January 15 was a very special day at Luther Court Society, Victoria. Four residents of Luther Court Community of Care received recognition and achievement certificates for having successfully completed their training in the use of FaceTime to maintain and/or enhance their social connections with family and friends.
For the past decade Church of the Cross has provided meeting space and Wi-Fi access to a community Tablet Group. Pandemic guidelines have resulted in the Tablet Group using the church Zoom account to hold its meetings virtually.
COVID-19 guidelines/restrictions prevented them from meeting in person at the church, and socializing in person was missed by the group members. As the discussion continued on Zoom it was felt that much as we missed the in-person connection, it must be even harder for those in residence at Luther Court.
This realization led to the decision to teach a group of residents to use FaceTime to maintain social connection with family and friends in the community or across the country. Pandemic guidelines meant that the teaching had to be by telephone in the beginning and progress to FaceTime use later on.
When the group approached Luther Court seeking volunteers to be trained, Missions Committee for iPad funding (entry level iPads) and tech support from Church of the Cross, all three gave strong support and encouragement.
Trainers and trainees met virtually once or twice a week for approximately six weeks. The program was a success. Four residents learned to FaceTime and each made a new friend. Program graduates are using FaceTime to connect with family members and with each other.
The tablets used in the training program were donated to Luther Court where they will be an ongoing benefit to the residents.
Evidence of this program’s success is that there are five more residents of Luther Court who are waiting to start FaceTime training and using that knowledge to maintain their social connections with family and friends.
The January 15 and April 7 celebrations were for the residents who developed the skill to FaceTime as a way to help maintain their social connection with family and friends. They also provided recognition of the partnership between Luther Court Community of Care, BC Synod Missions Committee, Lutheran Church of the Cross and the Tablet Group. —Gerry Saleski
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