Having a sense of purpose every day is important for everyone.
Amir Hemani is the chief operations officer of Berwick Retirement Communities, Vancouver Island-based retirement homes with locations across B.C. Hemani advocates for seniors and their best interests, and looks for new technological trends to help them with challenges they face.
He is also part of the Aging 2.0 Vancouver Chapter which helps keep his finger on the pulse for the latest technology and best practices of innovations for seniors.
Hemani said Berwick has been testing Alexa, the Amazon product, to build purpose and help people stay engaged. For example, Alexa can be programmed to respond to a B次元官网网址済ood morningB次元官网网址� prompt by turning the lights on half way, saying the date, time and the weather.
B次元官网网址淭he most important thing for a senior is a purpose to get up and do the day,B次元官网网址� he said.
He noted most seniors are generally not fluent in technology and donB次元官网网址檛 own a laptop or an iPad, and some may be visually impaired, have cognitive issues, canB次元官网网址檛 read, or have reduced mobility, but Alexa is completely verbal and programmed for voice activated requests.
The company has done three months of testing with Alexa for one of their visually impaired residents in Victoria, putting Alexa in common areas of the facility. Hemani said if testing goes well for the pilot project in Victoria, Alexa would become a standard feature in every suite when people move in. It could be ready as soon as next spring to be used in the newest retirement community being built in Qualicum Beach.
Hemani said Alexa helps keeps seniors engaged and simplifies life.
B次元官网网址淲e onboard the residents to get into a suite, give them an orientation and demonstrate and lead them with it,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淧rogram it [Alexa] to tell them what time to take their medication, what time is dinner, thatB次元官网网址檚 the goal of what we hope will happen with the Qualicum Beach community.B次元官网网址�
Hemani said while technology offers many benefits, thereB次元官网网址檚 nothing that can fully replace receiving a hug from a loved one.
B次元官网网址淧hysical touch is hard to replace from a technology alternative,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚t makes us want to stretch a little further to see how we can help. When things are reduced for our seniors, we need to find out how to bridge the gap.B次元官网网址�
Sylvia Ceacero, CEO of B.C. Seniors Living Association, agrees that the social piece B次元官网网址� keeping seniors connected is important.
B次元官网网址淔or all of us, socializing and networking has a direct influence on our health and well-being,B次元官网网址� she said.
She noted for many seniors, income is fixed and they require economical ways to stay connected if they canB次元官网网址檛 or donB次元官网网址檛 drive.
Hemani said residents that stay in the Berwick communities independently book bus transportation services specifically for seniors or those with mobility challenges, mentioning from what heB次元官网网址檚 seen, it seems to be a good option for seniors on the Island.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 pretty good, they know the clientele they cater to and accommodate impairments,B次元官网网址� he said.
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