‘Old School’ Tech Keeping In-home Care Residents Connected

While Zoom and FaceTime are popular ways to keep in touch during the COVID-19 crisis, the ‘old school’ group phone call is keeping Wesley Mission Queensland’s in-home care clients connected.

Staff at Wesley Mission Queensland are using weekly phone conferences, which they’ve dubbed ‘Phone Waves’, to keep clients connected with each other and with staff.

“With respite centres closed due to COVID-19, our in-home care clients were missing the group activities and beginning to feel very isolated and lonely,” said Bronwyn Dawe, coordinator of Wesley Mission Queensland’s Respite Services and Social Inclusion In-Home Care.

“Many of our clients live alone and don’t have access to the technology to do video calls, so we decided to try a conference call over the phone. We have five to six clients on the call, and they share stories about their travels, join in a quiz and share jokes,” Ms Dawe said.

Clients have also been adopting pot plants and knitting knee rugs for people in need or beanies for premature babies in the neo-natal unit at our hospitals.

75-year-old Margaret from the Brisbane suburb of Griffin said she loved the sense of connection the ‘Phone Waves’ program has given her.

“I feel like a teenager again, chatting and laughing with friends on the phone. It’s wonderful to be able to communicate with other people and spend some time-sharing stories.”

Ms Dawe said the initiative had been such a hit that it would continue even after respite centres reopen.

“Every phone call is filled with laughter and fun – it’s a great way to support our clients who are living on their own during this time of physical distancing.”

Find out more about Wesley Mission Queensland. 

Pictured: Phyllis Burchill, one of WMQ in-home care clients, receiving a package and an 'adopt a pot plant'