A Bedford housing association has embraced technology to help their residents and loved ones stay in touch throughout the coronavirus pandemic.
Bedford Citizens Housing Association (BCHA) have introduced a range of new systems at Charter House to support families with up-to-the-minute information about their relatives’ well-being.
They have also issued residents with iPads so they can use FaceTime and Google Hangouts to ‘virtually’ visit their families.
Technology has helped with everything from digitising the administration of medicine to creating an online booking system for calls and a relative’s portal has been added to the website so that families can see actual real-time recording of care being provided daily.
As government guidelines have been relaxed, safe visiting spaces have been created in the garden and families can book appointments online to have social distanced meetings.
One resident’s family told the Bedford Independent, “The video links have been brilliant and a really good way for us to keep in touch during these challenging few months.
“It has given us the opportunity to see and talk to my loved one regularly and to reassure them that we are all well.”
Marie Taylor, Chief Executive of BCHA says, “These have been extremely challenging times for care homes but along with ensuring the physical health of our residents we know how important it is for their mental health that they are able to see and talk to their families even if it is virtually.
“It is equally important for the families themselves to keep up to speed with their loved one’s care and with our relative’s portal they are able to have up to the minute details.”
