‘Staying Connected’ Skerries Age Friendly Town

Description

The Skerries AF Town ‘Staying Connected’ initiative is a smart technology solution to enable older people to stay in touch and is a new venture for the town and a response to Covid-19. Skerries Age Friendly Town is a working group under the umbrella of the Skerries Community Association and an initiative of the Fingal Age Friendly County Programme. Age Friendly Skerries is working in partnership with FCC and the Dublin North Integrated Care Team to deliver on this initiative that will target the most vulnerable in our community, enabling them to keep in touch with family and friends, while at the same time, helping HSE Day Care workers to keep in touch with their clients. With the support and guidance of the Integrated Care team the devices were made available to 4 nursing homes in the locality and through the Skerries Community Day Care Service. The devices are provided on a loan basis and will enable vulnerable users to enjoy virtual contact.

Aim of Initiative

Who is it aimed at

Older vulnerable people in Nursing Homes and Day Care Service Settings in Skerries and surrounding areas.

Steps critical to success

1. Support of Nursing Home Staff
2. Support of Dublin North Integrated Care Team
3. Support of Fingal Age Friendly

Challenges in Planning / Delivery

1. Fund raising
2. Level 5 restrictions meant we couldn’t visit nursing homes
3. IT support to users limited due to Covid

Outcomes / Benefits

1. Users able to stay in touch with family and friends
2. Services able to stay in touch with clients
3. Users learning new skills