The senior living landscape is diverse, with each community having its unique blend of people, processes, and challenges. As operators strive to create the best possible environment for residents and families, senior living technology has become a crucial tool. However, the way we approach technology adoption can make a significant difference in achieving our goals.
The Reactive Trap: Point Solutions and the Pandemic
It’s easy to fall into a reactive pattern when facing operational hurdles. Low staff numbers or resident engagement issues often lead to seeking quick fixes. Point solutions – technology designed for a single, specific need – can seem like the answer. The pandemic highlighted this tendency, with a 60% surge in resident engagement tech adoption as communities sought ways to maintain quality of life during lockdowns.
While point solutions can be lifesavers in a crisis, they don’t always provide a sustainable foundation for the long term. As the industry becomes more tech-savvy, it’s time to shift from reactive to proactive technology strategies.
Proactive Tech: A Holistic Approach to Community Well-being
A proactive approach means viewing technology as a way to improve the overall well-being of residents, families, and staff. It involves choosing integrated solutions that address multiple areas of community operations, not just isolated pain points. In this two-part series, we’ll explore the benefits of technology consolidation, both for individual communities and for larger, multi-site operators.
Consolidating Tech for Standalone Communities
How can a comprehensive technology platform transform the daily operations and resource management of a single senior living community?
- Optimize Resources: Senior living staff are often juggling numerous tasks, each with multiple steps. Imagine a single platform that streamlines everything from activity planning and communication to family engagement. This not only saves time but also reduces the mental load of switching between different applications. A Cornell University study found that task-switching can cost up to 4.5 hours of staff time per week in a small community!
- Promote Family Connection: Maintaining strong family connections is vital for residents’ happiness. A consolidated platform with features like shared calendars, messaging, and activity updates offers a 360-degree view of the resident’s life, encouraging deeper family involvement.
Informed Decision-Making: One platform means one unified data source. Instead of piecing together information from various systems, operators have a central dashboard with actionable insights. This leads to better decision-making and a clearer picture of community performance.
Optimize Resources with Automated Communication
Each department within a senior living community has a wide array of responsibilities. Increasing communication via automation can strengthen a sense of community by ensuring in-person interactions are meaningful.
Activities:
- Personalized Invitations: Easily create and send invitations to residents for upcoming events, tailoring them based on individual interests and preferences.
- RSVP Management: Automate the collection of RSVPs, allowing you to easily track attendance and plan accordingly.
- Reminders: Automatically send reminders to residents before events, ensuring higher participation and reducing no-shows.
- Photo Sharing: Share photos and videos of events with residents and families, fostering engagement and creating a sense of community.
- Feedback Collection: Gather feedback from residents after events to continually improve programming and tailor activities to their interests.
Social Work:
- Discreet Check-Ins: Send private messages to residents or family members to check in on their well-being, offer support, or simply stay connected.
- Care Plan Updates: Share timely updates on care plans with family members, ensuring everyone is informed and involved in the resident’s care journey.
- Virtual Counseling: Facilitate secure and confidential virtual counseling sessions for residents who may need additional emotional or psychological support.
- Resource Sharing: Easily distribute relevant resources and information to residents and families, such as articles on mental health, coping strategies, or community support groups.
Food Services:
- Dietary Preference Management: Collect residents’ dietary preferences, allergies, and restrictions, ensuring safe and personalized meal options.
- Menu Announcements: Easily communicate menu changes, daily specials, or upcoming themed meals to residents and families, generating excitement and anticipation.
- Feedback Collection: Gather feedback on meals through surveys or direct messaging, allowing you to continuously improve the dining experience and cater to resident preferences.
- Special Occasion Celebrations: Send out personalized messages to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, or other special milestones, creating a more welcoming and caring environment.
