In the wake of the Great Recession, care managers have many issues to contend with as they strive to cater to an ever-expanding older adult population. Between attracting new clientele in an increasingly competitive marketplace and navigating a minefield of budget cuts and staff shortages, the challenges of this rewarding but undoubtedly overwhelming line of work continue to stack up.
Recently, the industry media outlet Senior Housing News touched on a shift in consumer behavior that is affecting eldercare in myriad ways: "Someday Syndrome."
"Senior living providers are seeking ways to counteract the double-edged sword of revenue loss that happens when seniors put off a move into a community—upping the average incoming age of residents while decreasing the average length of stay," the source states.
The average age of older adults when they seek eldercare services has risen to from 78 to 85 years old since 2010, figures from LeadingAge indicate. This delay could be influenced by financial difficulties and widespread misconceptions about residential communities and senior care providers in general. Care managers also must work harder to win over prospective clients who visit their communities, with industry experts estimating that it now takes 45 touches to obtain a commitment.
Establish a relationship now with at-home eldercare services
With Independa as an anchor technology, Senior Living Providers can now offer Independa's telecare solution to customers who are not quite ready to make the decision to move to a residential eldercare community. Why let 44 prospective clients slip away when you can offer a service that can meet them halfway? Our Angela interface, with capabilities such as remote monitoring, and the continual connectivity offered by Facebook, email and video chat, can provide the peace of mind for older adults who wish to age in place. It can also provide much needed caregiver support for family members tending to elderly relatives. In addition, it introduces these individuals to your community and its benefits should they transition to your residence later on.
Attract new clientele by boosting satisfaction in your community
Another important point highlighted by this article was the satisfaction of current residents as a marketing tool. As a care manager, the quality of life your residents enjoy is of course of the utmost importance, but it may also be a big decider for interested parties who are in the process of transitioning to an older adult residence. As such, one of the most effective ways to combat low occupancy is to provide the best possible service for the older adults already in your care. Independa's resident-facing telecare solutions have been expressly devised to improve the day-to-day lives of older adults through increased social engagement and independence.
Contact us today through our online form to learn more about Independa's eldercare solutions.
