Older people are given confidence to enjoy technology with the help of Breezie

Working in partnership with Age UK, an easy to use tablet interface has been designed and created to meet the needs of older people using technology – calling itself Breezie.

Breezie has been made for older people experiencing the internet and touch screen technology for the first time, providing support and assistance to ensure users become confident and get the most out of being online.

Breezie Process

Breezie aims to make people feel supported every step of the way, from showing a welcome message when they first switch the tablet on, to providing a weekday helpline which is accessible via the tablet itself.

A first time user of Breezie, Geoff Goulden, 88, said: “For people who have never used technology before this is a great way to get them using the most useful things on the internet.”

Simple Interface

The technology works by providing an alternative interface which is aimed to simplify the experience for older people who have not used touch screen technology or accessed the internet before.

The user has three options to choose from; their own scrapbook of notices and messages directly linked to facebook, an address book and a list of apps which are directly personalised to them.

Jessica Riches, head of customer engagement at Breezie, explained: "Simplifying Facebook and Skype allows older users to stay in touch with friends and family around the world, putting an end to the loneliness they frequently feel. This personal contact also gives loved ones peace of mind that their older relatives are healthy and are receiving the correct care, which we've found to be a huge benefit for those living in care facilities or alone.

Each person using the app for the first time receives help from a family member or friend, who becomes their Breezie Partner and is able to remotely control the apps on the tablet.

The address book can be updated by the partner who can add pictures and link up the tablet with others via Skype, which has been integrated into the programme allowing the older person to immediately Skype without needing to open an extra app.

Testing Breezie

Observing the Breezie in action with someone with little experience of technology reveals why it has been championed by Age UK.

It has a simple and clean layout that has large print and offers users only three main choices. Marks to prompt the user can be installed by their sponsor and the help option is clear.

Mr Goulden, said: “This could definitely help older people who might lack confidence. It is easy to use and gets rid of the confusing buttons that are on similar things.

“I have experience with a laptop and have found this to be very easy to understand and feel in control of. Having a stylus is useful because although I have used a touch screen before, for those who haven’t, not having any buttons to press can be off-putting and a new way of choosing options. “I have not used the help function however I think it is a good tool to be available. I think people would use it because they might be worried about asking their friends or family for help on a regular basis.

“I would talk to my family the most out of all the functions, the pictures will give me confidence I am contacting the right person.

“There is a wide variety of things to do on the tablet, it is easily managed and is suited to the types of things I would want to look at.”

From puzzles to news and shopping to social media sites, Breezie displays all apps in a scrolling screen with the options in large boxes to promote easy handling. The sponsor is able to personalise the tablet to suit the preferences and tastes of the user.

Sponsors can also leave messages for the person to receive when they turn the tablet on and contact details can be added to the address book remotely without the older person accessing and having to negotiate the tablet’s settings.

Ms Riches from Breezie said:"For older people who spend lots of time in one place, the entertainment options offered by Breezie are endless. Catch-up TV is in-demand for users living in institutions with shared facilities, games and quizzes help keep minds sharp and countless apps reunite older users with important hobbies and pastimes from throughout their lives.

"We know that it's not just an award-winning software that makes a difference, but personal and friendly customer support, too. We offer Internet orientation sessions to indivual users to help them get the most from getting online, and work closely with all of our care home partners to ensure that adding Breezie to their locations creates the most beneficial impact for the users and the organisation."

Hugh Forde, managing director of Age UK Trading, said: “Research shows that 4.8 million people aged 65 and over have never used the Internet.

“Age UK’s ambition is to ensure more older people are able to make the most of later life and we recognise the huge benefits the Internet offers. We believe Breezie will make a real difference to older people who may find technology intimidating and complicated, helping them stay connected with friends and loved ones, make savings and pursue their interests and hobbies.”

For more information about Breezie go to http://www.breezie.com/ or call 0800 917 7588 to find out about how Breezie can work for you or your