What can you do with a social robot in a retirement home? Sharing mealtime is one idea – playing music, having simple chats while you enjoy your lunch or dinner. The recreation teams at Fairview Seniors Community (Cambridge, ON) and Parkwood Seniors Community (in Waterloo, ON) are finding new ways of engaging residents by sharing a social robot between their two campuses.
We were delighted to visit in November to provide some additional training and software updates. While we were on site, we got to see resident reactions and the delight when Mindy sang some popular songs as she was guided through the dining room.
Mealtime is always special; residents look forward to being together to visit with each other. While Mindy had been used for music and games and various other recreation activities during the year, she had not visited with the residents at ‘mealtime’ until our visit. Staff and residents were happy to see how easy and fun it is for Mindy to engage during mealtime.
About Fairview Parkwood Communities
Fairview Parkwood Communities are not-for-profit, charitable, faith-based communities with two campuses offering a continuum of care. At Parkwood in Waterloo, residents have access to a range of housing options including:
- Parkwood Mennonite Home, a Long-Term Care Home for 96 residents
- Parkwood Suites Retirement Residence, a retirement residence providing Independent, Supportive and Assisted Living across 77 suites and apartments
- 18 condominium style Garden Homes for seniors living independently
Parkwood is expanding this spring with the opening of a new six-storey apartment building for independent older adults featuring 90 units, of which 28 will be offered as affordable housing, aligning with their vision to ‘Build a Community for All’.
In Cambridge, Fairview offers 214 independent living units, 46 retirement living suites and 84 long term care beds. It also has a Seniors Active Living Centre and offers home and community care.
Leadership
Kudos to Elaine Shantz, CEO at Fairview and Parkwood Mennonite Communities for her leadership and support of this innovative technology. In early December 2023, Fairview Mennonite Homes and Parkwood Mennonite Home Inc. were pleased to announce they have been Accredited with Exemplary Standing by Accreditation Canada determined by a thorough assessment against national standards. This is the highest level of performance achievable. To read more about their achievement, visit: https://fairviewmh.com/2023/12/22/media-release-accreditation-canada/
Mindy is ready to meet you too!
For more activity ideas, visit this page. If you or someone you know might like to buy or lease a social robot, please contact us today!