A project to digitally connect some of the county’s most clinically vulnerable residents during lockdown is being trialled in Dorset.
Dorset Council has teamed up with social day care providers to issue digital devices to 30 residents, to enable them to take part in virtual one-to-ones with carers and attend online day centre activities.
If successful, the scheme could be rolled out to more residents as part of their social care package.
Dorset Council’s deputy leader, Cllr Peter Wharf, said: “Being able to connect digitally during lockdown has proven to be a life saver for so many people and especially those that have had to shield.
“We are very proud to be taking an innovative approach and embracing digital as a way of connecting some of our most vulnerable residents.”
Cllr Laura Miller, portfolio holder for adult social care and health, added: “Digital can be a way of transforming our residents lives for the better; not just in lockdown, but for also going forward beyond the pandemic.”
The five devices issued to residents have a range of uses and can be tailored to people who have specific needs and digital knowledge.
There is a Kraydel Konnect, which allows for face-to-face video calling with authorised callers only via the resident’s television and a Komp Pro where family and carers can make video calls, text messages, or send pictures via an app.
An Ethel device, which can provide scheduled check-ins and medication prompts as well as connecting with other people, is also being issued.
And for residents with good digital knowledge and skills are being issued with Samsung tablets for an all-round use of online services; and a laptop that can include software to allow the user to do things such as art activities and zoom group calls.
Joan, 87 and from north Dorset, received an Ethel and is already connected-up to her family via the device and being reminded to take her medication and undertake her daily exercises. She said: “I’ve had lots of photos sent to me from my grandchildren and video calls with them too.
“What I’m really looking forward to is having a video call with the day centre as I miss them very much and it will be lovely to see them again.”
Where can I donate a lap top to be ‘cleaned’ and for future use by a school/the elderly.
Does the person need to subscribe to a broadband provider – this would be the problem financially for many