My Future Personal Care Home
This is an open letter to my kids and grandkids.
(SUBSCRIBE HERE to receive email updates whenever there is a new post at Boyle Park Banter)
If the time arrives for my own personal care home experience, I require a very high level of communications technology. I don’t know if this is 10 years away or 20 years. It could happen next year! Therefore, my wishes are based on currently available technology.
In addition to a warm comfortable space, competent friendly staff, and great food. I also need the ability to be in frequent electronic contact with my family.
A personal computer in the room, is mandatory. It must be set up in a location so that the camera is focused on my normal chair and the screen is easily visible. Use a simple locking cable if the facility has people who like to wander off with stuff. An additional
option would be a portable camera and screen (cell phone?) that can come to the dining room.
This computer must also be equipped with remote control software (TeamViewer and AnyDesk are a couple of currently available apps that are free for personal use). This computer must be always on. This remote-control ability assumes that I have lost the capacity to run my own technology. (I have a feeling that my password ability will be the first total mental failure!)
As family, please work out a pattern that I can be part of your normal day. First thing in the morning; mealtimes; coffee time; wine & cheese; “good night” time … Also try to be part of 
my day when the staff are with me – care staff, medical staff, activities staff. Treat me like I’m right there living in your house, but, of course, exercise your right to simply turn me off when you need your own life! Please, also setup my entertainment: streaming services, photo loops etc.
I would also like us to invest in a duplicate set of technology so that you can also adopt an additional resident to this plan – one that doesn’t have a family.
This plan will raise discussions of privacy and security. In 1623, William Shakespeare wrote: “”And you all know, security, Is mortals’ chiefest enemy.” First, I personally waive these concerns in favour of my own emotional health. I request that my Powers of Attorney do the same. Second, do not put me into a home where staff demand an expectation of privacy. Yes, I know that it is their workplace, but it is my home. I want you to know what is going on. If privacy becomes an issue, ensure that regulators guarantee a resident’s right to this level of openness.
All of the above technology is readily available and cost is modest.