The Jewish Home Family has introduced iN2L (It’s Never 2 Late) computer units in its facilities and programs after receiving four of them as a gift from the Josephine Sanders Designated Fund of the Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey.
The units feature innovative touchscreen technology designed especially for older adults. The units are located at the Jewish Home at Rockleigh, Gallen Day Center, Jewish Home Assisted Living and Assisted Living’s Memory Lane.
“With the iN2L, we can facilitate activities that are cognitively stimulating, physically engaging, entertaining and much more,” explained Jewish Home Family President and CEO Carol Silver Elliott. “From live web cams in places like the San Diego Zoo to flight simulator programs, from trivia and history to wellness activities, we have really put these to good use in the first weeks that we’ve had them.”
Silver Elliott says that within days of receiving and training staff to use the units, “one of our Memory Lane staff called Assisted Living Executive Director Lauren Levant and told her that she was working with residents and the iN2L, that her shift was over but that the residents didn’t want her to stop! Of course she received permission to continue. That’s the kind of impact this program is having in its earliest days and weeks—imagine what more we can do with it.”
The iN2L units are completely mobile and can be brought to residents’ rooms, as well as used for large groups. The unit is on a specialized cart that can be adjusted to any height and even angle so someone who is bedbound can still participate.
The units have over 3,000 apps and content items, which include old movies, music, games, puzzles, trivia, spiritual programs, wellness exercises and more. The company pushes regular updates to the units, further expanding and diversifying its library.
“Our Endowment Foundation, the endowment and planned-giving division of Federation provides special opportunities for funding innovative, creative and visionary projects. I believe the iN2L computer units meet all three criteria,” says CEO of Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey, Jason Shames. “I’m thrilled that an endowment created 30 years ago by the late Josephine Sanders is having such a positive impact today.”
