OakRay Care, a leading provider, delivering excellent care homes across the South of England, has announced its ground-breaking program to implement Alexa devices with hands-free video calling in all its resident rooms. This initiative marks OakRay Care as the first care home provider in England to fully embrace voice-assisted technology, prioritising resident connection to families and overall well-being. OakRay Care’s program is the culmination of a successful 9-month pilot project conducted in collaboration with Auris Systems, a technology enabled care solutions provider for senior living, and Embracing Age, a UK charity dedicated to improving the lives of older people. After deploying Alexa devices during the pilot, OakRay is now committed to Alexa in resident’s rooms with further devices scheduled this summer and autumn. This program equips each resident room with an Echo Show 8 device, featuring a high-quality screen and exceptional sound for crystal-clear video calls. The device fosters a sense of connection by enabling residents to see and speak with loved ones virtually, regardless of distance. Bali Battu, Operations Director of OakRay Care, says:
“We were all deeply affected by the heart-breaking images of families separated by care home lockdowns during the pandemic. “It was awful to see those harrowing TV reports of relatives standing outside the window of their loved ones’ rooms. We can’t have that again. A video call is not a panacea, but it’s a decent stand-in for the real thing.”
Sam Caswell, OakRay Registered Manager, says:
“The most important feature is the ability for families and residents to video call each other from anywhere in the world. This can be done either with or without staff support depending on individual needs and abilities. We have witnessed some amazing moments, one lady who had virtually stopped communicating began chatting with her daughter in Dorset.”
- Interactive Games: Residents can enjoy a variety of stimulating and brain-boosting games accessible through voice commands.
- Senior-Friendly Workouts: Guided exercise routines adapted for older adults can be accessed for improved physical fitness.
- Music and Radio: Residents can listen to their favourite music or radio stations, fostering a sense of familiarity and enjoyment.
- Audiobooks: Access to a vast library of audiobooks provides endless entertainment and intellectual stimulation.
OakRay Care’s commitment to resident well-being extends beyond physical care. By prioritizing connection and offering engaging activities, this program empowers residents to maintain a sense of independence, purpose, and joy. The former is encapsulated in this video of resident Rose Fuzzey at Little Hayes in Totland who was 104 recently and there is nothing she enjoys more than an actual visit than Lynda her daughter dropping in on the Alexa for a video chat. Rose shows she still has a wicked sense of humour… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOAZ5ayyGOI
