Technology enables "virtual visits" around the world
8 August 2007
Western District Health Service (WDHS) has launched an innovative pilot program that reconnects families and friends with their loved ones living in an Aged Care Facility.
The pilot program known as “Virtual Visiting”, involved residents of Penshurst and District Health Service and Grange Residential Care Service using videoconferencing technology to visit with family and friends remotely. Volunteers have been trained to facilitate the visits and provide basic technical support as required by participants who may be a little apprehensive when using the technology.
Western District Health Service Chief Executive Officer Mr. Jim Fletcher said “After some initial apprehension residents of the aged care facilities have warmly embraced the opportunity to extend and renew friendships and use the technology to overcome the tyranny of distance. The opportunity to use the technology to communicate with younger family members will hopefully overcome the reluctance by some who otherwise have difficulty visiting an aged care facility.”
“Families with broadband internet now have the ability to ‘virtually visit’ their loved ones from the comfort of their own home. Families wishing to participate are loaned the necessary equipment and provided technical support to enable visits. Families without broadband internet living in South West Victoria can still participate in the program by making arrangements to use the technology available in local health services who are members of the South West Alliance of Rural Health, which operates from Geelong into south-east South Australia” Mr. Fletcher said.
Video conferencing uses a computer, video camera, and network such as the Internet, to conduct a live conference between two or more people. Video conferencing is an extremely beneficial method of communication for aged care residents as it enables the use of non-verbal communication and the opportunity to see their visitors on suitable large screens. Regular social contact with friends and family is important to enhance residents quality of life and overcome the social isolation often associated with admission to an aged care facility.
This program is not only limited to Victoria’s South West; simply having broadband internet means that families anywhere in the world can participate. The project team has received expressions of interest from families located as far away as Tasmania, Point Lonsdale and even India.
Mr. Fletcher said “WDHS in conjunction with other members of the South West Alliance of Rural Health is now actively seeking funding support from government to extend the pilot to all Residential Aged Care facilities in the South West of Victoria. The long term vision is to have “virtual visiting” regarded as a basic service provided in every aged care facility, as commonplace as the telephone or television.”
ABOVE: Project workers Sue Rondeau and Chris White demonstrate the virtual visiting technology.