Going Digital as a Way of Life
Embracing Digital Touches
“I love gadgets and I am always eager to learn how to use them even when it is challenging for me!” quipped 77-year-old senior Phyllis Cheok when asked about her I’M-OK tablet.
She said she was particularly excited about how she could monitor her health without having to leave the comfort of her home.
“LB issued me some devices with the tablet, including one that would measure my blood pressure, and a weighing machine that would also calculate my bone density, heart rate, BMI, body fat, and even my muscle mass, among others. They set it all up, connecting them via Bluetooth so that I can check the health readings on my smartphone!” chirped Phyllis happily.
Entertainment and Information at her Fingertips!
She also enjoys watching videos, listening to the radio, and even playing multiple mind-stimulating games on the tablet, and never feels lonely at home thanks to it.
“We are required to check-in by clicking on the I’M OK button once or twice a day, set according to our preference, for timings that are convenient to us.
“If we miss it, (LB staff) would check on us to see if all is well. I am touched that LB cares for us enough to bother about our wellbeing,” said Phyllis.
Megan Goh, an Executive with LB’s Tech Care team whose role encompasses delivering holistic care for seniors within their neighbourhoods, said that the I’M OK tablet is one of the technology driven initiatives developed to create a comprehensive and personalised care ecosystem that promotes independence, safety and social connectivity for seniors.
“We call it the I-OK Ecosystem. It has four components for now that covers Educational, Detection or Early Intervention, Home Based, and Active Ageing Centre Based. The IM-OK tablet falls under the Home Based category, where LB empowers seniors to check on their own wellbeing on a daily basis,” elaborated Megan. She stated that digital adaptability of seniors is achieved through regular contact with technology and them understanding how inevitable it is.
Lifelong Learning
Phyllis agreed, “This was how I learnt to do so many new things!
“I now watch tutorial videos on how to make online payments using PayNow and PayLah. I have learnt to use all types of social media, send emails, and more!”
The senior mentioned that when she leaves home, she’d be sure to click the “Going out” option on the I’M-OK tablet so that the device will not trigger an alert to her next-of-kin or LB if she misses the check-in timing.
Digitally-Savvy Seniors!
“And when we go for outings with the AAC, sometimes the staff would ask us to bring along the I’M-OK tablet to play interactive games together. It is so fun!” effused Phyllis.
Megan said she and her team enjoy their engagements with the seniors during such events where they would frequently be faced with interesting queries regarding the I’M-OK tablet and its functionality.
“It’s pretty cute to see the seniors poring over the tablets. Sometimes they don’t even wait for such events to ask about some features on the tablet; they’d walk right into our office to talk to us about it!” said Megan, tickled by the enthusiasm of the seniors.
She believes that most LB seniors would eventually become tech savvy and not feel left out, as LB is constantly working on enhancing the seniors’ digital literacy.
“The world is becoming more and more dependent on technology, and everyone must somehow catch up with all that comes with it. With our interventions, seniors are adapting more easily now. This will also help them in being agile and being more receptive to other kinds of technology,” said Megan.
We hope that these stories would inspire you to reach out and touch the lives of others.
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