After seniors housing occupancy experienced a dramatic slump during the pandemic lockdowns and a plodding recovery afterwards, demand for senior living is now as strong as ever. However, financial pressures such as rising labor, healthcare and insurance costs continue to plague the industry, and experts don’t expect much relief from these factors in the near future.
Against that backdrop, seniors housing owners and operators are seeking innovative ways to balance their budgets via new revenue sources without compromising the resident experience. One solution that can satisfy those criteria incorporates a technology that is so widely used that it is often overlooked: resident and common area TVs.
“TV is one of the most-used amenities in senior living, with residents watching an average of four hours per day,” says Peter Feeney, vice president of DISH Business. “But it’s more than entertainment. Seniors depend on TV to keep them connected to the world, making it a source of familiarity and comfort.”
Built for Seniors
Hospitality-inspired approaches are gaining traction in the seniors housing world, and it makes sense that TV would be part of this shift. Trusted by over 2 million hotel rooms nationwide, DISH Business has now partnered with senior living experts to deliver a tailored entertainment solution built for today’s residents. “Just as hotels require seamless, user-friendly entertainment solutions, senior living communities need technology that enhances resident satisfaction while remaining simple to manage,” Feeney explains.
By integrating these technologies into their amenity offerings, seniors housing operators can provide TV systems and packages that are customized to the needs and tech abilities of their residents. Not only does that free residents from the responsibility and hassle of managing their own TV subscriptions, he says, but it also gives operators an opportunity to generate additional revenue by bundling charges into fees or rent without increasing a resident’s out-of-pocket costs. Plus, more efficient, commercial-grade technology, such as the SMARTBOX2, can reduce power consumption over earlier equipment.
“We designed OnStream for senior living with the needs of residents in mind, focusing on simplicity, accessibility and affordability. Partnering with industry experts, we built in features that matter most: 40 percent larger on-screen text for easier viewing and enjoyment, an interactive guide with clear channel numbers and familiar logos and programming tailored to senior preferences,” says Feeney. “The response has been overwhelmingly positive from both residents and operators, who appreciate the balance of high-quality entertainment and intuitive design.”
Seniors can find the content they are looking for without the frustration that comes with using outdated or overly advanced systems. This also frees up valuable staff time. With the right technology and features like on-screen reminders, staff spend less time troubleshooting or going from room to room adjusting TVs. They can focus on critical caring tasks while residents can feel empowered to find and select their own entertainment with minimal assistance.
The next generation of seniors entering communities is more tech savvy than ever — many have grown accustomed to smartphones, streaming services and smart devices, so they expect the same convenience and technology in their senior living environments,” Feeney observes. “For these residents, traditional linear TV is still important, but streaming and casting capabilities are quickly becoming essential.”
According to consumer research from Leichtman Research Group, 88 percent of Americans subscribe to at least one streaming service. With OnStream, seniors and visiting families can enjoy streaming from the latest apps and casting from their personal devices without switching inputs.
Community Centric
Loneliness and boredom are important concerns among seniors. The ability to maintain their routines and entertain themselves is essential to their well-being as they transition into senior living facilities. TV can play a large role in keeping residents happy and connected.
Indeed, going beyond the traditional TV experience, these entertainment technologies enable seniors housing operators to integrate community-specific channels and content into the TV channel lineup. Other benefits include allowing residents to stream live events happening in the community. This allows seniors with mobility or other health issues to feel they are part of events without leaving their rooms.
With these systems, seniors can review mealtimes, community reminders, and health information, including wellness tips. Residents can stay abreast of meetings, schedule changes and activities, Feeney adds. Community events such as movie nights, game nights or group fitness classes, can display on the resident’s TV and encourage interactions, friendships and a sense of autonomy.
What’s more, owners and operators can customize their home screens to showcase menus, mealtimes, group events and community-specific notifications. Different TVs may be set to have different capabilities, including streaming and more advanced options in common areas. This practice may also foster community if residents are encouraged to gather in shared spaces for televised or streaming events.
Seniors housing operators can generate further revenue by making advertising space available to local businesses on community-dedicated channels. Those may include promotional discounts and events that provide residents with engagement opportunities beyond the walls of the seniors housing community, Feeney says.
While specifically designed for residents and the TVs they bring from home, the simplicity of a bulk TV solution, like OnStream, can assist in streamlining daily operations, Feeney explains. A single system makes it easier for staff to help residents troubleshoot problems, for example, which improves efficiency and allows team members to focus on other matters.
“We developed our platform for seniors housing to enhance revenues and preserve margins in an industry that’s facing rising costs and labor challenges,” Feeney says. “Just as important, the entertainment solution delivers a user-friendly, consistent and intuitive experience to residents across the community.”
— By Joe Gose. This sponsored content was written in conjunction with DISH, a content partner of Seniors Housing Business.
Learn more about DISH Business and senior living.