The Tualatin Senior Resource Fair was a hub of activity, filled with knowledgeable vendors and engaged attendees. When Susan Noack first invited me to share writing duties with her, she explained that this column was meant to help seniors navigate a senior world. During a break from my volunteer duties at the Welcoming Table, I wandered through the fair, specifically looking for ways to make that navigation a little easier. I could hardly write in my notepad fast enough!
I was intrigued by a company called Hello Everyday, a Lake Oswego-based company. It offers home safety technology designed for people who live alone, making it especially helpful for seniors. A small plug-in device called a Hello Sensor detects human movement in a room and can reassure families that their loved one is up and active. No cameras, microphones, Wi-Fi, or apps are used.
Trusted contacts receive daily messages letting them know their loved one is on the move or that normal movement isn’t detected. If my mom still lived alone, I think I would have appreciated that little extra confirmation each day that she was up and about. This unique device seems like a thoughtful way to provide peace of mind for everyone involved.
Another technology that caught my eye was CaptionCall. I spoke at length to account manager Titus Cain, whom I have seen at many resource fairs. He explained that Caption Call is a telephone service that lets the user talk on the phone while reading captions of what the other person is saying. It works by turning speech into subtitles that appear on-screen in real time. It can even save conversations so they can be read after the call. The user can use a CaptionCall phone or app. The service is funded through a federal telecommunications program under the Americans with Disabilities Act and is provided at no cost to people who qualify with hearing loss. To self-qualify for hearing loss, you’ll answer three questions: Do you have hearing loss? Does your hearing loss make it difficult or impossible to understand phone conversations? Do you need captions to use the phone effectively? If you struggle with phone conversations, this might be just what you need!
Yet another service I was impressed with is offered by Oregon Senior Peer Outreach, a free support program for older adults designed to reduce loneliness and isolation. It provides meaningful support and companionship.
Participating seniors are connected with a trained Senior Peer Support Specialist who schedules a weekly phone call to check in and chat. In addition to listening and offering encouragement, peer supporters can help direct participants to helpful community resources. Regular conversations can support the well-being of someone who is grieving, dealing with life stresses, living alone, or feeling isolated. If you are interested in the Senior Connection Program, or know someone who might benefit, you can call 833-736-4676.
In future columns, I hope to share some of the other exciting resources I’ve discovered. We live in a fast-paced time with constant change, and writing this column motivates me to keep an eye on what’s happening in the senior community. Readers sometimes write to tell me about innovative programs they’ve encountered. Just recently, someone contacted me about helping people preserve their life stories through video storytelling, but that’s a column for another day. Until next time, keep learning, connecting, and enjoying the journey.
