Superintendent Karl Germann sits next to the iPads that are being donated to the Palliative Care Society (photo courtesy of Grande Prairie and District Catholic Schools)

By Liam Verster

Staying Connected

Grande Prairie and District Catholic Schools donate iPads to Palliative Care Society

Apr 7, 2020 | 2:21 PM

The patients of the Grande Prairie Palliative Care Society will benefit from a donation of 30 iPads from the Grande Prairie and District Catholic Schools.

Visitors are not currently allowed in hospitals, care homes, or hospices due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as the patients are more at risk of the virus, and Superintendent of Schools, Karl Germann says this donation of iPads will allow the patients at the Palliative Care Society to be able to make video calls, and connect with their families.

“It’s just a great way to stay in touch with one another, because right now, relationships are larger than ever, and they’re more important than ever, and a family can stay in touch with their loved ones in care homes. It’s not quite like being there, but it’s close enough that people will be able to be around each other and chat and check on them.”

Germann says they have lots of computers, laptops and iPads in their schools. He says making this donation seemed like a good use of the technologies they have on hand, that were otherwise going unused due to the closure of classes.

“I can’t emphasize enough how important that is for families to stay connected to loved ones that are quite sick and ill, and in palliative care. And it’s just a super way to make sure that they get the love and the care and attention they need. Basically following what Mother Teresa would tell us to do, make sure you take care of those who need it the most right now.”

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He says all the iPads, chargers and cables were thoroughly cleaned and sterilized before being donated on Monday, adding that the staff at the Palliative Care Society would also be cleaning everything before handing them out to patients.

Germann goes on to say that he, personally, had just had a family member in hospice, and understands the need for that connection.

“We couldn’t always be there, but we certainly could keep in touch, and then we could get in touch with the medical staff if she needed something specifically that they weren’t necessarily aware of.”

He says it was also much more meaningful to have that face-to-face connection through a video call, rather than just a phone call.

Germann adds that, because of his personal experience, he knew exactly what sort of equipment was needed when the time came to make this donation.

“We know what size of iPad they need, we know what protection they need on the iPad. We know what stands they need, because most people who are in palliative can’t hold a computer or even hold an iPad in front of them. But if it’s a large one that has the new technology for the screen, and it has a stand, then they’re able to touch it, and they’re able to communicate to somebody with relative ease.”

Hope McNally, the Program Director for the Grande Prairie Palliative Care Society, says they didn’t expect to receive so many tablets.

“We thought we would’ve done good if we got ten, we are absolutely thrilled and the more we get, the more people we can help,”

The iPads will go to the person who needs it most, mainly if they’re sick or dying.

Germann adds this donation is a great way to help lift the spirits of those in need and feeling isolated, and that he’s very happy to be able to provide the people in palliative care with a way to stay connected with their families during the COVID-19 pandemic.