All too often, children move miles away from their parents. Job opportunities are often global these days, and young people need to go where the jobs are. When their parents are middle aged, the parents often enjoy traveling to see their grown children, who have busy schedules with work and their own families.
Frequently, as the parents begin to age, they find that they are unable to travel and most of the communication is done with the telephone. The parents, many of whom experienced the great depression, are often concerned about the cost, and think of the telephone as a devise for short messages only. Their calls have usually be only three to five minutes, certainly not long enough to replace a good day's visit. Many find it difficult to enjoy a visit by telephone and worry about the cost of a long-distance call. If the parents become hard of hearing, it is even more challenging to have a satisfactory communication. And the quality of these communications is further compromised if the parents begin to suffer from dementia or Alzheimer's disease.
Today, with the use of a computer equipped with a camera, a microphone and high speed internet access, video conferencing is possible. For those families that are separated by many miles, videoconferencing is a great way to stay connected and have face to face visits without traveling. Probably the most widely used is Skype to Skype video calls, which are completely free to users. There are many advantages to the elderly in using Skype videoconferencing in place of tradition telephone calls. The first and biggest advantage is getting to see the person they're talking with. Seeing the family member's home, children, pets, etc. is an added bonus. Family members can group by the telephone, and even the youngest child and the family pet can join the conversation. This is a perfect example of the old saying "a picture is worth a thousand words". Seeing the expression on a family members face when they tell you, and sometimes show you, how much they enjoy the gift you sent is priceless. For the hard of hearing, the video picture aids greatly in comprehension. All this and there is no need to be concerned about cost, because using Skype is free.
One word of caution; using a computer is often confusing and frustrating to senior citizens. Many seniors today are more comfortable with using computers now, but as they age, they may find that they no longer have the patience to use the computer. Fortunately, caregivers and family members can help out.
Many health care providers and those who operate residential care facilities for the elderly are beginning to recognize the value of Skype and are making it available to their residents. Videoconferencing can help keep seniors connected to the world of family and friends when they are no longer able to travel and get out as they once did. Many residential homes for the elderly are providing computers with high speed internet access that can be used by the elderly for the video calls. Health care workers and my volunteers are working with seniors to help them enjoy these calls with family members. This is most certainly a worth checking out and will bring joy to the face of a senior who can now fully enjoy a videoconferencing visit with family and friends.
Frequently, as the parents begin to age, they find that they are unable to travel and most of the communication is done with the telephone. The parents, many of whom experienced the great depression, are often concerned about the cost, and think of the telephone as a devise for short messages only. Their calls have usually be only three to five minutes, certainly not long enough to replace a good day's visit. Many find it difficult to enjoy a visit by telephone and worry about the cost of a long-distance call. If the parents become hard of hearing, it is even more challenging to have a satisfactory communication. And the quality of these communications is further compromised if the parents begin to suffer from dementia or Alzheimer's disease.
Today, with the use of a computer equipped with a camera, a microphone and high speed internet access, video conferencing is possible. For those families that are separated by many miles, videoconferencing is a great way to stay connected and have face to face visits without traveling. Probably the most widely used is Skype to Skype video calls, which are completely free to users. There are many advantages to the elderly in using Skype videoconferencing in place of tradition telephone calls. The first and biggest advantage is getting to see the person they're talking with. Seeing the family member's home, children, pets, etc. is an added bonus. Family members can group by the telephone, and even the youngest child and the family pet can join the conversation. This is a perfect example of the old saying "a picture is worth a thousand words". Seeing the expression on a family members face when they tell you, and sometimes show you, how much they enjoy the gift you sent is priceless. For the hard of hearing, the video picture aids greatly in comprehension. All this and there is no need to be concerned about cost, because using Skype is free.
One word of caution; using a computer is often confusing and frustrating to senior citizens. Many seniors today are more comfortable with using computers now, but as they age, they may find that they no longer have the patience to use the computer. Fortunately, caregivers and family members can help out.
Many health care providers and those who operate residential care facilities for the elderly are beginning to recognize the value of Skype and are making it available to their residents. Videoconferencing can help keep seniors connected to the world of family and friends when they are no longer able to travel and get out as they once did. Many residential homes for the elderly are providing computers with high speed internet access that can be used by the elderly for the video calls. Health care workers and my volunteers are working with seniors to help them enjoy these calls with family members. This is most certainly a worth checking out and will bring joy to the face of a senior who can now fully enjoy a videoconferencing visit with family and friends.
About the Author:
Janet Smytherton has enjoyed working with the elderly for the past 20 years. Her focus is on providing our elderly with Quality Assisted Living Facilities. HerDirectory of Assisted Living Facilities in California is an online resource that does not require the user to give personal information.
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