscreen interface only needs one finger for basic control. Even those with shaky grips or limited dexterity can still accurately touch the screen by implementing a stylus pen.

A huge benefit of having access to tablets and the Internet is free entertainment. Many complimentary games are available on tablets to stimulate the player’s mind, including puzzles, word games, memory games, and sports games, like golf. These games are often considered to assist in brain fitness. They push players to think, be creative, solve problems, and complete tasks. Games can be great fun as a viable means of escapism, which we all occasionally need. The look on someone's face driving a virtual race car at a hundred miles an hour is priceless :)

Another popular use for tablets is watching online videos, through“apps” like YouTube. Users can call up videos of anything they want ... from live music concerts and old television shows, to knitting instructions and documentaries about World War II. There are online videos on just about everything for all to enjoy.

It may not be possible for some individuals with dementia to remember all the steps in operating tablets. It’s suggested that someone stay close to act as a technology coach. New learners will feel they are positively progressing, instead of forgetting what to do next, or accidentally tapping on an in-app advertisement, which can happen to the best of us.

Having a guide to answer questions, or set up activities or games, motivates seniors to try new things that could make them uncomfortable on their own. Often, quick reminders of the simple controls helps users with dementia progress and overcome small hurdles in seconds, which positively reinforces their own accomplishments too!

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Teaching Positive Technology Techniques to Retirement Residents - A Case Study

aadmin — Tue, 04 Feb 2014 12:17:08 +0000

Modern technology has forever changed how we interact with and understand the world around us. Every day, the importance of technology’s role in our society increases. As gadgets get better and more intertwined in our daily lives, we often forget how frequently we use technology to enhance our day to day living. Whether it’s accessing information and entertainment, learning new things and exploring unfamiliar places, or communicating with loved ones, using technology has become essential to living a full life in today’s digital world.

The nature of technology is to change over time. As it improves, this change happens faster and more frequently, which leaves individuals with limited exposure to new technologies behind. Older adults in particular make up one of the largest demographics that do not fully benefit from the endless possibilities technology can provide. Quite often this is caused by a lack of access to the modern technologies available and unfamiliarity with how to use them.

Recognizing this void in the community, ETAG was founded in 2008 to provide accessible technology assistance to older adults specifically, bridging the digital divide between generations. ETAG’s Technology Enabled Living program focuses on providing technology education and support to seniors living in retirement lifestyle communities. Equipped with a variety of laptop computers, tablets, and WiFi Internet, ETAG’s mobile technology lab and patient instructors help residents plug into the essential, life changing technologies many of us take for granted.

Advocating for Technology for Residents

The ability to learn about technology in the comfort of home is important because it helps illustrate how practical and convenient today’s digital gadgets and Internet tools can be. It also helps seniors recognize the value of using devices like tablets and cell phones in everyday life. For these reasons, it’s important for retirement communities to be advocates for technology and encourage residents to try things like a computer and the Internet, even if they have no previous experience, because of the amazing opportunities these common tools make possible.

To get seniors interested in using technology, there are a few key things a retirement home’s team can do. First, have a variety of technologies available for residents to use. Having a few device options is necessary to accommodate the many types of users there are. For instance, someone who can use a tablet comfortably because of the touch screen might have trouble controlling a mouse on a desktop computer due to an unsteady grip. Creating options for different user types makes for an accommodating and positive experience for learners. There is a technology out there for just about everyone, so having different options available helps learners determine which one if best suited for their needs and interests.

Reduce Unnecessary Barriers to New Learners

It’s also important that the technology made available for residents is not out of date and works properly. As a regular technology user, it can be quite frustrating when your equipment is slow, constantly displays errors, or stops working because an update is required. This negative experience is heightened exponentially when the user is unfamiliar with technology and thinks they personally did something wrong that created the issue in the first place. Although these are common issues with technology in general, they create an unnecessary barrier for new learners to face when first getting started. Having someone responsible for regular maintenance of the technology can eliminate these troubles.

One of the most helpful aspects of ETAG’s TEL program is the one-to-one instruction residents get about how to use technology. Instead of “doing” things for the participant, take the time to talk about technology with each learner, and actually teach them how to do things instead of showing them. The idea is to promote making mistakes to see what happens. With this information, residents gradually learn to not be intimidated by the devices they are using, even when they are trying something new for the first time. Encourage learners not to be worried about breaking something or doing the wrong thing. These “mistakes” are part of learning.

Making the Learning Experience Fun

By making the learning experience fun, new technology users are often more receptive to their first few experiences with a new gadget. Watching YouTube videos of favorite musicians, exploring old neighborhoods and reminiscing, connecting with a family member for a video call, or playing a challenging game are all great ways to make learning about technology a little more fun. Once someone has had several positive experiences using technology, and they feel good about using it, they will be more forgiving when a technology problem occurs, which is inevitable. Making the positive experiences outweigh the negative ones is essential. Don’t get hung up on things not working. Move on, try again, and do your best to finish every technology use experience on a high note.

As recent trends suggest, the integration of new digital technologies into everyday life will only increase moving forward. The current senior demographic plus the aging population will unquestionably require an infrastructure that promotes Internet access and ongoing technology support. Retirement communities are in the position to play a key role in this infrastructure.

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Bridging the Generation Gap for Jewish Seniors

aadmin — Wed, 27 Nov 2013 08:22:31 +0000

Isolation is a key problem for frail, older adults and can reduce their lives into enduring in lonely apartments. Mobility issues or economic problems force millions indoors.

DOROT, a Hebrew word for "generations" is a microcosm of volunteers determined to close the gap. The non-profit organization reaches upwards of 7,000 seniors in Manhattan’s Upper West Side and bordering Westchester County.

It's teleconference service, University Without Walls, enrolls seniors into an exploration of visual arts, music, literature, health, support groups, Judaic studies, and games.

Memories are shared, new skills are practiced, and health is enhanced from the comfort of one’s home. Because the service is available country-wide, University Without Walls, is global. Classes are limited to 15 people for heightened learning purposes.

Volunteer Force Relieves Isolation

Judith Turner – Director of Volunteer Services of DOROT – said that the organization’s mission is to relieve isolation of seniors. Because its services are highly individualized, DOROT maintains a 6,000-strong volunteer force.

Although most of the seniors, volunteers and staff are Jewish, DOROT is open to all denominations. Every senior receives a home session by a staff social worker who develops a personal portfolio. In-home needs and interests are defined for proper response from volunteers.

According to Turner, “the heart and soul of DOROT is our friendly visiting program.” Many volunteers pay weekly visits to older adults for up to a year and most volunteer-senior relationships last for 2.5 years on average. “We’re really about bringing relationships into the home.”

Computer Learning Reduces Isolation

A DOROT specialty is familiarizing isolated adults with computers. Volunteers commit to up to four continuous visits to help with the basic needs of the elderly, including accessing the Internet, setting up Skype, and playing computer chess.

Older adults are assisted with writing memoirs and organizing computer files. “Photography and organizing photo albums are very important to older adults,” said Turner, “and communicating through e-mail.”

Volunteers help seniors get started with audio books, iPod shuffles and iPads. “We even had a 107-year-old man buy his first iPad and get assistance,” Turner giggled.

DOROT was founded in 1976 by Columbia University Graduate students and alumni who sought to help out home bound seniors isolated in their apartments in the Upper West Side of Manhattan.

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