Advanced Technology Suggestions
Mobile Phones can provide support for carers. Features will vary with the model of phone and can range from the simple to complicated, including one touch dialling, call blocking, bigger buttons and larger screens, calendars with reminders, recording and playback capacity.
Other features can include Global Positioning System (GPS) for finding locations or real time tracing. Real time tracing provides a street location of the person holding the phone. This information can be obtained by the carer, either by text message, or by logging onto a web site and obtaining the details.
Computers - carers who have a home computer can set their computer to simplify the process of logging on to a computer and moving to a screen where the options and internet sites are relevant to the person’s interests. The size of the text and the number of sites that can be visited can be modified.
Communication - Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) works on most computers which are connected to the internet. The VOIP system allows the computer user to talk to, hear, and see family or friends via their computers using the computer and web camera. There are many providers who supply the software and services that support this activity. This may allow you, for example to share mealtime with a distant relative in Australia or overseas.
Telecare is a type of assistive technology that is used to provide support from a distance. This support is usually from a call centre and can be used to monitor a person’s health status for falls, existing conditions, or whether household appliances have been left on.
Telecare is provided by a number of different organisations in Australia and services and costs vary between organisations.