Care Messenger is a social communication system designed specifcally for the elderly. It allows other users to send reminders, photos and messages directly to the elderly person's TV. The recipient can reply back through their TV remote with a simple choice of responses.
Care Messenger is a social communication system designed specifcally for the elderly. It allows other users to send reminders, photos and messages directly to the elderly person's TV. The recipient can reply back through their TV remote with a simple choice of responses.
Care Messenger is a social communication system designed specifcally for the elderly. It allows other users to send reminders, photos and messages directly to the elderly person's TV. The recipient can reply back through their TV remote with a simple choice of responses.
AN INNOVATIVE and easy to use communication tool aimed at tackling the current problems of isolation and loneliness within the elderly in the UK, has just been launched. Technology business i-Spy Digital has launched Care Messenger, a simple social communication system designed specifcally for the elderly which connects them to their family, friends and even their doctor through their own TV and remote. Care Messenger has been designed for use by those who are not always confdent with new technology but spend most their time in front of the TV such as the older generation. It allows other users to send reminders, photos and messages via an app on their PC, smartphone or tablet directly to the elderly persons TV. The recipient can then reply back through their TV remote with a simple choice of responses, if given. Paul Slaughter, CEO of i-Spy Digital, said: We know from Age UK that isolation within the elderly is a major issue and Care Messenger is a way of tackling that problem. We live in an ageing population where almost a quarter of the countrys population will be aged 65 and over by 2034. There is a growing need for more technology tailored around helping the elderly tackle feelings of isolation, we have listened to those needs and created something that can be used socially but also logically as a tool for doctors to keep in touch with older patients sending out reminders of appointments or to take medication. The elderly are very familiar with using their TV remote controls and so the development of Care Messenger was built around modern and familiar technology so that relatives easily keep in contact. Technology expert and ex-Tomorrows World presenter Michael Rodd said: Back in the 1970s all of us on Tomorrows World understood that technology is only valuable if those who can beneft are confdent about using it. Now Ive reached an age when I understand only too well that, for older people, Care Messenger ofers the very real benefts of todays digital world without any need to get involved in intimidating memory tests like passwords and IDs. What makes it special is the tricky stuf that keeps the service personal and secure is left to those best able to handle such things younger relatives, friends and supporters who can use the best of todays communication technology to let those who they care about share in their excitement of being alive and help take care of everyones well being. Britain was recently identifed as the loneliness capital of Europe in a recent survey by the Ofce for National Statistics. Alma Caldwell, CEO at Age UK North Tyneside says: We see Care Messenger as being an excellent way to allow families and carers to communicate with their elderly loved ones and clients. It is a very exciting product which is very simple to install and use and yet has a massive impact on elderly people. Care Messenger is currently being installed into an extra care scheme in Sunderland, Dovecote Meadow. Victoria Barclay, the regional director from Housing and Care 21 said: We have almost 100 tenants in our new scheme and we are really pleased with the beneft that our residents have had from Care Messenger. This is the third elderly community we have integrated this technology into successfully. Paul Slaughter adds: With Care Messenger the elderly can be connected to all their family and friends who will then lessen the burden of isolation. Our aim is to open up a whole new world of contact and communication for the elderly and especially those people whose family do not live near them. The Care Messenger set top box takes minutes to install onto any TV and with it any number of relatives and friends can send unlimited messages to the recipient. For further information visit www.caremessenger.co.uk or phone 0191 206 4004. - ENDS - Media, for more information contact: Sally Pearson, Head of PR, Press Ahead: T: 0191 516 6235 | M: 07860 953 888 | E: sp@pressahead.info Misba Islam, PR Assistant, Press Ahead: T: 0191 516 6235 | M: 07517650884 NOTES TO EDITOR: Link to a short flm about Mary Laidlow, with Michael Rodd, about what Care Messenger means to her: http://www.vimeo.com/99016664 There are over 5 million adults in the UK cut of from email, messaging and social media and up to 75% of people who are aged 65 plus are not confdent in using the internet (source: OFCOM) The UK has an ageing population and by 2034, 23% of the population will be 65 plus. Caring for Britains growing elderly population is estimated to cost up to 106 billion per year and in 2010, around 600,000 people were in full time care in the UK with an additional 1.7 million regarded as infrm and in need of some support. The capacity of the countrys care homes will need to increase by 82% over the two decades to allow us to cope with the change in demographic. (Source: OFCOM) Britain the Loneliness Capital of Europe (Statistics from the Ofce of National Statistics)