Facelook - helping people who live alone to keep in touch.

Facelook (TM) is a simple app that complements the tele-health services provided by a GP health project to tackle social isolation. We know that living alone can lead to social isolation and this in turn may develop into real physical and mental disease. If we could have friends, family members or carers popping round frequently then this would be a really positive step but this is becoming increasingly difficult. This is because of the numbers of old people living alone is increasing and their families are becoming more diverse.

Facelook is a service that provides a set top box for the patient's TV equipped with a webcam and free broadband (for the trial period). The set top box allows carers, family members and friends to stay in touch with the patient through Skype video calling. The Facelook app provides a quick and easy method for family members to make that call. The Facelook icon on the smartphone home page is a subtle reminder to the family member to make the call they've been putting off for some time. Tapping on the icon will allow them to quickly make that call by initiating the Skype app and making the call.

If the Skype app isn't installed on the device, the Facelook app will automatically direct the user to the app store download page for Skype.

The user will initially need to configure Facelook with the elderly patient's Skype ID, name and optional photo. Once configured, the app is set up and regular communication between patient and family member can be established.

Note: There is a known limitation with the interaction with the Skype client. Skype for iOS has an issue that prevents an automatic video call being established. To use Facelook, make an audio call and then tap the video camera icon once the call is established to switch to video mode.