Technology is Front and Center in Senior Living

Prior to COVID, we witnessed Senior Living providers gradually adopting technologies for resident wellness initiatives. However, they were just scratching the surface. It was the pandemic that brought the latest emerging technologies to the front and center in Senior Living and accelerated their uses.

A recent survey conducted by Senior Housing News in partnership with global health technology firm Philips, finds that out of 250 respondents, 80 percent reported an increase in tech spending in 2020 to help address the COVID-19 pandemic. Looking ahead to 2021, 87 percent said they expect their organizations to increase their technology budgets spending more on items that have proved essential for the quality of resident care and business survival including:

-Telehealth

Telehealth technology is widely being used by senior care providers to significantly improve the quality of care being offered to residents. Telehealth allows a healthcare provider to screen patients in real-time and from any location. This technology can identify those with symptoms of COVID-19, provide low-risk urgent care for those who don’t show symptoms, and identify those who may need additional assessments. In addition, calltoehealth has proved to be a great support to caregivers such as on-site healthcare professionals.

-Smart Home Technologies

Senior Living communities are recognizing the value and quality of care offered by smart home technologies. Smart home automation can provide residents with access to a number of easy-to-use devices including voice-activated personal assistants such as Amazon’s Alexa and Google Home, smart lights that add security and convenience, smart door locks for safety, and temperature controls for comfort.

-Resident Monitoring

Latest resident monitoring technologies include low-level cameras and sensors that track movement and can detect if a resident has fallen. In addition, call-in systems that a resident can use to check-in with staff each day have proved beneficial, and wearable tech devices such as wrist monitors for use in emergency situations are popular.

–Video Communications

Video conferencing solutions such as FaceTime and Zoom have proved invaluable. Senior Living has embraced this technology mainly for virtual meetings and chats. Dennis D., an Interim Nursing Home Administrator with MedBest said he’s been using these platforms to communicate with families twice per week in order to provide updates on their loved ones and updates on new procedures and policies for their building. In addition, video calls between residents and their loved ones have reduced resident isolation and loneliness.

-Video Interviewing

When it comes to recruiting talent, the best way for hiring managers to interview candidates safely and quickly has been through the video interview. Using video has been especially effective for an initial candidate meet and greet, when trying to screen and pare down the first round of job candidates, and when hiring an interim quickly.

-Virtual Tours

Due to COVID, live tours of senior living communities are on hold. In the meantime, sales and marketing teams have turned to virtual tours for prospective residents and their families.  Some providers have opted for the prerecorded tour; however, according to Senior Housing News, a good virtual tour is also interactive. Prerecorded walkthroughs of communities should be used as a supplement. Live interaction with residents or family members who can ask questions and get answers in real-time creates a true connection.

Through the adoption of emerging technologies, Senior Living companies and communities are able to provide a better quality of life for residents and an efficient workplace for staff.

ABOUT JULIE RUPENSKI

Julie Rupenski is the Founder, President & CEO of MedBest, opening the doors in 2001. Since then, Julie has gained national recognition for providing top talent solutions exclusively for the Senior Living Industry. Her specialties include filling C-Suite, Vice President, Regional, and Property level positions.

Julie has an in-depth knowledge of the Senior Living Industry.  She previously worked in operations for both Senior Housing and Senior Living prior to founding MedBest. Today, Julie makes it her personal and professional mission to place qualified people in health care positions where they have the greatest impact.

Julie earned her degree in Gerontology at the University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida and continues to cultivate her career through senior living conferences, forums, trade shows, and expos.

(Julie’s industry articles and interviews have been published in Provider Magazine, Argentum Quarterly, LeadingAge Magazine, Florida Health Care Association, Florida Assisted Living Association, Florida Senior Living Association, LeadingAge Florida, LeadingAge Indiana, Pennsylvania Health Care Association, Oregon Health Care Association, and Virginia Assisted Living Association.)

Contact Julie Rupenski at jrupenski@www.medbest.com / 727-526-1294.

ABOUT MEDBEST

MedBest is an award-winning national Executive Search Firm exclusive to the Senior Living Industry established in 2001.  We recruit and acquire exceptional senior care talent, permanent and interim executives, for the full continuum of LTC facilities across the US including Assisted Living, Continuing Care Retirement Communities, Independent Living, Memory Care, Skilled Nursing Facilities, and Home Health Care.

Contact us at 727-526-1294 / info@www.medbest.com