Social Care: In-Home Elderly Assistance Embraces Technology

Visiting Angels understand how providing in-home elderly care assistance requires a holistic approach. Our holistic approach includes care for the individual client, both inside and outside of the home. We try to have our clients utilize modern technology to stay better in touch with friends and family—we use our social care program to do this. We keep our clients connected to their loved one through Facebook, Skype, FaceTime, etc., to remain active and engaged.

 

Digital Tools Help Seniors Connect to Family and Friends

It can be difficult or overwhelming for an older adult to learn or adapt to using new technology, even with in-home elderly assistance programs. In retrospect, though, there are studies that shown how the following emotional and mental benefits digital tools can have on the elderly:      

• Surfing the internet can reduce depression in Seniors by 20%.*
• A University of Arizona study finds seniors who use Facebook showed a 25 percent improvement in mental "updating" skills - essentially improving their working memory.
• Another study shows seniors who visit social networking sites like Facebook have a positive emotional experience when measured by breathing rates, brain stimulation, and pupil dilation.**

Helping Seniors Stay Engaged Via Technology

The Visiting Angels' in-home elderly assistance Social Care Program teach seniors to:

1. Use a cell phone
2. Text, send e-mail, Skype, or use FaceTime
3. Create a Facebook page/account and interact with family and friends
4. Login, shop online, or research information on a search engine

 

* Washington, D.C. based Phoenix Center

** Journal Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking