‘It’s Never 2 Late’
Published 9:32 am Monday, May 16, 2016
Rich Square Health Center staffer Kane Cerny (left) uses auxiliary device that simulates a bicycle ride through a pine forest (as shown on the computer monitor). At right is Laura Archer, training specialist with “It’s Never 2 Late.” | Staff Photos by Keith Hoggard
RICH SQUARE – The Rich Square Health Care Center held an open house Thursday evening to show off its latest tool for helping seniors, the “It’s Never 2 Late” (IN2L) computer hardware and software system.
Family members, business leaders and community members attended the event to learn more about the interactive system.
Laura Archer, a training specialist with IN2L, said it is an adaptive computer system specially designed for senior living communities that meets the needs of individual seniors, as well as groups of seniors.
Laura Archer shows the ease in which a senior citizens can interact with the “It’s Never 2 Late” computer technology program now in use at Rich Square Health Center.
Freda Wright, executive director of Rich Square Health Care, said she got a grant from CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services) to acquire the IN2L system.
She had seen a similar system used at another rest home facility in the past and knew the residents at Rich Square would benefit.
She met with staff and residents about her thoughts and they agreed, so Wright sent the grant proposal to CMS, which then awarded $25,000 to Rich Square Health Care for the IN2L system.
Archer said, “The quality of their lives are enhanced by creative uses of adaptive computer technology which is allowing them to stay connected with their families and friends in a way unimaginable a few short years ago.”
She added, “Forward looking senior living communities are realizing that having access to computer technology for their residents is no longer a luxury, its becoming more and more of an expectation.
“There are several reasons for this shift,” she said. “The demand in many communities is coming from family members as much as residents. Families are spread out all over the country, and the ability to stay in touch with mom, dad, grandma or grandpa via email is getting stronger and stronger with each passing year. Research is also proving the vital link between mental stimulation and slowing the process of Alzheimer’s, and computer related activities could provide an excellent source of stimulation.”
The IN2L system has hundreds of apps that allow seniors, even those with no computer savvy, to play games, travel the globe, learn new things, Skype with family members, sing, paint, hear a sermon, and anything else computer literate people can do.
Staff members were introduced to the system Thursday. The open house was for family members to see the kinds of things now possible at the Rich Square facility.
“This system helps meet the needs of your family members,” said Archer.
Residents can just go to the huge screen to push the buttons for what they’re interested in doing. Staff can work with groups of residents or individuals for recreation, exercise, memory tests, etc.
For example, seniors can go to any city in the world, Rome for example, to take a walking tour of the city. They can also simulate a bike ride through a forest or up a mountain trail.
They can find the music they most love and hear performances or sing along.
They can listen to a favorite religious leader give a sermon or learn lessons about things they always wanted to study but never got the chance.
Staff also receive valuable lessons, such as how best to help residents with dementia and how the disease progresses.
The open house was a great success that had family members playing with the IN2L system and finding out what it would mean for their loved one.
