CLEVELAND — Elizabeth Sims and her caregiver admit that since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, things haven’t been the same at The Heights Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center in Broadview Heights. Pandemic restrictions have cut out communal dining, team exercise and group therapy at facility. 

“Before, we used to be able to be down in the therapy gym. So, it would be fun because they're all around people; you could play games and now, you're really stuck in the rooms with the patients,” Sims says.

Things have taken a turn for the better at the facility. Residents started connecting virtually through Restore Skills, a computer based motivational therapy platform with a multiplayer function that now allows patients the ability to play skill-building games with one another.

“At least they can interact and you're using technology and they can still get involved and do some kind of fun…and it helps her cognitive skills.”  Tina Wilson’s caregiver says.

Eran Arden is the CEO of Restore Sills, they recently added the video conferencing tool to the platform with senior citizens in mind and sign ups for the service have tripled over the past 8 months . 

“The feedback we receive from our partners and facilities is what gives us the ideas and the energy to develop more and more games.”  Arden says.

He credits not only the game developers for the success, he says credit belongs to the nurses , and support staff who help the seniors stay engaged. 

“The heroes that are working daily is the most important, i think they are  most valuable ingredient in the platform.” He says.

“’It’s nice to be able to give them some kind of a game. something they don't realize that they're actually working their body, because they're having fun.” Elizabeth Sims caregiver says.