Alcove Covid-19 Virtual Care Case Studies (3/7) - Independent Older Adult in Stockton: Dot's Story

As part of Loneliness week we are bringing you beautiful examples every day of how the Alcove Video Carephone is being used to connect families, carers and communities.

This is case study 3: Dot's Story, narrated by her family whom receive her video carephone calls using their Alcove smartphone Apps. 

"Nana Dot is 84 and lives independently in a bungalow in Norton, Stockton on Tees. She is fiercely independent and does not need a care package – she has many daughters and so many grandkids I’ve lost count! Under Covid 19 lockdown she hasn’t been able to see them which was quite distressing.

Previously we have tried to put technology in, but concerns were raised “she hasn’t got the internet”, “She won’t know what to do”.. However, this time they were overridden and in the post Nana Dot was sent an Alcove Video Carephone with a built in Sim Card and clear instructions, and out of the box added onto the screen are each of her 4 Daughters as a ‘tile’ that she just presses for an instant video call.

Nana is completely digitally excluded with only a landline and has never used a mobile or a smartphone.

Within ten minutes and no guidance – she had turned it on, plugged it in and was video calling her Daughter Dawn and seeing the grandkids she loves so much for the first time in weeks.

‘“We’re all calling, she can see the grandkids – she’s loving it!!” Diane -  daughter of Dot, 84.

They haven’t been off it since.