Man Gives Out iPads to Elderly Patients

John Lynch, a man from New Jersey, donated iPads to help elderly patients connect with their families. Lynch’s father, who was suffering from dementia, passed away in April while admitted to a memory care facility. Strict social distancing measures amid the coronavirus crisis hindered Lynch from visiting his father. Because of this, he was able to say his last farewell only through a video call. After finding out that some nurses were lending their smartphones to patients to help them keep in touch with their families during the health crisis, Lynch initiated a donation drive for iPads. Through "Operation Connection: The iPad Project," Lynch has collected more than 60 iPads. The beneficiaries of the project were Cape May County Medical Center, nursing homes, and other hospitals in the United States. Lynch and his team are currently accepting cash and new or secondhand iPads as donations. In an interview, Lynch said that he wants to help more families in memory of his father. He said that he and his father often used the video chat app FaceTime, so he knows how important it is for patients to stay connected with loved ones. He added that it was his father who inspired him to be charitable. A representative from the Cape Regional Health System in New Jersey believes that Lynch’s initiative has been very helpful. He shared that around 40 patients are able to connect with their families each day using the iPads.