Care homes are using digital devices to transform residents' lives at Christmas

A growing number of care homes are using digital technology to transform their residents’ lives this Christmas.

Many residents spend Christmas Day in their care home but digital technology means they can now speak to their friends and family through Skype or FaceTime.

Digital TV means they can also dip in and out of a whole range of festive films bringing some Yuletide magic into the home.

Earlier this year, Four Seasons Health Care, the biggest care provider in the UK, announced it was installing Wi-Fi into all of its homes, with its chief operating officer, Alastair How, saying they were finding it was enhancing their residents “enjoyment of life”.

Similarly residents in Anchor care homes will be able to use the care homes’ iPads on Christmas Day connecting them with the outside world and giving them valuable access to friends and family through FaceTime and Skype and social media such as Facebook.

The charity, Alive!, which provides activities for lonely and isolated older people has been fundraising to buy iPads to use with care home residents.

iPads 'stimulate creativity and aid reminiscence'

A spokesman for the charity said: “Our use of iPads means that care home residents can engage with the newest technology in order to stimulate their creativity and aid reminiscence. We use apps and the internet in group settings and 1-2-1 to allow care home residents to create art, make music or view video clips which they remember from their youth.

“The internet provides an endless resource for reminiscence materials. Whatever each resident wants to see, whether it's a song, video or picture, it can be provided in seconds. By re-connecting with their hobbies, passions and memories, care home residents can once again feel proud of themselves and their achievements.”

The charity found that after iPad sessions, the intellectual and emotional well-being of older people improves and lasts for days after. Residents also tend to be more conversational leading to better relationships with peers and care home staff, ultimately improving social care.

Avery Healthcare has invested in iPads for all of its care homes and runs a structured programme of events to get all residents confidently using them. They also use the iPads as part of their Memory Care programme to support residents with dementia in their reminiscence activities.

For many residents in care homes, the home can become their whole world. A lot of people living in care homes will have complex health conditions and dementia and going outside can be extremely challenging particularly in the winter months when the temperature drops.

For some, visits from friends and relatives can be rare with one in 10 care home residents never getting any visitors at all.

TV is a valuable source of entertainment

Television shows and festive films therefore are ideal for lightening the mood and acting as a valuable source of entertainment.

Within the over 65s age group, Sky Sports, Sky News and Sky 1 all feature in the top ten channels, including terrestrial TV, according to Sky, which has tailored subscription packages for the social care sector.

Kirsty Thomas, lifestyle team leader at Hallmark Care Homes has found the Sky package “has benefited us by making a larger variety of films available and enabling us to show sporting events such as football games, which is nice for those who enjoy sports but in particular for those who follow a team”.

PJ Care Ltd is another provider that has utilised a Sky package to great effect, with the provider finding “having Sky TV and Wi-Fi in our care homes has helped residents keep up-to-date with all their favourite TV programmes and keep in touch with family and friends. It’s made a real difference to the personalised care we offer.”

TV programmes should be chosen carefully

As long as TV isn’t used as a ‘be all and end all’ there is no reason it can’t also be a useful tool in enhancing lives. Ms Thomas said: “A small selection of television programmes support a relaxing atmosphere such as wildlife documentaries and music concerts.

“However, many others can be too ‘noisy’, destructive and create the wrong environment – such as tabloid talk shows. We discourage the television being on unless someone is watching a specific programme or has requested it on, we find music can have a much better effect and create a more relaxed, positive and engaging environment.”

Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) can be a highly effective intervention which leads to the improvement of the memory and quality for life of people living with dementia. Care home staff can complement such therapies with activities that are designed to stimulate memory. Reminiscence activities should focus on the individual and their experiences but during the Christmas period classic scenes from movies such as It’s a Wonderful Life, A Christmas Carol and White Christmas can be ideal in bringing back memories of happy Christmases.

James Tweddle, sales director at Sky Business, said: “Sky delivers a wide range of entertainment to choose from, that will suit the preferences and interests of people of all ages.

“During this Christmas period, you can make sure residents and their loved ones feel relaxed with television and movie content that everyone can enjoy. For family and friends that are further away, our WiFi services will ensure that residents can stay connected during the season to be jolly.”

Sky’s package for care homes provides access to channels in communal areas and residents’ own rooms as well as WiFi services delivered via The Cloud. Moreover, the combination of TV and WiFi access can also be of benefit to residents’ families, encouraging them to visit more, stay longer and make the care home experience really feel like a home from home for residents and their family and friends, according to Mr Tweddle.