COVID-19 resulted in a sudden increase in demand for internet connectivity in seniors housing — catching some operators flat-footed. By Jeff Shaw The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on seniors housing were sudden and dramatic. We’ll likely continue to feel them for years to come. As communities closed themselves off from the outside world to protect residents, a new challenge emerged: How do we keep our residents healthy and safe without isolating them from friends, family and entertainment? The answer came in part from the web, as operators looked to …
Technology
Industry leader Brenda Bacon, CEO of Brandywine Living and former Argentum Board Chair, offers expert insight into the industry-wide response to the COVID-19 health crisis and how senior living can apply those lessons going forward. Listen to Episode One of the Seniors Housing Business series Executive Insights to learn how Bacon and her team are protecting and promoting resident health, acting as educators and advocating for assisted living industry as a whole. Executive Insights is an exclusive interview series in which Seniors Housing Business interviews top thought leaders in assisted living. See …
Bonus Content: Active Adult — How to Define It and Where is the Industry’s Hottest Segment Trending?
On June 30th, Seniors Housing Business hosted a webinar, “Active Adult — How to Define It and Where is the Industry’s Hottest Segment Trending?” with our panel of experts. Because the panelists were unable to answer all the questions asked during the Q&A portion of the webinar due to time constraints, below are answers to some of the audience questions from experts Michael Uccellini, The United Group; Margaret Wylde, ProMatura; Mitch Brown, Greystar; and Robert May, Avenida Partners. If you missed last week’s Seniors Housing Business webinar or would like to listen …
On June 30, Seniors Housing Business hosted a panel discussion called “Active Adult — How to Define It and Where is the Industry’s Hottest Segment Trending?” Experts from the seniors housing industry joined to talk about what makes active adult/55+ market a large and quickly growing segment. Click to watch to this engaging webinar. “Adult children are big influencers in the decision to move to active adult living. Also, seniors are looking to sell their home and take that equity and travel. They are looking to rightsize, not necessarily downsizing,” points …
SHEBOYGAN, Wis., and MINNETONKA, Minn. — PalCare and Notify Nurse Call have formed a strategic partnership that will provide senior living communities with emergency alert systems, nurse call mobile applications and management dashboards. Sheboygan-based PalCare has partnered with over 1,600 communities across North America to implement technological solutions for resident safety and caregiver efficiency. Services include nurse call, access control and wander management. Minnetonka-based Notify is a mobile nurse call system that allows caregivers to receive and respond to alerts from wherever they are in the building.
Technology can help combat isolation in senior living. By Fahad Aziz, Caremerge People of all ages are struggling to socialize and keep in touch with loved ones during COVID-19 lockdowns. For older Americans, social isolation can be especially dangerous: loneliness is linked with higher rates of heart disease, stroke, dementia, depression and anxiety. The good news is that digital platforms can help stave off the negative impacts of social isolation. As the world turns to technology to stay connected, senior living communities should follow suit. We must keep residents happy, …
Technology Can Protect Residents, Provide Programming During Pandemic, Say SHB Webinar Panelists
by Jeff Shaw
With the COVID-19 outbreak forcing seniors housing residents to physically isolate from each other, technology may be the key to preventing both further virus spread and social isolation. “Senior living communities have for decades used a platform of pull cords, call buttons and pendants,” said David Wardlaw, vice president of business development for digital health solutions at Philips. “This technology cannot support more infection control requirements. It is not equipped to slow down the spread of COVID-19.” New technology to better stop the spread of coronavirus includes wearable bracelets that …
DENVER — Although new resident leads dropped significantly in April due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of new leads spiked in May, according to customer relationship management software company Enquire Solutions. The Denver-based company compiled sales and marketing data from over 2,200 seniors housing communities throughout the country. While May 2020 still saw fewer inquiries compared to the same month in 2019, it was a 22 percent increase compared with April 2020. Move-ins also increased by 10 percent from April to May. In addition, move-outs in May 2020 were …
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Webinar: Safeguarding Residents and Caregivers During COVID-19
Seniors Housing Business hosted a panel discussion on June 3 entitled “Safeguarding Residents and Caregivers During COVID-19: Technologies that Prevent Infectious Disease Spread” where expert panelists addressed the importance of technology and creativity in keeping residents safe and connected, both during the pandemic and as nationwide shutdowns are ending. A high-touch industry like seniors housing requires a high-tech approach to ensure residents are healthy and feel part of their community. How can those in the industry elevate services, drive down costs and adapt in the face of new data? Learn …
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — myFamilyChannel, a technology company focused on seniors, has named Tim Wesley as its new president. Wesley has 30 years of experience as an executive in healthcare and senior living companies such as Humana, Vencor, Atria and Elmcroft Senior Living. The company, based in Louisville, provides a senior-friendly communications platform that allows families, residents and staff to communicate through smart phones and television screens. Additionally, it provides a pathway for telehealth and communication by physicians, hospitals and other senior-focused companies. Wesley, who served as a consultant to the …