An Internet of Things approach to Senior and Assisted Living
Staffing shortages and rising care costs have forced many senior and assisted living facilities and communities to make difficult decisions in the past few years. Luckily (and not too surprisingly) there are several connected technology and internet of things devices that can provide long-term solutions to these issues.
For a quick run-down (courtesy of Wikipedia) for those who need it, the internet of things (IoT) “describes physical objects (or groups of such objects) with sensors, processing ability, software and other technologies that connect and exchange data with other devices and systems over the Internet or other communications networks.”
In senior and assisted living, depending on budget and goals these devices can include any number or combination of beacons, cameras, smart flooring, and more. These technologies provide solutions in their own ways, and vary in terms of accuracy, data density, integrations, and more, but can all provide some series of benefits.
Patient and facility monitoring - Most devices will be able to provide some form of data and monitoring of entries, exits, and possibly occupancy (depending on accuracy) in rooms and spaces throughout your facility. This can provide staff with data and feedback on activity and whereabouts of residents, and quick updates or alerts on security issues if certain activity is captured in unexpected areas.
Mobility health - With enhanced accuracy and appropriate algorithmic capabilities, some devices will be able to identify how and when residents are moving on a specific level. Events like gate-changes, abnormal movements in rooms, or even falls can be instantly detected, alerting staff and addressing potentially serious events far quicker than traditional means.
Staffing efficiency - With help from IoT devices, assisted and senior living staff can be provided with a constant and overarching view into their entire facility. And while the value of face-to-face time with residents is high, having the ability to monitor the status of rooms and activity without the need to walk the halls on a consistent basis saves time and provides staff with more time to attend to tasks that need immediate attention.
Operations and savings - Separate from resident care, IoT devices can also play a large role in operations and services throughout your facilities. Opportunities for enhancement or integration include but are not limited to powering motion activated lighting, occupancy-driven HVAC controls that adjust to room usage, activity monitoring to determine cleaning and service needs, and more. These abilities all provide huge returns to the bottom-line of the facility and improve operational efficiency immensely.
Implementing new technology via IoT devices in your facility can not only save time, money, and resources within the facility, but also provide a safer environment for residents and a better peace of mind for their families. Human staffing will and should never be absent from senior and assisted living, but providing a layer of technology and data can help improve care and operations across the board.