TAHLEQUAH – Cherokee Elder Care had adopted a program to make learning technology easier for elders. The GrandPad program gives elders a chance to learn how to use a tablet that’s made for seniors.
For more than a year, CEC clients have been unable to have social interaction at the CEC center where they could come daily for lunches and activities. COVID-19 has halted most socialization for elders, so the GrandPads are used to bridge the gap.
Connie Davis, CEC executive director, said the GrandPads makes it easier to connect with elders who have remained in pandemic isolation by checking on them and conducting telehealth checkups.
“The thing that we’re really excited about is being able to do some teaching using those,” Davis said. “For example, our dietitian recently did a class that had over 100 people attend that class. We have 201 participants. We don’t call them patients, because they’re healthy. They just happen to get their health care here but they also do activities and other things.”
She said using the tablet helps them connect with staff and each other.
“Being able to allow them to connect somewhat with the staff here and maybe with each other at times will really improve the mental status and emotional status of the participants who are isolated,” Davis said. “I think it builds their confidence to have some electronic device that they can comfortably use.”
The device contains features such as video and phone calls, Zoom group calls, internet, music, photos, games, radio and email.
Davis said due to isolation, all 201 clients have remained COVID-free by staying home.
“The good thing about them being isolated is we haven’t had one in the home test positive for COVID,” she said. “We feel like this will be another tool to use to keep them more comfortable and sane in their home environment and it’s a device to protect them further than socialization.”
A GrandPad is available to every client.
“We go into the home, we give hand on instruction on how to use those. When they’re comfortable with it, they’re free to use it,” Davis said.
She said the CEC center has been closed due to the pandemic, other than the health care portion of it, but she hopes to reopen to elders in August and reintroduce activities they enjoyed before but in a safe manner and limit the number of participants each day who will come to the center.
“That will alleviate some of the isolation and socialization issues,” she said. “However the days in the center are going to be significantly limited to follow COVID practices of social distancing. We are going to be able to see about a third of the number of participants a day than what we were. Basically everybody can come one day a week.”
To become a CEC client, an elder does not have to be Native American but must be income eligible, be 55 years or older and qualify for Medicare and Medicaid.
“This is a great program for people who are, we say nursing home-eligible, but if you have an elder who forgets their meds, who needs reminder, who needs socialization and extra attention just for their safety, please call us,” Davis said.
For information, call 918-453-5554.
Gloss