Communication or social tools (p1):
Research, explorations, discussions, and products and resources relating to Communication or social tools: from Tech-enhanced Life.
Tools that help communicate with others such as family or caregivers. Examples include video conferencing equipment, websites that help with email, and social networking portals.
For Older Adults, their Families, and Caregivers
— and for Companies Creating Innovations Related to Aging.
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Analysis & Exploration | Explorer Discussions | Resources and Products shared by our Explorers.
How to Find "Whatsername" After All These Years?
Peter Paul and Mary had a hit single decades ago called “Whats-her-name.” The chorus goes: “I wonder whatever happened to whatshername.” Your PC might help you find not only whatshername, but also whatshisname too. Here is how to do it.
Technology & the Future of Aging
This is a live recording (slides and audio) of a talk given by Richard Caro entitled "The Future of Aging, & the Intersection of Aging & Technology". This talk was given in March 2019, at the Commonwealth Club, San Francisco.
Technology for Older Adults: Notable from 2020
As far as Technology for Older Adults goes, we saw some positive developments emerging in 2020, despite the pandemic, and some promising products gaining traction. Here are trends and products we think are notable from 2020.
Virtual Connections to the Tech-Challenged
How do you have rich and engaging interactions with your parent who you can't visit in person? Especially if they cannot, or will not, adopt mainstream consumer technologies.
That's the challenge we are exploring in this article.
How to Set Up Alexa Calling for a Loved One
Are you looking for a way to setup video chats with your loved one who lives independently or in a facility? This article tells you how to do that, using the Echo Show, without requiring your loved one to do any of the "setting up".
Amazon Echo and Alexa for the Elderly
The older adults in our explorer groups have recently become interested in a relatively new product: the Amazon Echo and its artificial intelligence Alexa. Here are their thoughts on topics like: do we want one; why would we want one; what do we use it for; and wouldn't it be great if it could also do ...".
Best Video Call Technology
Now that we are all "sheltering in place", finding ways to interact virtually with people from our homes has rocketed up people's priority list.
We have had quite a few emails now from people wanting to know the best way to have video calls with their family and friends. Here are some... ....... Read more
The Conversation: End of Life Wishes, Providence
In Part 1 of our "End of Life" discussion, Beth Levow, a volunteer with the “The Conversation Project”, explains the resources this Boston-based non-profit program offers to enable conversations about one’s wishes for end-of-life care with family members, friends, physicians, and others. .........Read more
SF Explorers use Amazon Echo Show to Reach Across the Country
The San Francisco Explorers participate in a cross country video call demonstration of the use of an Amazon Echo Show. .........Read more
Rosalie Sings the Praises of Amazon's Alexa
Explorer Rosalie reports to the group on her experience from Amazon's first Echo and newer products and Alexa skills, including "Let's Chat". .........Read more
Amazon Echo Stimulates Explorers' Imaginations
This group of older adult explorers discuss the Amazon Echo device. A pair of enthusiastic explorers introduce the product which they have recently started using. .........Read more
What We Use Alexa For: Lights
Explorer Jan describes her newest tech gadget to the group. .........Read more
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WellBe
WellBe from HandsFree Health is a virtual healthcare assistant, which comes in a smart speaker and, optionally, with a modern-looking, smartwatch-type medical alert.
Soundmind
Sound mind is "a voice activated care assistant that reduces social isolation and keeps everyone connected". It is a curated set of skills running on an Amazon Show. It includes video calling (as do all Show products) and also some additional skills including the ability to have the device show...
Theora Care
Theora Care is designed to combine the functions of a smartphone app with wearable devices and other sensors to keep caregivers and care recipients connected. The initial use case is for people with dementia.
K4Connect
K4Connect has created a technology platform (called the K4Community) designed to be a "smart OS for senior living". It includes a variety of smarthome devices and the use of Alexa as a Voice Interface, all connected to an enterprise system that helps a senior living facility "manage" its...
Kubi Telepresence Robot
Kubi is a stand for a tablet (such as an iPad) that lets a remote user control the tilt and direction in which the tablet is facing. This makes video calls to a less sophisticated friend or family member better — in that you can adjust the position of the iPad so the person you are talking to...
Ohmni Robot
The Ohmni Robot is a virtual telepresence robot. One of its applications is to enable grownup children, living far from their parents, to be able to "beam in" to their parent's house and have a virtual visit.
Lumin
Lumin is a freestanding simplified touch screen with an app designed to help keep in touch with family, friends or caregivers through video, text, voice and photo sharing.
Livindi
Livindi is a "keeping an eye on them" type of system that includes a large tablet (the LivindiPad) for video calls and photo viewing, as well as an (optional) suite of sensors to help monitor a person's activities and an emergency button. It includes an "App" that lets a caregiver monitor...
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