Oakland Care has announced a partnership with voice tech pioneer Vocala to explore how technology can enhance the lives of its residents.
Vocala uses devices such as Google Home and Amazon’s Alexa to create specialist ‘smarter’ systems tailored to the specific needs of a client group, going beyond the traditional features of these devices to offer advanced functionality.
Oakland Care have partnered with Vocala as part of a six-month pilot of Alexa Smart Properties, which has been installed by Amazon and Vocala. The service will enable residents to access information, entertainment, and services such as lunch menus, visitor arrival times, and planned activities, and to raise queries and requests to team members directly with Alexa-to-Alexa calling, using only their voice.
Initially, ten residents will be provided with a specialist Alexa device that will be managed by the Oakland Care team. Information will be gathered at the start of the trial from residents, families and team members, then again at the end to measure the success.
Branden Suddes, project manager at Oakland Care, said: “We’re delighted to be among the first social care providers to be trialling this innovative new technology in our care homes. As a forward-thinking organisation, we recognise the possibilities that technology can offer our care homes, both for improving resident experience and wellbeing, as well as enhancing the working lives of our team members.
“It has been excellent to see the ways in which this technology can help make an important contribution to the future of social care. These specialist voice technology devices go way beyond their traditional functionality with so many features that look to be extremely beneficial for Oakland Care. We are always looking at the opportunities that products such as this can present for us.”
