KT Nursing Home Safe Visits...Video Calls for Up to 8 People on Large TV

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] KT announced on the 28th that it will support “Safe Visits to Nursing Homes” using the ‘Narle’ video call service for nursing homes where visits are prohibited due to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) during the Chuseok holiday.

KT planned the Safe Visits to Nursing Homes as a new non-face-to-face social contribution activity, allowing patients and their families to visit with peace of mind. This is to address the concerns of many patients and families experiencing the “pain of a lifelong separation” due to the unavoidable visit bans at nursing homes caused by COVID-19. The KT Safe Visits to Nursing Homes will be first introduced at the Happy Dream Nursing Home in Jangheung, Jeonnam. KT facilitated non-face-to-face meetings for nursing home families by utilizing the ‘Narle’ app, which supports group video calls for up to eight people regardless of the telecom provider. For elderly residents who are not proficient with IT devices, KT provided smartphones and large TV screens so that families’ faces can be seen on a big screen.

Starting with the Happy Dream Nursing Home, KT plans to expand support for safe visits to nursing homes nationwide. KT will also provide training for nursing assistants so that elderly residents can use smartphones for video calls even without a separate TV.

Lee Seon-joo, Head of KT’s Sustainable Management Division (Executive Director), said, “This Safe Visits to Nursing Homes will help overcome not only the situation where visits are banned due to COVID-19 but also the spatial and temporal limitations of families who cannot visit nursing homes frequently. We will continue to carry out activities that can support the public facing difficulties due to COVID-19.”