News

Residents reach for Skype to stay in touch with loved ones

A 97-year-old former school secretary is using the latest video calling technology to see and speak to her family 1,900 miles away after the Shropshire care home where she lives installed Skype.

Accord Housing Association’s Bennett House, in Telford, decided to install the video conferencing technology to help residents stay in touch with their loved ones more easily.

Grandmother-of-one Gwynne Hall, who has lived at Bennett House for over two years, is the first resident to use Skype to chat to her daughter Jonquil Warbuton and son-in-law Dave, who live in Greece.

Now the care home is hoping to help other residents use video conferencing technology to stay in touch with their families and friends, abroad and at home.

Lisa Johnston, who manages Bennett House, said: “We think it’s really important for residents, especially those with dementia, to have as much interaction with their family and friends as possible.

“However, we understand that face-to-face contact isn’t always possible which is why we decided to start using Skype, so that residents whose families or friends live further afield can still stay in touch.”

Gwynne Hall said: “It’s marvellous to see my daughter on screen and talk to her every Sunday. I can’t believe it sometimes.”

Jonquil Warbuton said: “I try to come to England as often as possible and Skype is a wonderful alternative in between visits.”

Bennett House is a bungalow-style residential care home for older people, including those with dementia, run by Accord Housing Association.

The home uses an approach to supporting residents with dementia called the Eden Alternative, which works with plants, animals and children to create lively and interesting places to live.