Technology in Senior Living: How is it Impacting the Sector?
Technology has already revolutionized
the way we work, the way we communicate and the way we seek knowledge. But how
has the digital age affected Senior Living?
The Senior Living sector is big business. With an estimated 1.5 million people turning 65 every year, it’s no surprise that the market is expected to reach almost $300 billion before 2022. A big market needs more help than ever to succeed in an increasingly competitive environment; that’s where technology can come into play.
What is the impact of technology on senior living?
According to 2016 data from
the U.S. Census Bureau, a 19% increase in seniors over 65 years old. In Europe,
that figure is estimated to be 25%. In Japan, where there is currently an ageing crisis due to a low birth rate, there is an estimated 30%
increase.
●
The Rise
in the Use of Smartphones
More than 15% of all
residents of senior living facilities have smartphones. That’s according to the
2016 report from Forrester Consulting. Right now, it’s safe to assume that
number is even higher. According to Pew Research, 90% of people under 30 own a
smartphone. (I’m in the 41-50 demographic, so this isn’t surprising).
Today, it’s impossible to promote a senior living facility without a web presence and active social media accounts. But there’s been a shift in how senior living facilities promote themselves. For example, facilities would post pictures of a beautiful dining room or lobby in the past and expect people to be impressed. They discovered that people weren’t necessarily excited about their beautiful lobbies—they were interested in the residents.
●
Communication
with the Outside World
The top three most
impactful technologies on the communications side include video calling with
family and friends (53%), online resident directories (45%) and online
scheduling (44%).
Video calling is the most
commonly used technology to communicate with family and friends. According to a
recent study, “Video Calling in Nursing Homes and Assisted Living,” 87 per cent of consumers use video calling in senior
care facilities. This helps alleviate family fears of what is going on in their
loved ones’ lives. Eighty-three per cent of consumers say they feel more
confident knowing their loved ones are safe, one in two say they feel more
connected to their family member in care, and a third say they can better
understand what lifestyle changes they may need to make to better support the
individual.
Modern communication with the outside world allows senior living residents to feel like they are still a part of their community. It also offers them peace of mind, knowing their families are well informed about current events, status and how to best advocate for them in their care.
●
The rise
in the use of Medical Technology
Senior living is going
hi-tech! An increasing number of senior living centers are using
connected devices and sensors to
monitor patient health remotely. Online menus, automated medication dispensers
and specialized doorbells that alert staff to the presence of visitors are just
a few examples of recent technological innovations. These new technologies
improve the quality of life for residents and families; they also increase
revenues for many senior living communities. Medical technology will be a 1.7
trillion dollar market by 2023, indicating a strong need for systems to manage
this growth. Additionally, there has been a significant rise in mental health
technology, which tracks depression, dementia, sleep patterns and more. Many
senior living centres can integrate these devices into the lives of their
residents seamlessly, ensuring that the patient’s overall health and happiness
are promoted at all times.
●
Easier
access to data for insight into resident care and operational effectiveness
Technology is here to stay
and has the potential to completely change the way we interact with people in
senior living. Technology—or “technology-enabled”, as some like to say—is
enabling businesses to be more data-driven and more informed about their
operations, resident care, and overall quality of life for residents.
How? A major
benefit technology has brought to senior living is an easier way to look at
data. This data can be used to improve the quality of life for residents. But
it will take a willingness on the part of the industry to bring these types of
technologies into facilities. So, how can
they be introduced?
The first step is simply getting everyone on the same page, from traditionalists to innovators, and defining terms such as “cognitive”, “mechanical”, “automated”, and “smart”. These are the building blocks that we need to move forward on a path towards technology-enriched senior living. I say that all types of eldercare professionals need to be on board because it will allow us to truly see what our residents want out of their lives – ultimately helping us serve them better. This also means that while many are excited about the automated features built into these technologies, some will still prefer a human touch or perhaps need a human touch
●
Location-Based
Services
Technology is changing how
seniors live, work, and interact with their surrounding environment. For
example, we’re seeing the implementation of location-based services that allow
residents to have greater interaction with their environments.
What Is Location-Based Services
Location-based services are defined as technologies that connect people and places through three important elements: location awareness, context awareness, and social awareness. A location-based service displays what is near you using a device’s location, such as smartphones and tablets, while simultaneously providing information based on your personal preferences.
Wrapping up
Technology in Senior Living will continue to improve the lives of both residents and
their families. As technology changes, the sector’s need for health care
professionals will also change. Health care professionals will not receive
their training in a normal classroom setting, but they will learn through
online programs. The BLS reports that “the demand for postsecondary education
services will increase as more adults seek higher education degrees to meet the
growing demand for skilled workers” (“Occupational Projections”).
However, like all things,
technology-based services are not without their challenges. Here are the top
five challenges:
1. Increased Costs
2. Loss of Control
3. Increased Risk of Abuse
4. Decreased Productivity
5. Safety Concerns
While these challenges
exist, it is important to remember that technology-based services can be highly
beneficial in senior living.