National Assisted Living Week is Sunday, September 11th. This year’s theme is “Keep Connected”! A perfect theme to highlight the importance of utilizing the latest technologies to keep senior citizens engaged and in tune with the world around them. Read on to learn more about how you can incorporate technology in simple ways throughout your community.
Numerous studies have concluded that the key to a prosperous assisted living community is a high level of engagement from the senior residents that are a part of it. This can be a difficult task to say the least. Not only do you try to come up with new and innovative ideas for activities and events, but you also need to ensure that your residents are informed and up-to-date on the latest community news. Ensuring that their families are in tune with the assisted living activities and news is a whole other ball game. At InTouchLink, we’re all about making your lives a little easier. This is why we have come up with 8 simple ways to keep your residents and their families engaged.
1. Easy-to-View Info on Large LTC TV Screens across the Community and in Resident Suites
Information needs to be easily accessible. You could have the best, most innovative assisted living activity program of any community, but if your residents are not aware of these activities due to poor communication tools, then nobody will be benefiting from the activities. Large screen LTC TVs mounted in high-traffic areas of your assisted living community as well as an in-suite channel are highly efficient, easily accessible modes of communicating all kinds of information and can be updated instantly across the board.
2. Calendars, Menus and More
A wide range of informative sources can be displayed and accessed technologically. Menus, Activity Calendars, Photos, Videos, Shift Schedules and more can all be inputted and viewed online through the resident portal or on screens throughout the community. The beauty of this is that residents can access this information from the comfort of their own suites, versus having to travel out to a certain area such as an activity board. The other advantage is that changes can be done in seconds and are seamless – versus changing paper copies which can be a hassle. So not only is it convenient for residents, but it’s convenient for the community!
Enter your info below to access the
9 Technologies for Senior Living Guide
"*" indicates required fields
3. Photos and Videos Splashing Memories on LTC TV Screens
Who doesn’t love to see themselves on the big screen?! Residents, families and staff members alike love seeing pleasant memories splashed across large-screen LTC TVs in the community. It is a wonderful way to not only jog residents’ memory, but also to solidify a sense of community and keep everyone active and engaged – and looking forward to the next time they will be creating memories!
4. Popular/Funny Videos
Another really fun way to keep everyone engaged and having fun – posting videos! Videos can be posted directly from YouTube onto screens throughout the community and the options are endless! Post Just for Laughs Gags videos, funny animal videos, older movie clips (I’m lookin’ at you, Casablanca) and whatever else you think your residents might like to see! You could even have a radio channel playing from the screens, so everyone can show off their best dance moves (check out this video from one of our partner communities for some dance move inspiration).
5. Super Easy Email System and Online Portal for Senior Residents
For residents who are more tech-savvy, or who would like to be more tech-savvy, it’s a great idea to provide them with some basic training on how to use a computer. An all-in-one resident portal that provides access to a super-simple retirement email system, community events, their own online calendar and even direct links to their favorite websites is a wonderful way to keep them engaged and updated on the world around them.
6. Family Member Access
Naturally, family members of residents want to know what’s going on at their relative’s retirement community. It’s worth investing in a retirement system that allows them to easily connect with the community where they can view photos, calendars, menus, monthly newsletters and more. (With no extra work for you!)
7. Live Message Updates to Families and Residents
In cases where you would like to have information quickly relayed to family members – a system that will display the message on TV screens in the retirement community whilst also sending the information to family members is a highly efficient method of keeping everyone informed at once!
8. Tablets
Tablets provide a user-friendly interface for all ages to use the internet and include access to other nifty applications such as Skype to communicate with family members, mind games to keep the brain sharp, and WebMD to track pill intake and more. The price of tablets has decreased dramatically over the years – you can even purchase a Kindle Fire from Amazon for about $50 and use it as a tablet!
Now that you’re equipped with all of this information to keep your senior residents more engaged through the benefits of technology – what are you waiting for? The easiest method to implementing all of these steps is to invest in a retirement solution that can do it all. Book your no-obligation demo with us today to see how we can make your retirement community a better place.
Book a demo today! The demo is customized around you. Get answers to your unique questions and find out why InTouchLink is the right choice for your community.
Access to the full platform
Customized to your specific needs
Full support and platform onboarding
& Much more!
See For Yourself.
Book a Demo Today!
"*" indicates required fields
Watch our FREE 5-Minute Demo Video
Sign Up For Our Newsletter
"*" indicates required fields
