New developments in technology are paving the way for seniors to lead more fulfilling and healthier lives in assisted living communities. As the aging population looks ahead and plans for the future, tech-savvy senior living facilities aim to provide residents with an enhanced quality of life, secure monitoring techniques, and opportunities to connect with family and friends. Explore a range of assisted living technologies that can enrich your loved one’s experience.
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Advancements in assisted living technologies improve the senior living experience in many important ways. Technological upgrades in assisted living communities benefit both residents and caregivers. From improving the way that health care professionals interact with one another to giving seniors the chance to engage with the world around them, these improvements are essential to proper care.
Assisted living communities take a user-centered approach to exploring and implementing innovative technology. Are new platforms easy for seniors to use? Does the updated technology help simplify daily tasks for caregivers? Assisted living communities are working hard to address these questions and give residents the dynamic care they deserve.
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Through staying active on social media, engaging on specialized patient portals, and pursuing hobbies and interests virtually, assisted living residents can benefit from online experiences in real ways. The following assisted living technologies can increase a sense of well-being and connection for residents.
As of 2021, nearly 67% of adults over 65 reported that they go online every day.[01] Most assisted living communities offer free, high-speed internet and Wi-Fi for residents. While having Wi-Fi was once a luxury, it’s now an expectation.
More than 50% of seniors have a smartphone,[02] allowing them to freely navigate the web. For residents without their own personal electronic devices, many assisted living facilities have established business centers where they make computers and laptops available for resident use.
At least 45% of adults 65 and over have a social media presence. Facebook and YouTube are the most trafficked social media sites for seniors. Social media channels allow users to stay up to date with friends — no matter the physical distance between them.
Research has shown that keeping in touch with family and friends is a way that seniors can prevent isolation and loneliness, two concerns that can lead to serious mental or physical health problems. In fact, studies have shown that social engagement can help reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, so interaction with others is key to maintaining good health.[03]
Many assisted living brands have launched their own personalized applications that allow residents to interact with others outside of the community. Patient portals allow family members to log in and see what’s going on in the facility, from what activities their loved one is participating in each day to what’s on the dinner menu for the week ahead.
Patient portals often feature two-way communication, allowing grandchildren to download the app and send text messages to their grandparents or for seniors to send photos to their friends within the portal.
Surfing the internet allows seniors to maintain an interest in their favorite activities and keep up with their passions. From participating in an online exercise class or video chatting with old pals to playing mind-stimulating games, there’s no shortage of entertainment for seniors online. You’ll find plenty of virtual brain games, puzzles, and applications that aim to boost seniors’ cognitive abilities and memory skills.
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Technology doesn’t just help us keep in touch with the world around us — it can also increase our sense of safety and security. Innovations have simplified routine tasks that previously took a lot of time and energy for assisted living staff. In the past, caregivers were responsible for not only looking after residents but also managing on-site operations and completing daily paperwork.
Advances in technology are helping doctors, nurses, and aides stay informed with current resident preferences and medical needs. The following modernizations have helped transform assisted living communities in providing improved services and top-notch care for residents.
Today, many assisted living communities use digital filing systems. Electronic records allow caregivers to see residents’ medical paperwork quickly with just the click of a mouse or the tap of a tablet.
Electronic files offer greater security of patient data, the ability for doctors and caregivers to quickly share information with one another, and a reduction in inaccuracies compared to handwritten paperwork.
Assisted living technologies are enhancing senior safety through the use of fall prevention devices, emergency response software, wander prevention systems, and more. These kinds of discreet monitoring services allow assisted living staff to keep a close eye on residents without being in the same room.
Assisted living communities may offer bed alarms that signal when residents get up throughout the night, leaving them at risk for falls or wandering. Door alarms alert caregivers from afar when residents leave approved areas. Rooms and hallways can also be equipped with motion detectors, surveillance cameras, and call buttons that indicate a resident’s exact location when they need assistance. These technologies allow assisted living residents to get immediate help any time, not just during a staff-scheduled visit to their room.
Services like Amazon’s Alexa, Apple’s Siri, or Google Assistant can help seniors get remote assistance using voice commands. When these devices are installed in assisted living communities, residents can have peace of mind in their apartments knowing that they’re able to easily call for help, send texts via voice to friends, and set alarms for medication reminders.
Some assisted living communities have installed smart products that can control environmental factors. Smart systems can remotely control what temperature the thermostat is set at, check if the stove has been on for longer than an hour, and dispense a patient’s medications for the day.
Are you wondering if assisted living may be the right fit for your aging loved one? Reach out to one of A Place for Mom’s Senior Living Advisors, and let us help you explore high-tech communities and senior-focused amenities at assisted living facilities in your area.
With a national network of more than 17,000 senior living communities, A Place for Mom can help you find the perfect care match today.
Vimarlund, V., Borycki, E. M., Kushniruk, A. W., & Avenberg, K. (2021). Ambient assisted living: Identifying new challenges and needs for digital technologies and service innovation. Yearbook of Medical Informatics.
Pew Research Center. (2021, April 7). Mobile fact sheet.
Ruthirakuhan, M., Luedke, A. C., Tam, A., Goel, A., Kurji, A., & Garcia, A. (2012, December 31). Use of physical and intellectual activities and socialization in the management of cognitive decline of aging and in dementia: A review. Journal of Aging Research.
Davenport, T. & Kalakota, R. (2019, June). The potential for artificial intelligence in healthcare. Future Healthcare Journal.
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