Got aging parents?

[Mik]

My beloved MIL has certainly been harmed by COVID. She is in a stage of dementia of unknown origins. It's not typical Alzheimers but it is robbing her of more and more and the isolation has been cruel.

So we have tried to keep in touch by phone and by outside visits where we could. It's a bit like 50 first dates, where we have to tell her every time about the virus and she always says no one told her. She has unfortunately gotten to the point where using her iphone is dicey. She runs it down playing with it, has lost it a couple times in her apartment.

So around Thanksgiving I started looking into some alternative communication tools that I hoped would not require her to do anything. What I found was ViewClix, a 15" frame screen with camera and microphone that also displays a slideshow of photos (editable with captions to help her memory) , and can display sticky note messages to her at certain times you set up.

But the main thing is you can make cloud based video calls to her frame without her having to answer or charge or anything. The frame stays put and when you make a call to her it's like you just walked into the room and said hi. All administration is handled by me remotely and she cannot mess it up.

I've been setting it up, and we hope to work with her assisted living place to install it Wednesday.

The thing is really well thought out in terms of what less capable seniors need. $300 with no ongoing fees. If you have relatives or friends in that situation I highly recommend.

https://www.viewclix.com/features/#

[George K]

@mik good for you for finding a solution.

This is hard shit.

[Jolly]

Let me know how it works out.

[Loki]

Looks like an awesome idea. Ease of use cannot be understated.

[Axtremus]

@mik said in Got aging parents?:

https://www.viewclix.com/features/#

Good to know that such a thing exists. Thank you for sharing this!

[George K]

How do you call the other "frame?"

Do you need another device on your end as well, or can you do it from a phone, tablet or desktop computer?

[Mik]

@george-k you call it from an app, which could be on a phone, tablet or computer. The admin sends out permissions to those who you want to be able to call. No one else can.

[brenda]

That's excellent, Mik. I hope it works to give both her and you joy and peace. Good job for finding a solution.

[George K]

Can multiple people connect to one device?

IOW, if Mrs. George has the device, can each of our daughters connect? Not necessarily simultaneously, but as an individual visit.

[Mik]

Yes. I'm setting up and testing all the family members today before we install it tomorrow. But only the people you authorize can call in. This all sounds complicated but it is as simple and well designed a piece of technology as I have ever seen. It really supports my view that technology that tries to meet every need doesn't serve any of them well, while a limited scope can perform beautifully.

[George K]

@mik thanks.

Mrs. George would like to "meet" with the kids remotely, but is an utter failure when it comes to zoom, FaceTime, etc. This sounds like an easy solution for her.

[Mik]

She cannot, however, call out on it. But they can visit whenever they like. if there is already one call going another caller will get a busy message.

[George K]

@mik said in Got aging parents?:

She cannot, however, call out on it.

Not a problem. She can pick up the phone, call D2 and say "call me on my gizmo!" and proceed.

[George K]

Talked to the management about it.

We decided that, if someone's going to call and say "I want a video call," it's just as easy for them to call and for her to get her laptop and answer a FaceTime call.

I can certainly see its utility for a lot of people, but for us, it's not worth the $200 for the smaller version, and we don't need another digital photo frame.

[Mik]

We took it to Indianapolis and installed it yesterday. It works very well, although I think it confuses her a bit just yet. She'll get used to it. I know she likes the slideshow.

One problem I had not anticipated - her hearing. She refuses to wear her hearing aids. Everyone else can hear it fine, but she cannot unless you are yelling. Fortunately there is an audio out jack so we can add an external speaker with audio control.

[brenda]

She's fortunate to have a son-in-law willing to do all this. You're a good guy, Mik

[Mik]

Thanks, Brenda. I'm lucky to have had my in-laws. They have been great people and she deserves all the love she gets.

[Loki]

@george-k said in Got aging parents?:

Talked to the management about it.

We decided that, if someone's going to call and say "I want a video call," it's just as easy for them to call and for her to get her laptop and answer a FaceTime call.

I can certainly see its utility for a lot of people, but for us, it's not worth the $200 for the smaller version, and we don't need another digital photo frame.

Agreed. I see this however as a potential game changer in personal care units, memory units and nursing homes.