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A community room inside the Southwest Library in D.C.鈥檚 Ward 6 was packed with older residents.
Some had canes, some had walkers, one had a wheelchair, but all were eager to get a chance to be heard about their concerns and weren鈥檛 shy about participating in some movement instruction as well.
All were there to let Volunteers of America, an organization that provides affordable housing, know how they felt about various tech solutions aimed at boosting security, connection and wellness in older residents.
Stephen Samuels, vice president of Volunteers of America, explained that one of the latest projects is slated for completion in Buzzards Point near Audi Field.
鈥淲e want to build a best-in-class project that integrates health and housing,鈥� so that residents can age at home, he said.
A number of the products being demonstrated were designed to boost safety and security in senior housing.
鈥淥ne of the companies allows you to open your door from your phone 鈥� it allows you to see who鈥檚 outside from your phone,鈥� Samuels said.
Another company called Ping Cares provides what Samuels said 鈥渋s a very simplified smart watch that has just two numbers with big buttons that you call for emergencies.鈥�
Samuels pointed out that the bulk of older Washingtonians live alone, so the tech is aimed at helping them stay connected 鈥� whether it鈥檚 to their health and social circles 鈥� and secure.
Joan Williams, a Ward 6 resident who鈥檚 very active in local civic and charity organizations, liked the presentations on security, but wasn鈥檛 sure how she felt about keyless systems.
鈥淚n most of our buildings, we have security,鈥� Williams said. 鈥淏ut when you have a lock and a key, chains to keep you in 鈥� to keep folks out 鈥� oh, that鈥檚 awesome!鈥�
She also enjoyed the live online exercise class that allowed participants to take part either seated or standing.
Sharon Easton, another Ward 6 resident, agreed: 鈥淭he exercise portion was awesome 鈥� and I鈥檓 going to do that because I need my knee strengthened.鈥�
Easton also said she鈥檇 share the information she picked up with her 81-year-old sister.
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