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KnowledgeFlow Cybersafety Foundation

Technology To Connect Seniors

Our Mission

To create new technology to enable seniors to safely and easily connect with their loved ones – whether they live independently or in a long-term care facility.

Share Your Opinion View resources

Privacy and Security

When using video chat apps and sites

Many people assume that since they are not discussing matters of national interest that they don’t really need to worry about privacy and security when visiting with friends and relatives online. It’s true that hackers would love to get a hold of state secrets but they are also on the lookout for your personal information. Here are a few things to consider before starting your next video chat with your grandkids.

Remember to be skeptical when someone contacts you claiming to be: a relative, from your bank or credit company, a government official. Even if  they have your name, account number, Social Insurance Number, phone number, address or any other details. These pieces of information are relatively easy for a scammer to access and use to manipulate you.

Privacy

  • Ensure you set a password or entry key code to your teleconference session.
  • Before downloading software, read the company’s privacy policy to ensure that they do not share/sell your information to third party companies.
  • Set up the software to always start the call with your audio and video off. This will ensure that you aren’t broadcasting until you are ready.
  • Be sure to never post the link, password, meeting number openly.
  • Physically close the camera (if it has a lens cover) or block it with a sticker when not in use.
  • Use blurred backgrounds or generic backgrounds to prevent information/people in the background from being accidentally recorded.
  • Be very cautious about discussing personal information like health or financial information.
  • Create a new or temporary email address and use false information to register your account.

Security

  • Undetected malware on your device may leave your videoconference contents easily viewable.
  • Make sure you download the video conferencing software from the manufacturer or verified app/game store. Often hackers will post links to similar sounding products or websites with similar spelling.
  • Ensure that the antivirus software on your device is installed and up to date.
  • Disable the recording function in the software.
  • Check to make sure the software you are using is ‘end-to-end’ encrypted.
  • Utilize password and account management best practices: use strong passwords, never repeat them on more than one account, use a password manager to store your passwords, and change them regularly

Resources for Seniors and Long-Term Care Staff

The Guide to Managing Privacy During Virtual Family Visits – Toolkit for Staff and NPOs

As the world continues to adapt to the demands of our new reality, in this era of COVID-19 and social distancing, many residents in long-term care homes have turned to…

View Resource

Zoom Introduction: how to use it safely and privately

A helpful introduction on the advantages and disadvantages of Zoom, how to use, and privacy information. why Zoom? A big part of Zoom’s appeal is simplicity. It’s easy to get…

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WhatsApp Introduction: how to use it safely and privately

A helpful introduction on the advantages and disadvantages of WhatsApp, how to use, and privacy information. why WhatsApp? What makes this app appealing is that it works on various phone…

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Facetime Introduction: how to use it safely and privately

A helpful introduction on the advantages and disadvantages of Facetime, how to use, and privacy information. Why Facetime? Apple’s FaceTime app works on Wi-Fi, so one major benefit it has…

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Google Duo Introduction: how to use it safely and privately

A helpful introduction on the advantages and disadvantages of Google Duo, how to use, and privacy information. why Google Duo? Google Duo is unlike other video calling services in that…

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Skype Introduction: how to use it safely and privately

A helpful introduction on the advantages and disadvantages of Skype, how to use, and privacy information. why Skype? Whether you’re working from home or looking for a way to chat…

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Video Chat Safety Tips: how to use video conferencing safely and privately

From our KnowledgeConnect program this sheet highlights how to have video chats safely and privately.

View Resource

Share your opinion

KnowledgeConnect – Family and Friends of Seniors Survey

1. This survey is intended to be completed by individuals who had a family member or friend who was of senior age and living independently during the pandemic closures and restrictions. If this does not apply to you please return to the main page and complete the survey(s) that apply to your situation during the pandemic. Thank you.(Required)
2. Do you feel that your senior family/friend had sufficient contact with family and friends during the pandemic restrictions?
3. BEFORE the pandemic restrictions, did your senior family/friend have access to an internet-connected device (computer/laptop, tablet, Ipad, cellular phone)?
4. DURING the pandemic restrictions, did your senior family/friend have access to an internet-connected device (computer/laptop, tablet, Ipad, cellular phone)?
5. Which of the following do you think were barriers to your senior family/friend's access to an internet-connected device (computer/laptop, tablet, Ipad, cellular phone)?
6. If you had a virtual visit with your senior family/friend during the pandemic (ie. a video call where you could both see and hear each other), which programs or platforms did you use?
7. Which of the following devices did you and your family/friend utilize for virtual visits?
8. Was the device YOU used to connect virtually with your family/friend:
9. Was the device YOUR SENIOR FAMILY/FRIEND used to connect virtually with you:
10. Which of the following, if any, frustrations did you experience related to technology when connecting virtually with your family/friend?
11. Which of the following, if any, general frustrations did you experience when connecting virtually with your family/friend?
12. Which of the following would you say are some of the challenges for your senior family/friend with conducting virtual visits?
13. Was your own comfort with the technology (either your device or the software used) a factor in the success of connecting virtually with your senior family/friend?
14. Was your senior family/friend's comfort with the technology (either their device or the software used) a factor in the success of connecting virtually with them?
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

KnowledgeConnect – LTC Facility Staff Survey

1. This survey is intended to be completed by LTC staff who worked during the pandemic closures and restrictions. If this does not apply to you please return to the main page and complete the survey(s) that apply to your situation during the pandemic. Thank you(Required)
2. Overall, how would you describe the level of impact to the residents' mental and emotional well-being caused by the pandemic-related restrictions?
3. BEFORE the pandemic, did the residents in your LTC facility have access to, and/or assistance with, a laptop, tablet, Ipad, or regular computer?
4. DURING the pandemic restrictions, did the residents in your LTC facility regularly have access to, and/or assistance with, a laptop, tablet, Ipad, or regular computer?
5. Do you feel that the residents in your LTC facility had sufficient contact with family and friends during the pandemic restrictions?
6. Which of the following do you think were the barriers to increasing the residents' access to, and/or assistance with, a laptop, tablet, Ipad, or regular computer?
7. When assisting residents to connect with family and friends virtually, which of the following programs or platforms did your LTC facility utilize?
8. When assisting residents to connect with family and friends virtually, which of the following devices did your LTC facility utilize?
9. Were some of the devices used:
10. Which of the following, if any, frustrations did staff experience when assisting residents to connect virtually with family and friends?
11. Which of the following, if any, frustrations did residents express when connecting virtually with family and friends?
12. Which of the following, if any, frustrations did the family and friends express when connecting virtually with the residents at your LTC facility?
13. Which of the following would you say are the biggest resident challenges with conducting virtual visits in a LTC facility environment?
15. Were staff provided with technical training on the platforms to be used to conduct virtual visits?
16. Were staff provided with training on online privacy or protecting personal information online before assisting residents with virtual visits?
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

KnowledgeConnect – LTC Resident Family and Friend Survey

1. This survey is intended to be completed by individuals who had a family member or friend living in a LTC facility during the pandemic closures and restrictions. If this does not apply to you please return to the main page and complete the survey(s) that apply to your situation during the pandemic. Thank you(Required)
2. Overall, how would you describe the level of impact to your mental and emotional well-being caused by the pandemic-related restrictions at the LTC facility?
3. BEFORE the pandemic, did your family/friend living in the LTC facility have access to, and/or assistance with, an internet-connected device (computer/laptop, tablet, Ipad, or cellular phone)?
4. DURING the pandemic restrictions, did your family/friend living in the LTC facility regularly have access to, and/or assistance, with an internet-connected device (computer/laptop, tablet, Ipad, or cellular phone)?
5. Do you feel that your family/friend living in the LTC facility had sufficient contact with family and friends during the pandemic restrictions?
6. BEFORE the pandemic restrictions, did your family/friend's LTC facility staff assist them to have virtual visits with you?
7. DURING the pandemic restrictions, did your family/friend's LTC facility staff assist them to have virtual visits with you?
8. DURING the pandemic, which of the following do you think were barriers to increasing your family/friend's access to, and/or assistance with, an internet-connected device to conduct virtual visits?
9. Which of the following programs or platforms did the LTC facility utilize for virtual vists with your family/friend?
10. Which of the following devices did your LTC facility utilize for virtual visits with your family/friend?
11. Were some of the devices used:
12. Which of the following, if any, frustrations did you experience related to technology when connecting virtually with your family/friend living in the LTC facility?
13. Which of the following, if any, general frustrations did you experience when connecting virtually with your family/friend living at the LTC facility?
14. Which of the following would you say are the biggest challenges for your family/friend living in the LTC facility with conducting virtual visits?
16. Were the LTC facility staff able to assist you with any technical issues that occurred during the virtual visits?
17. Was your own comfort with the technology (either your device or the software used) a factor in the success of connecting virtually with your family/friend living in the LTC facility?
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

KnowledgeConnect – Seniors Living Independently Survey

1. This survey is intended to be completed by individuals who were of senior age and living independently during the pandemic closures and restrictions. If this does not apply to you please return to the main page and complete the survey(s) that apply to your situation during the pandemic. Thank you.(Required)
2. BEFORE the pandemic, did you have access to an internet-connected device (laptop/computer, tablet, Ipad, cellular phone)?
3. DURING the pandemic restrictions, did you have access to an internet-connected device (laptop/computer, tablet, Ipad, cellular phone)?
4. Which of the following were barriers to your access to an internet-connected device (laptop, tablet, Ipad, cel phone or regular computer)?
5. Do you feel that you had sufficient contact with family and friends during the pandemic restrictions?
6. Which, if any, of the following devices do you use regularly?
7. How would you rate your comfort level with using the internet for online banking, online shopping, online research, etc.?
8. On average, during the pandemic how often did you use the regular telephone (land line phone) for verbal conversation?
9. On average, during the pandemic how often did you use a cellular phone for verbal conversation?
10. On average, during the pandemic how often did you use a computer/laptop/tablet/cellular phone for email or text conversation?
11. On average, during the pandemic how often did you use a computer/laptop/tablet/cellular phone for virtual conversations? (ie. a video call or videoconference where you could both see and hear the other individual)
12. If you connected virtually with your family/friends during the pandemic, which programs or platforms did you use?
13. When selecting a platform or program to use for virtual visits, which of the following did you consider?
14. Have you ever read the Privacy Policy of the platform or program you used for virtual visits?
15. Which of the following devices did you use to connect virtually with family/friends?
16. Was the device you used to connect virtually with your family/friends:
17. Which of the following, if any, frustrations did you experience related to technology when connecting virtually with your family/friends?
18. Which of the following, if any, general frustrations did you experience when connecting virtually with your family/friends?
19. What would you say are the biggest challenges for you as a senior with connecting virtually with family/friends?
20. Was your comfort with the technology (either your device or the software used) a factor in the success of connecting virtually with your family/friends?
21. When you required assistance with your device or software, which of the following did you utilize?
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

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