Five technologies to consider when choosing senior living for a loved one

Finding a senior living community for your loved one can be stressful, especially if you don’t know the right questions to ask. Technology might not come to mind first when you think of senior living, but finding a community that uses smart tech features can make a huge difference for your loved one’s safety and health. Plus, elders are more tech savvy than ever and want tech that can help them live a happier, more connected life: 92% of senior living residents have a smartphone, 58% have a voice assistant, and 40% have a fitness tracker.

Here are five technologies you should consider when touring communities. Scroll to the end of this post for a printable sheet you can use with the top questions you should be asking about every aspect of senior living. ‍

1. Smart home features‍

Smart home technology has made everyday life safer and more convenient for the millions of households that use them, and that’s no different in senior living communities. Smart home tech doesn’t need to be incredibly high-tech or complicated for it to be effective. Look out for automatic or motion-sensor lights. These can help prevent falls by ensuring rooms are well-lit as needed, especially in walkways or bathrooms. Many communities are also starting to use voice-activated assistants, such as speakers enabled with Alexa, which can allow elders to adjust lighting, turn on the TV, set reminders, or make calls with ease. These technologies promote independence and comfort for elders, making their living environment both safer and more adaptable.‍

What to ask the senior living facility: What kind of lighting do you use? Do you equip the rooms with any smart devices? Are smart speakers or voice assistants used for residents with limited mobility, or can those devices be added?‍

2. Care tracking and transparency

How does the staff track their care? Often, the answer in low-tech communities is paper, an EHR system, and an antiquated nurse call system. Those systems are disjointed and families will only ever get a verbal report with little (if any) data backing up how their loved one received care. With platforms like Sage, on the other hand, communities automatically track every step of the caregiving process and can generate reports with detailed data, so families can get granular insights about their loved ones’ care. LifeLoop or similar platforms are also great at capturing activities other than care, allowing family members to organize transportation, view their loved ones’ calendar, and support other needs. Gaining transparency through tech not only helps establish trust, but allows for quick responses if your loved one has changes to their health or routine. ‍

What to ask the senior living facility: How does your team track caregiving and activities? Do they use any particular app, such as Sage? How is that data shared with families?‍

3. Fall detection

Falls are one of the most significant risks for seniors, as the leading cause of injury for adults aged 65 and up. Each year, approximately 1 in 4 older adults report a fall. However, many seniors may be resistant to wearing pendants or simply forget to put them on. The good news is that fall detection technology has made incredible strides, and some technology can accurately identify falls and alert caregivers without your loved one having to wear a device. For example, wall sensors use radar or motion detection to automatically detect falls. If you’re concerned about privacy, just be sure to ask if these systems also use video to track motion and, if so, how that video is used.‍

What to ask the senior living facility: Do you have fall detection systems? What system and how does it work?‍

4. Emergency call systems

Having an efficient emergency call system is a non-negotiable feature in any senior living community. These systems ensure that help is just a button press away, providing peace of mind for both residents and their families. This immediate response capability can be life-saving in critical situations, ensuring that medical assistance is provided as quickly as possible. With Sage, residents can quickly press a button on a pendant or the wall to call for assistance. Caregivers will all get pinged on their individual devices and can note when they’re responding or use the Sage app to escalate, should they need additional help. In this case, tech makes a huge difference: Sage helps reduce response times by 50% as compared to traditional nurse call systems.‍

What to ask the senior living facility: What emergency call systems do you use? How are caregivers alerted?‍

5. Medication management

Proper medication management is essential for maintaining the health of seniors, particularly those with chronic conditions. Technology can play a pivotal role in ensuring medications are taken correctly and on time. Automated medication dispensers and reminder systems help seniors adhere to their prescribed schedules, reducing the risk of missed doses or medication errors. These systems may be covered by insurance and can even integrate with care tracking apps. This ensures that seniors receive the right medications at the right times, promoting better health outcomes. If medication dispenser technology isn’t appropriate for your loved one, then ask about the certifications of the individual who will be giving out medications. Also make sure that they are using the eMAR system to track medication rather than paper, which can vastly reduce medical errors and the risk of negative drug interactions.  ‍

What to ask the senior living facility: How do you track what medications residents receive? Are there any automatic dispensers or other technology used to give the right meds at the right times?‍

Check out our printable list of every question you should ask when touring senior living communities for yourself or with your loved one.