A nursing home in Williamstown, Massachusetts has set up a notebook computer with a Web camera and set up a Skype account to allow its residents to see and talk with family members and friends around the world. The free Internet video program is being tested with a few residents now, but managers are hoping to set up a schedule so that all residents can use it to feel closer to family… even if they live halfway around the world. The computer will also be connected to a large-screen TV so that visually impaired residents will be able to see their loved ones more clearly.
As activity director Janice Paquette told the reporter for the Bennington Banner, “It’s exciting but a little mind boggling.”
In addition to regular Internet video family visits, Skype could also make it easier for nursing home staff to communicate with family members about health updates or treatment plans.
What a fantastic idea! There is no reason that more nursing homes can’t make this technology available to their residents. It is a bold and wonderful move, and we commend the Williamstown Commons nursing home for taking this step. Skype is not just for teenagers anymore.
To read the full article, click here: Bennington Banner.
At HensonFuerst, we fight for the rights of nursing home residents and their families everyday. We applaud this step in helping these residents feel like part of the world again.
