According to a recent article in Senior Housing News, many care facilities are experiencing a push from residents to increase the presence and capabilities of internet-based technologies. Laurie Orlov, founder of Aging In Place Technology Watch and a technology industry analyst, spoke with the source about the demand for wifi and more internet-focused programming taking place at facilities across the country.
"We are entering a world of greater, not lesser, complexity and a greater variety of technology. The question is: What are we all going to do to get seniors connected?" Orlov asked the source.
According to a survey conducted by Healthsense and Senior Housing News of 670 older adult living professionals in 2013, only 40 percent of respondents reported that their organization has a dedicated information officer responsible for the implementation and upkeep of new technology.
Orlov argued that without the proper support, the success of technology initiatives is compromised. In order to foster an environment that promotes engagement with senior living technology, Orlov told the source that the entire housing community must come together to push for the necessary changes.
For those organizations seeking to build new facilities, acquiring support from a technology partner early in the construction process can ensure that the technology needs of residents are met.
Amanda Clardy, chief marketing and product officer at Independa, explained how the partnership can benefit both parties and ultimately provide better care for residents during a recent webinar exploring the subject.
"If you understand exactly what you want to achieve with your community, they can help refine their program or platform for you," Clardy said during the online event.
Instead of playing catch-up and trying to adapt existing facilities to the technology older adults need, organizations can increase their attractiveness to prospective residents by integrating cloud-based senior living technology into the design in the preconstruction stage.
With innovative and intuitive solutions like Independa, doing so can also be cost-effective. The Caregiver Web App and Angela interface, our caregiver support system, have been designed to operate through LG televisions and can easily be outfitted in any independent or assisted living space.
Independa's innovative solution provides holistic, supported care either at home or at senior living community and it capitalizes on the technology that the majority of users are most familiar with, the television. Independa offers a turnkey solution to senior living providers, which they can use to increase occupancy, lower staff costs and improve resident and family satisfaction.
