Visit an assisted living community and you might mistake it for a high-end resort. Assisted living offers a warm environment along with positive adjustments that range from interior design to wellness to amenities and services where you or your loved ones can flourish.
In the recent years, technology has significantly contributed to the development of assisted living. Technology has opened up new opportunities enabling the community the possibility to offer services that are not available in people’s homes while enhancing resident comfort and liberty of choice.
What are some of the most significant ways that technology has changed assisted living and is still changing it? Read on to find out more.
Improved Quality of Care
As of 2014, technologies such as point-of-care and electronic medical records were incorporated into 75 percent of assisted living communities in the United States, offering a greater efficiency and security when handling residents’ personal health information.
Technology will continue to advance in the coming years. In order to provide assisted living experts with a wealth of information aiding them in offering the best possible care, communities are starting to implement telehealth technology inclusive of smart devices and networks. These smart technologies are assigned the tasks of monitoring vital indicators and supporting the administration of medications.
Additionally, numerous communities are putting technology to use to support wellness-related initiatives which include exercise and physical rehabilitation.
Internet Access throughout the Community
As more individuals move into assisted living communities, they are more likely to be digital-savvy carrying gadgets like computers, tablets, and cell phones with them. Today’s residents require constant access to a fast internet connection, whether they are engaging in lifelong learning, social media, entertainment, or practical activities like paying bills.
Therefore, to meet these needs of residents and team members, many assisted living facilities have built quick, secure Wi-Fi networks. Most of them even provide separate visitor networks for family, relatives, and vendors.
High Security
Numerous security measures such as trained staff members on duty constantly and physical security features including non-slip flooring, hand rails and the absence of stairs are reasons why many seniors decide to relocate to assisted living facilities.
Communities have started utilizing technology as it develops to their advantage to further safeguard assisted living campuses. Residents who require assistance can press a button that will trigger an immediate emergency response at any place on the assisted living communities.
Communication with loved ones is simple.
Residents are able to use services like Skype and Facetime to stay in touch with their loved ones and lifelong friends with the help of the fast internet access readily available in assisted living communities.
In order to teach residents how to utilize these technologies to video chat with people they would not otherwise see very frequently, numerous communities have trained team members or volunteers.
Residents can get the opportunity to celebrate family milestones such as birthdays, school performances, graduation ceremonies, and weddings directly through chatting via video which offers a more personal experience.
If you are thinking about moving to assisted living, make sure to find out how the technology in the neighborhood helps you live a better life. You’d be surprised at the interesting ways your assisted living community uses technology!
