Announcing the Hey Google, Keep In Touch Program
The Canadian Mental Health Association of Alberta Southeast Region (CMHA ASER) launched a new initiative to provide social connection for citizens of the Province’s Southeast region living in long-term care facilities. Dubbed ‘Hey Google, Keep In Touch’, the program is set to officially kick off this Thursday, April 22, 2021 at St. Joseph’s Home in Medicine Hat. Thanks to support from Methanex Corporation, CMHA ASER has purchased five Google Assistants for placement in St. Joseph’s palliative care unit, providing residents with a friendly voice and connection to family and friends.
An extension of the Keep In Touch program that CMHA ASER established in response to restrictions implemented for Covid-19, Hey Google, Keep In Touch aims to provide comfort for some of the most vulnerable members of our community by ensuring they have contact with loved ones, while also maintaining their safety.
Executive Director, Sandra Milne, joined CMHA ASER in January of 2021. “One of the biggest effects COVID has had on our residents is loneliness due to isolation,” Milne noted, having learned about the organization’s programming in the face of a global pandemic, “The interesting thing is that no matter how balanced you think your mental health is, you are still susceptible to loneliness from isolation.” This in mind, Milne approached representatives with Methanex and St. Joseph’s to collaborate on a solution.
That solution came in the form of a donation to purchase five Google Nest Hub Max Assistants. “Loneliness and being separated from loved ones are two experiences that have been universal during the pandemic,” said Jody Magill, Methanex Corporation’s Stakeholder Relations manager. “This campaign’s simple proposal to connect people resonated with us, and we hope our support of Hey Google, Keep In Touch will lift the spirits of individuals in our community. We join the CMHA Southeast Region in challenging others to contribute.”
CMHA ASER hopes to be able to distribute up to 120 of these units to long-term care facilities throughout the region in order to connect residents to their families and friends. They invite other businesses and residents to participate by purchasing a Google Nest Hub Max or donating the equivalent value ($300) in order to advance the program. Charitable tax receipts will be provided. Anyone interested in getting involved is encouraged to contact for more details.