With more than 3,400 video chat sessions occurring during the initial phase, another 150 senior living communities receive the touch-screen tablets for residents’ use
Denver, CO—July 28, 2020—iN2L, the leading provider of person-centered digital engagement to the senior living market, today announced the delivery of 300 iN2L senior-friendly tablets to another 150 nursing homes and assisted living communities in the state of Florida. This marks Phase 2 of Project: VITAL (Virtual Inclusion Technology for All), a project launched by The Florida Department of Elder Affairs and the Alzheimer’s Association in April designed to keep seniors connected with loved ones during precautionary isolation.
As during the initial pilot phase, each of the additional 150 communities will receive two touch screen tablets as well as virtual training on the devices and iN2L’s content platform, making a total of 300 communities using the devices to connect residents with the outside world. The iN2L tablets are specially designed for seniors to keep them connected to family, friends, and interests. With a simple tap on the screen, residents can safely “visit” with others whenever they want via video chat. Among the communities that received tablets as part of the pilot phase of Project: VITAL, this easy video chat is a much-used feature. During the first month of the project, the tablets facilitated more than 3,400 video chat sessions for residents.
“Only three weeks into the project, we began to see many positive impacts related to the use of the iN2L tablets in our Memory Care unit,” said Bill Grieco, Director of Assisted Living at Cypress Village, which received two iN2L tablets as part of the pilot phase. “The stimulation alone that it provides is heartwarming to see. Using the tablets has already substantially reduced the risk of falls by engaging residents living with dementia or Alzheimer’s and has increased staff and resident interaction. With the help of staff, these vulnerable residents are interacting with families daily using the tablets, which in turn reduces their need for anti-anxiety and PRN medications.”
Jim Jandreau, a resident at Cypress Village and co-chair of the community’s Joint Information Technology Committee comprised of staff leadership and residents, was instrumental in securing Cypress Village’s participation in Project: VITAL. With a background as an IT procurement professional and having experienced Alzheimer’s as a spouse caregiver, Mr. Jandreau is passionate about technology’s ability to reach those living with cognitive decline. “These tablets are the perfect solution for us,” he said. “Especially for our memory care residents, the tablets give us an opportunity to be in the moment with them. There are so many pieces of content to choose from to engage a positive response. You see their reaction and you know their brain is working, because you found a way to connect that is important and meaningful to them.”
Mr. Jandreau sees such possibility in this technology that he led the procurement of an additional 11 iN2L tablets for Cypress Village’s Memory Care residents as well as another 13 for the community’s skilled nursing area. “With this pandemic, we are dealing with circumstances that are beyond our control,” Jandreau said. “We have to fight isolation head-on. These tablets will be a lifeline for residents all along the continuum of care.”
“We are honored to be a partner on Project: VITAL. This unique state-wide project has been distributed to over 300 communities across Florida,” added Michelle Branham, Vice President of Public Policy for the Alzheimer’s Association. “With the governor’s support for this initiative, we are working on social isolation in our state, as well as inviting other states to participate in a Project: VITAL learning session in August.”
The tablet further fosters connection with family by creating individual profiles for every resident, where families can send personal photos and videos residents to view whenever they like. Smaller ongoing moments of connection can also be supported by the tablet’s two-way messaging feature. When entertainment is the goal, residents can browse over 1,000 preloaded content items, including games, puzzles, movies, audiobooks, and other applications designed to support overall wellness and engagement.
“It is incredibly fulfilling to see the smiling faces of elders and hear touching stories coming out of the initial phase of Project: VITAL,” said Lisa Taylor, iN2L CEO. “Our tablets are making a difference. As the effects of the pandemic wage on, we are committed to continually evolving this ‘connection care package’ so more seniors can experience the benefits of technology. We know how important these everyday interactions are to the health and well-being of older adults and now, more than ever, it is critical that we do whatever we can to enable them.”
iN2L is working with other states looking to mitigate social isolation through similar projects that provide connective technology to older adults. To join the Project: VITAL learning session hosted by the Alzheimer's Association on Thursday, August 20th, register here: bit.ly/3jd0b99.
###
About iN2L
As the market leader in content-driven engagement for seniors, iN2L has been creating possibilities, enjoyment, and connection for older adults since 1999. iN2L’s expansive content library promotes wellness, empowerment, and engagement among older adults and is the foundation for activities that facilitate social interaction, cognitive and physical exercise and therapy, education, reminiscing, areas of interest, and memory support engagement. iN2L is a critical part of the resident experience in more than 3,000 nursing homes, assisted and independent living communities, memory care settings, and adult day programs across the U.S. and Canada. For more information, visit www.in2l.com.