If you or a loved one is currently in a senior living community, the cautionary social isolation that’s protecting you from COVID-19 is presenting a different danger – loneliness. With people age 65 and over especially vulnerable to this respiratory virus, senior living communities will likely continue under protective measures for a long time, even as some states begin to reopen. This presents a persistent and ongoing problem for residents’ mental health and wellness, one that iN2L, a content-driven engagement company, is mitigating with a new line of video chat enhanced tablets.
With the new enhanced tablets, a simple tap on the iN2L touch screen lets residents “visit” with their loved ones whenever they want by initiating a video call to friends or family. The call recipient will receive a text message with an invitation to join the call and can enter the video session with just one click on their end. Residents can talk to up to seven people simultaneously in one video chat session, making it easy to catch up with groups of family and friends.
iN2L Releases Enhanced Tablets to Combat Social Isolation for Senior Living Residents
Touch screen tablets include new easy-to-use video chat to connect senior living residents with their families and healthcare providers during the pandemic
Through the use of iN2L technology, our residents have been able to stay engaged and in touch with their loved ones during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Shiela Johnson, Director of Clinical & Education Services for USA Healthcare in Alabama. “They enjoy getting to ‘visit’ their families, especially participating in virtual family gatherings.”
In addition to virtual social visits, the iN2L tablets can also be used to facilitate telehealth appointments during COVID-19 in accordance with recent CMS allowances. Residents can keep scheduled appointments for primary care, specialist care, urgent care, mental health, nutrition, and therapy as video visits in lieu of in-person visits, using iN2L’s video chat capabilities.
To further combat the negative effects of isolation, the iN2L tablet can be used for individual engagement when not in use to support virtual family connection or telehealth visits. The tablet is preloaded with over 1,000 pieces of interactive content specifically designed and curated for older adults. Games, puzzles, movies, audiobooks, and more are strategically selected to support the cognitive, emotional, social, physical, and spiritual aspects of overall wellness.
“Social isolation is always a concern for those in senior living communities, but even more so during the precautionary isolation measures being taken to protect against COVID-19 transmission,” said Taylor. “We believe iN2L tablets will not only help fulfill these core needs for residents but help them stay connected to their loved ones outside the community as well.”
iN2L’s large-format touchscreens and individual tablets are currently in more than 3,000 assisted and independent living communities, memory care settings, and adult day programs across the U.S. and Canada.
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