A case study to demonstrate the power of technology to improve quality of life in aged care.
79-year-old Barbara Hamilton Ramsay (pictured above) has told the Commission that Feros Care’s Virtual Social Centre (VSC) - has helped her stay connected with the world and learn new skills – all without leaving her home at Robina on the Gold Coast.
In a quick 30-minute video link session, Ms Hamilton Ramsay – a former teacher who has suffered from depression and is on a Level 3 Home Care Package – was wild in her enthusiasm for the program, which enables her to join online ‘classes’ on a range of activities including art, meditation, Tai Chi, book club.
“It’s lovely to have someone call you by your name in the morning when you do – I like doing some exercise, come downstairs and do some exercise,” she told Senior Counsel Assisting Peter Rozen QC. “I find that very cheerful and that helps me a lot because my days are a lot better if I start them off in a cheerful way.”
Ms Hamilton Ramsay says the program has also taught her how to become more digitally literate (she now does her own online banking) and she no longer has to ask her children for help to learn new technologies.
“Help is just a call away,” she said. “We’ve got a place on the screen where we can get help whenever we want it and there’s somebody there who can, if we’ve got a hiccup, they can iron it out for us.”
Feros also provides the program to her at no cost – even though they are not her home care provider.
Again, the Commissioners seemed impressed – “that’s terrific,” concluded Commissioner Lynelle Briggs.
