Released in the wake of NSW Seniors Week, the Android-only app Tapestry has been released to help connect seniors with their families, their carers and their community.
By providing access to email, family photos and social platforms like Google+, Instagram and Facebook all from one place, Tapestry aims to relieve a sense of isolation often experienced by aged Australians.
Andrew Dowling says the app has been designed to help keep people connected.
“Tapestry is about integrating all technologies for users in the one place,” he said.
“The way it works, one family member opens a family account and invites other members to join the group. The idea is that family members will add photos to the family page everyone in the group can look at.”
Dowling’s grandmother is a huge fan.
“What’s amazed us is the impact it’s had on her feeling connected with the family. If she sees a photo of someone’s birthday party she’ll give them a call.”
The app was trailed in aged care facilities around Sydney late last year. Interestingly, said Dowling, most of those involved in the trial are still using the app even though they’d never used this kind of technology before.
In the future, he hopes Tapestry as a service portal where seniors and their carers connect.
At villages.com.au, we have found in excess of 25% of users who visit our site today do so on a mobile device.