Maplewood Senior Living, a progressive senior living provider with a flagship Manhattan high-rise location, is now helping residents reconnect with their loved ones with safe in person visits amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The visitations are made possible by a two-way communication technology launched this week by Eversound  , allowing individuals to socialize through their window, from their balcony or at a safe distance outside.

“COVID-19 has changed our world in profound ways and we've quickly adapted,” says Brian Geyser, VP Clinical Innovation & Population Health at Maplewood Senior Living. “From the beginning of COVID, we started working on safe ways for residents and families to socialize, and even visit with each other. Our Safe Visits Pilot with Eversound over Mother’s Day was very successful and we’re excited to expand that program over the coming months.”

The technology enables loved ones to socialize. (Credit: Eversound)

Maplewood’s visitation program is doing more than keeping older adults safe from the virus. It is also reducing risk of social isolation, which can lead to an increased risk of dementia and depression in seniors. Though some studies show residents in senior living are less likely to become socially isolated than those living at home, COVID-19 has made it difficult for many families to visit their loved ones.

“It was great to finally be able to see and talk to Mom, live and in person. After a few minutes we quickly forgot that there was a window separating us!” said Jackie, whose mother lives at Maplewood at Darien.

Eversound isn’t new to the business of keeping older adults socially engaged, having launched out of Cornell University’s eLab Business Accelerator in 2016 and counting nearly 700 senior living clients across North America. The Visitation Package announced this week includes a new configuration designed specifically for use with family members safely interacting with their loved ones.

“Our mission from the beginning has been to help older adults live with social connection and a sense of purpose,” says Jake Reisch, CEO and co-founder of Eversound. “We are beyond grateful to play our small part in keeping at-risk older adults safe and socially engaged.”

Families are now able to schedule “in-person” visits with their loved ones utilizing the Eversound system in all of Maplewood’s 15 independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing communities across Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Ohio.

A video demonstrating the technology can be viewed here  .