News

Actions

New tool to connect seniors to family

Posted at 5:17 PM, Feb 23, 2017
and last updated 2017-02-24 15:32:46-05

There's a new tool here in Southwest Florida to connect homebound seniors with their families and loved ones.

Comfort Keepers of Southwest Florida rolled out its new "grandPad" to some local clients Thursday.

William Isaacson was one of the clients to receive training on the device today in Fort Myers. The grandPad is a senior-friendly tablet designed to keep seniors connected to their families and friends, even when they can't leave the home.

Unlike an I-pad, the grandPad is specifically designed for seniors. There's no "on" button. It comes out of the box ready to go and it's safe so scammers can't collect their date or target them.

The interface is large and intuitive, coming with several pre-loaded games and music for entertainment.

Many homebound seniors face isolation and depression, but the hope is these pads can reduce that isolation while also stimulating the user's mind and improving their dexterity.