5 Tech Trends in Senior Housing

Technology and healthcare are two of the hottest industries in terms of employment outlook and revenue right now, and coincidentally, the two industries complement each other so nicely that they’re like two adjacent puzzle pieces. Technology is increasingly a big part of healthcare management, and more recently, senior living. Whether your love one resides in a community setting, such as assisted living or independent living, or in her own home alone, new technologies are entering the market that can improve your loved one’s safety, mobility and independence. Here are a few top trends in health technology:

1.  Wander protection. Several new programs and gadgets have been introduced that aim to protect elders from Alzheimer’s-related wandering. Wanderers endanger themselves, as they can easily become disoriented and lost.
2.  Wi-Fi is a must. Seniors are becoming increasingly tech-savvy, and much like the working generation, wireless access is considered a necessity, not a luxury. Wireless internet access allows seniors to use their own laptops to stay in touch with family, friends and even business associates.
3.  Engaging websites. More and more, seniors and their families are turning to the internet in their search for senior housing options. Assisted living (and independent living, nursing homes and other types of senior housing providers) websites must be engaging and informative. The better your facility is tapped into the web, the more referrals you’re likely to receive. That means having a presence on prominent social networks, a quality static website and interacting with your potential customers on a regular basis. The internet is no longer an ancillary marketing tactic.