Oakland Together Lifeline

About the Program

Category: Information Technology (Best in Category)

Year: 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic, now more than ever, has challenged the ability to maintain meaningful social connections and the impact on the health and well-being of all people. Older adults remain at higher risk for social isolation and loneliness due to the heightened risks of the COVID-19 virus in relation to age. Individuals in senior living facilities amidst the current pandemic are more likely to experience loneliness. Since the beginning of the pandemic guidelines at senior living facilities have evolved and in many cases group activities, group dining, and outside visitors have been put on hold leaving residents with little social contact amongst their peers and the outside world.Oakland County is home to 136,000 adults over 65 with many living in senior living facilities. With such a high senior population Oakland County began to explore how technology may bridge the gap in this time of social distancing. Committed to decreasing loneliness for its senior residents, Oakland County teamed with Amazon and American House Senior Living Facilities to deploy Amazon Echo Show devices to American House residents within the county. Video calling capabilities were offered so senior residents may have an alternative to in person visits with their loved ones.