By Christian Buesing, director of operations – technology solutions, Direct Supply
Technology needs to serve a purpose. In my personal life I am slow to implement new technology into my routine until I know for sure it will serve me well. I am not the guy who has the latest tech toys just for the fun of it.
In our industry, superior senior care is demanded. With the current staffing shortage, the technology incorporated into any community needs to improve staff efficiency and resident well-being.
There are high expectations for the functions our technology systems serve. At the same time, tech systems should not be intrusive. Solutions should not take away from beautiful architecture and interior design.
High-performing, low-profile technology systems offer significant labor savings, promote security and resident monitoring, and maximize safety through contact tracing and infection prevention. They also improve resident engagement experiences and provide family members with peace of mind.
Improve outcomes with innovative tech solutions
As senior living technology becomes complex, you will need integrated solutions to excel in the future. Here are technology systems that help fill in the gaps and boost labor savings:
Fall prevention
SafelyYou’s fall prevention solution is designed to not only alert for falls, but to incorporate learnings in reducing and preventing future falls. Results-driven artificial intelligence detects and prevents falls through ongoing consultations to enable caregivers to implement a person-centered fall prevention program.
Falls increased 20 percent during the pandemic, but SafelyYou’s fall detection technology has shown strong results — up to 40 percent decrease in falls and up to 80 percent decrease in ER visits. This leads to a doubled length of stay in memory care communities, translating to an additional $100,000 in revenue for a 30-bed memory care unit in only six months.
SafelyYou ensures your residents’ privacy because it only records when a fall is detected. The recording gives visibility into the fall event to inform the appropriate response. Fall experts consult with staff to share recommendations and best practices to help reduce the falls within a community.
Real-time location systems
Real-time location systems (RTLS), such as CenTrak, deliver room-level location accuracy to support nurse call, wander management, resident roaming, contact tracing, asset locating and duress response. RTLS systems are deployable across multiple care levels.
CenTrak offers a senior living-specific version of their hospital system. TruView delivers room-level location accuracy, something others promise but cannot achieve. TruView combines nurse call, wander, roaming, contact tracing and asset locating functions into one platform.
CenTrak has over 20 years of experience in acute care with 7 million devices in over 1,000 buildings. The insights from CenTrak’s RTLS can help with operational efficiency, contact tracing, emergency response and more, which results in lower overall financial investment and labor savings.
Networking and Wi-Fi
Invest in the most important technology in your community — your network. Ensure you have the right wired and wireless network connections in place to optimize smart technology and keep your residents, guests and staff connected.
From infrastructure and managed services to technology design services, there are a variety of solutions available to senior living operators to upgrade, refresh or service the networks in their communities. Professional low-voltage design services are offered for different types of projects including new construction, renovation or system upgrade needs.
Wander management
Safely foster resident independence with wander management systems featuring resident-specific door locking options based on individual care needs, plus capabilities to constantly monitor indoor location to prevent roaming.
These systems are designed for senior living with memory care in mind to provide freedom while creating a safe and secure environment for well-being. Wander management solutions are tailored to meet the needs of dementia-care residents and prevent danger while providing independence.
Multiple configuration settings can be scaled to meet your needs like keeping people in or out, sound level and additional coverage. Choose between resident identification or no identification based on your needs and budget. Reporting options like local alarms, centralized alarms and integration to nurse call for mobile alarms are also customizable.
Access control
Bolster your building security plan with access control, a smart security system using ID badges and fobs. Understand who is entering or exiting your community and allow or deny access based on a person’s need to be in a specific area all with your computer or smartphone.
These systems protect your residents, staff, visitors and assets with enhanced door security because they are designed for integration into your building operations. Access control keeps residents secure and controls staff, guest and visitor entry.
Gain insight into specific locations in your building and audit your door activity. Remotely manage door access and user access without the need to be on-site. Security ranges from entering a code on a keypad to biometric access to high-security areas. Access control can be integrated with wireless locks, intercom systems, video surveillance cameras, nurse call platforms and more.
Video surveillance
Keep an eye on potential security concerns by using video surveillance. The latest technology utilizes artificial intelligence to quickly search video in real or recorded time to see and confirm events.
Gain valuable insights and enhance your security measures with the latest in IP video solutions. This security solution provides awareness and alerts to potential security threats, as well as remote access to live and recorded video footage. There are simple interfaces for easy, ongoing use, which can easily expand as needed.
While the fundamentals in senior living — economics, demographics, technology and consumerism — are continuing to drive change, we are also seeing a need to create environments that support enhanced, ongoing health and safety for staff and residents.