Together While Apart: Virtual Families and Friends

Video Games Help Seniors Stay Sharp. Senior Citizens Compete on Wii

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Wii Competition in Nursing Homes.

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Utah Radio Interview with Virtual Granddad and Virtual Dad

KSL News Radio in Salt Lake City interviewed John Gough about visiting with his granddaughter over the webcam, as well as John's son, Michael, who sparked legislation in Utah to give parents the right to virtually visit, and Joyce Maughan, Michael's attorney. Listen to the interview.

Read the transcript.

Grandparents Webcamming With Grandchildren

Grandparents don't let distance come between them, grandchildren, Wisconsin State Journal, Madison,WI,USA. Between visits, technology - especially a Webcam - bridges the miles between grandparents and grandchildren. State Supreme Court Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson and her husband, Seymour (virtually visit) with their two-year old grandson. "He recited the alphabet for us," Abrahamson said. "The dogs got noisy, and he turned to them and said, 'Quiet. I'm talking to Nana.' It was wonderful."

Nursing Homes Install Webcams

A nursing home near Rochester, NY,  Beacon Pointe Memory Care Community, has installed a webcam so residents can communicate with family members, the Rochester Times-Union reports. Logitech is providing 50 free cams to families who particpate. WROC-TV in Rochester did a video report.

Quaker's Landing Memory Care Community near Buffalo  is also participating in the program, part of an initiative by parent company Peregrine Health Management Co. of Syracuse, which is installing web cameras in each of the seven locations in New York and Maryland.

Video-Conferencing Reduces Isolation Among Elderly

Dr. John Huth, an octogenarian and retired engineer from Arlington, VA, is on a crusade to use computers to reduce isolation, depression and boredom among senior citizens. We've helped him utilize a Tablet laptop PC, video email, and video conferencing with a $90 Logitech webcam. Visit his blog.

Dr. Huth is especially eager for comments on his post, "Video-conferencing: the Killer Application to Reduce Isolation and Depression Among Senior Citizens." To discuss this issue, click. Take a look at the screen shot (actual size) of a video conference Dr. Huth set up using MSN Messenger (free software). Anyone with a high-speed Internet connection can learn to set up crisp and unlimited video and audio connections for free or at minimal cost.

Jim Buie, Michael Gough, John Huth and other members of our virtual firm are available to train you, your family, friends or caregivers to utilize these connections, to enhance relationships between parents and children or grandchildren. Contact us.