As The Digital Line (TDL) begins to expand its distribution program of Alexa devices to care homes in the UK and Europe, we would like to share a brief story of Constance (Madge) Breakspear, a resident at The Royal Garden Hotel care home in Sussex, who we believe – at an amazing 103 years of age – is the most senior user of Amazon’s Alexa technology we have engaged with to date.
Constance was born on 11th July 1916, two years before the outbreak of Spanish Flu, and she has lived through two World Wars.
She was an estate agent for the early part of her life and then after the second world war she worked as a secretary until she eventually retired.
Married for over 35 years until her husband passed away, Constance is now a permanent resident at The Royal Garden Hotel and has quickly become a fan of the Alexa technology that The Digital Line (TDL) has been rolling out in volume to a number of homes across the country. Thanks to this initiative, Constance has been able to video call her family, including her niece who would ordinarily have come to visit her.
Through our Alexa “Show Me” Spaces program, we are rolling out more devices to care homes so residents can connect with their families.
Said TDL Director, Andy Coney, “These are unprecedented times and we all have a responsibility to support the most vulnerable members of our society – members who provided the foundations for younger generations to thrive and prosper. For many people living alone or in care, not having that regular connection with their families can be devastating.
“Technology companies have the tools to support them and using something as simple as an Alexa device, means residents can see and speak to their loved ones, whenever they want to. Because of our extensive experience in this sector, TDL is able to help with a solution that works and can be easily deployed.”
Said Royal Garden Hotel Director, Julian Lindsell, “Care homes are at the centre of the Covid-19 crisis right now and we will do anything we can to keep our residents safe. The virus lives on surfaces and can be passed through touch so one of the most important aspects of using Alexa for us is the fact that you can control everything with your voice.
“For our residents, being able to see and speak to their families is hugely important at this difficult time and it is proving to be one of the most rewarding aspects of my role right now that I can use this technology to connect people.”
If you would like further information on TDL’s digital initiatives, then click here.
For more information on The Royal Garden Hotel visit their website here.
Ben Whittaker
Tags: Connectivity, Health, Health Care, Lifestyle