Mental health & communication project

Situation

In late March 2020 the World Health Organisation declared a world Pandemic caused by the rapidly spreading Covid 19 virus. The British Government supported by the Scottish Government implemented a number of restrictive measures including “Lockdown” and “Shielding” in order to reduce the movement of the public and the spread of the virus. This meant that many individuals with cognitive decline who relied on family, carers, day services and their local community for additional support had their support removed overnight. While services made plans for alternative methods of service delivery for example telephone contact, meal delivery etc. individuals were left socially isolated, often leading to further cognitive decline.

District 1020 would like to consider the purchase of tablets and supporting software to tackle the social isolation and support isolated individuals, thus enhancing their social interaction and quality of life.

Background

District 1020 considered the impact of isolation in the community and the lack of resource available to groups working with dementia and cognitively impaired clients and applied for a Global Grant to tackle mental health and isolation caused by the Covid 19 pandemic and the restrictions placed on vulnerable people.

Work in a local district general hospital {ST Johns @ Livingston} within the busy general medical wards highlighted that the use of technology and various meeting platforms could bring individuals together remotely. This was found to be a highly positive experience for patients, families and staff increasing the social contact with families while reducing distress and agitation with dementia patients.

With guidance from the dementia nurse specialist staff down loaded music, games, puzzles and painting apps to tablets and were very enthused when the cognitively impaired individuals with a little prompting in the beginning were soon mastering the technology and the games. The technology was also used to allow carers and families be in contact daily with patients who were identified as being isolated and vulnerable.

Assessment

Local Rotary Groups have begun to identify numerous support groups and day centres many of whom are run on a voluntary basis with grant funding that had clients who would benefit both in the short term during the immediate restrictions of the pandemic and in the longer term if they become house bound or have service cut backs from remote face to face contact from services or “ zoom type coffee mornings” . It would be very beneficial on a number of levels for individuals to have social contact, be able to use the various activities apps and have face to face contact with professional care givers who would be in a better position to monitor their health status. However resources are such that to purchase tablets devices to ensure internet access are possibly beyond the reach of many groups.

Update

After a successful deployment, a second tranche of tables has been made available, enough for an additional two per club. Clubs can apply for them on the main Foundation page.