Social isolation is tearing away at the senior population. Research shows that its impact can equate smoking 15 cigarettes a day. I had a chance to interview Dr. Kerry Burnight, chief gerontologist for GrandPad, to learn more about how loneliness and isolation can impact existing health conditions for seniors and how families and caregivers can bridge the gap being created by COVID-19 lockdowns and visitation restrictions. How has COVID-19 affected people in nursing homes? COVID-19 has taken a devastating toll on American seniors. Of the 200,000 Americans who have died from COVID, 160,000 of them have been adults aged 65 and older. Those who live in nursing homes have been hardest hit. Fewer than 5% of American seniors live in nursing homes, yet 44% of the COVID deaths among elders have been nursing home residents. That is to say that COVID-19 has killed 70,000 seniors who lived in nursing homes. Older adults who do not contract COVID-19 have another significant challenge to face: social isolation and loneliness. Before the pandemic, 43% of older adults said they feel lonely on a regular basis. As we enter the 8th month of the pandemic, that figure has skyrocketed. Why is social isolation a problem, especially for older adults? Social isolation and loneliness is as dangerous to your health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. It is especially dangerous for older adults. Seniors who are lonely have a 29% increase in risk of coronary heart disease; 32% increase for risk of stroke, and 45% increase risk in mortality. Why was GrandPad created? GrandPad was created by the father-son team of Scott and Isaac Lien who were living in California and wanted a way to stay very connected to Scott’s parents in Iowa. Scott and Isaac were experts in technology and the parents were brilliant people who weren’t afraid to use technology. Yet, there was frustration at every turn: slow wifi; outdated equipment; forgotten passwords; hearing and vision challenges. Scott and Isaac realized that if the experience was this frustrating for them, it had to be even worse for other families. So, they put their expertise and experience to work to create GrandPad. What sets it apart as a communication tool? In a word, everything. The GrandPad team engineered the hardware, software, and service based on the needs of older adults. The design is based on a “90/90” principle; meaning that a 90 year old could be using and delighted with their GrandPad within 90 seconds. The device comes ready to use, right out of the easy-to-open box. It has two, powerful, front-facing speakers which is great for people with hearing loss; large, clear icons make it easy to see and navigate; a custom-designed touchscreen responds to skin that can be dry and thin, which happens as we age; and finally, the ergonomic design and charging cradle make it easy to handle. When you purchase a GrandPad, you assign someone in your family to serve as a Family Administrator. This person can pre-load family photos, videos, and contacts onto the GrandPad so your loved one can immediately begin connecting with a trusted circle of friends and family. To call, text, or email you, all your loved one has to do is find your picture, touch the screen and you’re connected! And because many seniors don’t have in-home WiFi, GrandPad comes with built-in 4G LTE data package, is WiFi enabled, and features a wide variety of games, articles, music and radio, weather, and more. What are some other ways that people can stay connected with older relatives? Humans need humans, just as much as we need to eat and to sleep. When possible, strive for an outdoor backyard get-together. Even while keeping 6-feet apart and wearing masks, the love and connection shared does a world of good. For those who are confined to nursing homes, GrandPad video calls seem to be even more conducive to connection than a “through the window visit” because seniors can see your face clearly and hear what you are saying (or singing) to them. For those living with hearing impairment, GrandPad has real time texting. What about our dear ones with cognitive impairment? GrandPad has a feature called, “auto answer” so your grandparent doesn’t even have to press a single button to connect with you. Every act of thoughtfulness, love, and time spent matters. So dear moms, get out there and connect! GrandPad is helping to keep families and caregivers connected to seniors in skilled nursing facilities, assisted living, or who are living independently — in 127 countries and counting. GrandPad is a tablet designed by a father and son for people 75 years and older. The company is on a mission to improve the lives of millions of seniors by reconnecting them with their families, friends, and caregivers. They recently announced their debut into connected devices, telehealth and connecting seniors with healthcare providers.