Technology

Creating Connection Through Technology

As we age and the pace of life slows down a bit, we might seek out and value simple things, like connection and comfort, a bit more. Often, however, family and friends may be spread out across miles, which can make that comfort and connection a little harder to come by. The Thrive Center in downtown Louisville is dedicated to finding ways to help people stay comfortable, active, and healthy as they transition to the later stages in life, and have formed partnerships with a number of companies that are focused on fostering a sense of connection through technology.

BETTER VIDEO CALLING

The Meta Portal is bringing people together in a whole new way. While video calling technology is something that most of us are familiar with, the Meta Portal takes it to the next level with a large viewing screen, user-friendly interface, and a motion-tracking camera that keeps you in the frame as you move, providing an interactive experience that is not too different from an in-person conversation. “We don’t typically think like that person who is maybe lonely and isolated at home or disabled. Not until you are in that position do you think about how a small thing like that can benefit them,” says Sheri Rose, Thrive Center CEO. She and other experts on aging believe that connection to those who are most important to us is important not only to our mental health, but our physical health as well.

@elliqsidekick

SOCIAL ROBOT

For some, connection with others can be a challenge, but the social companion robot ElliQ seeks to fill that void and become a friend to the user. Through the use of AI technology, ElliQ interacts with the user, learning our habits and behaviors, and uses what it learns to provide a better experience. Marketed as a “social robot” for aging adults, ElliQ operates with voice commands, which enables it to tell jokes, play games, and interact in advanced ways. During the recent lockdowns, Sheri explains, “the state of New York bought 800 ElliQ’s and distributed them among their older population. The effect was significant. Intuition Robotics, the developers of ElliQ, report not only an 80% decrease in loneliness after using ElliQ, but also evidence that 82% of those using ElliQ remain more mentally active as they age, which can be vital in the fight against dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

@JoyforAllCompanionPets

ROBOTIC PETS

Perhaps the most adorable product on the market that is fostering connection and comfort for adults as they age is robotic pets. Meant for those who are unable to care for a live pet, whether for personal or residential reasons, Joy For All creates robotic cats and dogs that purr or bark just like the real thing. With built-in sensors and speakers, the pets react to the voice and touch of their owner, and respond to being cuddled and petted. This can be a great solution for those who miss having a furry best friend. Joy For All also makes a robotic bird called the Walker Squawker. This cutie attaches to a walker, and sings when the walker is in motion, providing not only companionship and motivation to keep moving, but also a safety feature so that others can look out for walkers when they are on the move.

LEARN MORE

While the Thrive Center is not a retail space and does not sell any of these products directly, many of the products on display in their showroom offer discount codes for those who discover their devices in the Thrive Center. Sheri Rose is passionate about helping people stay in their homes as they age. “We want people to know about the possibilities of what’s out there,” she explains. To learn more about Thrive and the work they do, visit thrivecenterky.org.

By Vanessa Hutchison

Winter 2022-2023 | TodaysTransitions.com