Homebound seniors are miserably isolated. AARP has estimated the there are 19.6 million in the US This can be deadly to their quality of life. There is an answer called Virtual Senior Centers. These game-changing idea magically allows older people, who cannot get out, to use technology or the phone to enhance their emotional and physical quality of life. This is a brilliant idea.
Seniors Center Without Walls, has been around since 2004. Each week, seniors can access over 70 groups by phone or online, all from the comfort of home. Nancy Lynn Jarvis a mystery writer living in Santa Cruz reads each of her mysteries, as they are published live on the telephone to an entire group of homebound seniors in the San Francisco Bay area.Their winter catalog shows you the breadth of fun and games the isolated seniors can find- just by joining
The Virtual Senior Center really opens up the world for homebound senior enhances their emotional and intellectual quality of life for seniors . It also elevates the quality of life of the caregiver because it gives them a respite and the comfort that their loved one is experiencing a program that offers joy- the joy that comes from joining a community, making new friends and learning new things you choose to be part of, an amazing benefit for homebound seniors.
Self Help, a remarkable senior agency for Hollacast victims in New York City, put an extraordinary Virtual Senior Center together by partnering with Microsoft.. They have grown since their beginning to spread to many other cities.. Classes are led by a volunteer, like an opera class lead volunteers from a NYC opera company-.
One of the participants talks about the sense of community they feel, Marie says. “When we see each other, we say, ‘how are you?’ And if someone is missing you wonder if he or she is sick and you find out. We have a nurse who is knowledgeable and whom you can ask health questions when you see her in the class. She connects us with information she’s learned from the Mayo Clinic.”
The Virtual Senior Center really not only opens up the world for homebound senior but enhances their emotional and intellectual quality of life and downright joy in every day
SelfHelp has loaned many VCS participants all-in-one, simplified touchscreen computers with a senior-friendly interface, as well as providing free access to VSC programming and technical support, and internet access. new participants can join from all over the country and check up the website for further information.
If you are a geriatric care manager think of adding a personal assistant program that can enhance not just quality of care but the joy you give through quality of life care.