Technology Keeps Baltimore in Touch with Seniors Through Hurricanes, Pandemic

According to the Baltimore Sun , city health officials are using a new computer system created by volunteer programmers to keep in touch with senior living communities during crises like hurricanes and the current pandemic. The Code for Baltimore volunteer group worked with government technology development firm Bellese Technologies to develop the system, which automatically emails communities to assess needs and supply information, with capability for texts soon to be added to its repertoire. In its initial weeks, the system has been used to survey senior communities about specific needs related to the pandemic, via e-mail; health department personnel can respond directly to queries or refer them to outside resources. Communities' responses also have alerted officials to residents' loneliness or boredom during quarantine, prompting them to link seniors with electronic devices virtually to outside groups.