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This website has been such a tremendous asset to me in providing such great ideas. The clients have enjoyed the picture bingo, quizzes and I am looking forward to doing word ladders with them for the first time very soon. I also print out crosswords and word searches and make up booklets for them to do in their rooms. I will be definitely rejoining.
Linda Beale
Activities Coordinator
United Kingdom
I'm looking for advice on helping out seniors utilize unnecessarily complicated technology. Our cable provider recently upgraded to a wireless 4K system. Several of our residents have been forced to change their systems and are no longer able to navigate their TVs by themselves.
This is beyond cheat sheets and labelling remotes- it becomes an issue of accessing apps like Netflix, youtube, and a very different format of cable channels.
Instead of turning the power on and flipping to a channel they enjoy, they must navigate a series of screens to the app that provides them with whatever type of show most of them are interested in.
It makes me so mad that these residents are paying more than the others with standard cable for a service they can barely use. Additionally, they are required to register for Netflix, Amazon Prime, Internet if they want to access more than the very limited number of included channels.
Maybe this is a rant. Maybe a call for help. Ideas, suggestions, support....whatever you've got I will gladly take it.
Oh I agree this seems unfair
Might help to get in touch with some high school students because they are pretty technologically advanced
Not only do they have to be technologically advanced but they have to be patient because most of the elderly have Difficulty and do not remember what to do
Another idea is to complain to the cable or Internet company
Explain to them that you are giving them a lot of business and their new way of doing things doesn’t work for the residents ask for an alternative
The residents may have to downgrade their service so they can use it or you may have to use a different Internet or cable company
Or you can tell them that this is a possibility
I am sure they do not want to lose your business but you may get aggravated trying to do this
I know many residents like to watch TV
Having so much trouble with the TV might get them more interested in other activities
You can show favorite programs in the common areas
Good luck to you
If you have any specific questions perhaps I could help but no promises
Also a lot of Smart TV's are compatible with Alexa. There is still a learning curve, anyone who has worked with Alex knows she comes up with some random things when you ask her to play something etc. That would be frustrating but at least they could "Alexa.. Turn on Tuner Classic Movies. You can also set the current technology up for easier use with favorites or default choice options. We use the Roku Device and their services with ESPN and Disney but I'm only a 6 bed sub acute setting so its a but easier to do. I am even researching Alexa voice technology with smart room technology. For someone who cant get out of bed and may have lost their independence being able to turn their own light on is a huge deal for them. Lots of great thing here ladies
Thanks for the information
I’d like the Alexa idea
But I am really not that familiar with it and I don’t know if your facility Shantel can afford it
It is something to think about Shantel
Let us know how things are going Shantel