New British Company Helps Elderly Overcome Isolation And Connect To Community Through Television Sets

Sparko Virtual Retirement Community, a new British company endorsed by several Age UK branches, is offering an easy and affordable way for elderly people to overcome isolation and loneliness, stay safe and remain in touch with family, friends and the local community – all through their home television set.

The service is an innovative combination of easy-to-use technology and human support to improve quality of life for the elderly user, allowing them to remain independent and active within the local community. A box connected to the television allows unlimited communication and entertainment, and a dedicated local community coordinator helps with social and technical support, safety and security.

The elderly user can enjoy live classes and groups ranging from language lessons to fitness, mental wellbeing and cooking, interacting through their televisions using a simplified remote control.

They can easily make unlimited video or audio calls to loved ones and friends, share photos and get access to a library of thousands of videos chosen to suit their interests, along with a Happy News channel. Family members or carers can also set up reminders, including when to take medications, which pop up on the television.

Orit Eyal-Fibeesh, chief executive officer of Sparko, the company which provides the new service, said: “Many elderly people are not just lonely but face the alarming prospect of selling their home to fund living in a care home. We offer an alternative way to remain part of the community and to connect with family, friends and the local community right in your living room.

“Instead of struggling with mobile devices and Skype or FaceTime logins, we offer a simple solution – with plenty of help and support from our friendly and caring local staff – where they can chat live with family and local friends via their television set while keeping mentally and physically fit with live classes, games, and lots of specially-chosen videos. The emotional reactions of everyone who has tried it have been heart-warming and we’re delighted to bring family and friends closer together.”

Almost three-quarters of elderly people in the UK say they feel lonely, according to a survey of more than 1,000 people carried out by the Joe Cox Commission on Loneliness, and 200,000 elderly people have not had a single conversation with friends or family for a whole month according to another survey by the commission.
Age UK successfully trialled the new service in several branches of the charity in London and Oxford, all of which endorsed it.

Jane Caldwell, chief executive officer of Age UK East London, said: “We love this service because it is a brilliant way to use the technology that all older people have in their own homes already, their television, to connect to activities, information and to each other. It opens the door to a range of tailored content with exercise and educational classes and great dramas including old movie classics.

“If an older person can’t attend their usual class we can live stream the class into their home and if they are nervous to attend a new class they can connect to someone who also wants to attend. Older people have been enjoying speaking to their sons and daughters through the video call function and reporting that it’s so much more personal than a phone call.”

The service includes a box connected to WiFi and the television set, along with a camera for video calls which can be covered for additional privacy. A broadband connection is required. It can be installed easily by a family member or, if required, by a member of the Sparko team wearing full personal protection equipment.

An app available on Android or iOS allows video calls to be made between family members, carers and the elderly user, and photos and messages to be sent straight to their TV. They can regularly check in to make sure the user is safe and well, and create diary reminders for important medications, birthdays and special occasions.

Once coronavirus distancing restrictions have eased, users can also enjoy extended care from local coordinators – who also carry out repairs, admin and general errands – along with social activities including religious events, classes, festivals and walks.