Geeks For Geezers

In about 10 days we’ll know if our IN Touch proposal (iPads for transitional care) has been accepted. Odds are we’ll make it work one way or another even if we’re not awarded the grant. It makes too much sense. See the 4/3/11 post if you want details of the project. One idea I’ve been playing with while we wait I’m calling Geeks For Geezers. The volunteer activities my high school junior participates in prompted me to realize many of these kids would be the perfect tech support to help the IN Touch program’s iPad carrying patients. What a cool intergenerational interaction.

iPads For Old Folks

Well, we’ve done it. Our ad-hoc team of three (RN, aging specialist, and techie educator) completed our grant proposal before deadline. We’re going to lend iPads to sick old people to improve their health and quality of life. Even if we don’t get the money, we’ll still find some way to implement this plan. It makes too much sense. The reductions in readmissions alone will pay for the iPads and the hours of the nurse coordinator.

Various initiatives around the country are already looking at care transitions for long term care patients. Our project could be used to boost the efficacy of any of them. I’ve written previously (on 3/9 and 3/21) about the goals and strategies of idea. Our final proposal for the grant from our parent patient-centered care organization fleshes out those general descriptions and weaves in some specifics: community partnerships, details of the metrics of outcome evaluation, and even some anecdotal evidence to support the success of use of iPads by the elderly. This widely viewed you-tube clip of 100 year old Virginia Campbell and her iPad is compelling.