About Carers Week
The 5th to 11th June is National Carers Week, focused on ‘recognising and supporting carers in the community’. It’s an annual event that honours the remarkable efforts made in caring for significant others, family members, and friends facing disabilities, age-related challenges, chronic illnesses, and addictions.
Carers UK 2022 research estimates there could be up to 10.6 million unpaid carers in the UK. RealSAM products can help to give carers more time to do other important tasks, and focus on taking care of their own needs, by making support and social interaction more accessible to loved ones.
As a company that provides voice-operated devices for individuals with diverse needs, we understand the significance of Carers Week and the role that technology plays in supporting carers.
In an era dominated by technology, it is crucial to harness its potential to assist carers. Our voice-operated devices are designed to enhance accessibility and independence for individuals who are blind, visually impaired, or facing other disabilities.
Through a simple interface with a ‘tap to talk’ button, RealSAM phones are assistive tools for carers to help their loved ones stay connected. By simply using voice commands, there’s an easier way to make calls, send and receive messages, manage contacts, and get information.
RealSAM can make support easier to access
This technology helps many people reach support independently when carers are not with them. Using their voice, they can call their carer, another supportive family member or friend. This makes it easier to let someone know that they need something from the shops, or they aren’t feeling well and need help.
Be My Eyes
RealSAM has also partnered with Be My Eyes. Sighted assistance can be available anytime, anywhere without someone needing to be physically present. This additional support provides immediate help with simple tasks that might normally be challenging for someone who is blind or visually impaired. With Be My Eyes, a virtual volunteer will use the phone’s camera to locate and identify items, or provide visual interpretation like describing the current surroundings.
For example, they can ask Be My Eyes to help them find a missing slipper, look for their prepared meal in the fridge, figure out what buttons to press on the microwave or find out where their package was dropped off outside.
RealSAM can make social interaction more accessible.
In addition to making assistance easier to access, RealSAM phones can empower carers to help loved ones reach emotional support or prevent social isolation. Contacts can be added and managed by voice. They can also be input through the RealSAM customer portal.
Once set up, it’s easy to ‘tap to talk’ and say, ‘Call..’ Over the phone social interaction with family, friends, other loved ones, telephone befriending, group chats, and counselling promotes mental and emotional wellbeing, when it’s often difficult to be out and about. Being able to hear a grandchild laugh or reminiscing about cherished memories with a friend can uplift spirits.
Supporting Carers
Being a carer is life giving and rewarding. It can also be extremely difficult and exhausting. There’s no one solution that can erase all the challenges, but there can be help in different areas and we aim to be a part of that. Making support and social interaction accessible to loved ones can give carers more time to do other important tasks, or time to focus on taking care of their own needs. It can also provide a sense of accomplishment in that loved ones are getting more independence and meaningful engagement throughout the day.
If you are a carer and you are looking for an easy-to-use mobile phone to help your loved one stay connected, find out more on how RealSAM can be helpful to you by taking a look at our accessible devices or by calling our friendly customer support at 0333 772 2708.
By Guenivir Kendrick
