Elderly homes need more interactivity

Technology has brought the world places. However, some places seem to be better of analogue and traditional. Think of elderly homes. The older generation is not necessarily known for their technical skills. But, that doesn’t mean it couldn’t be of use in their life. Older people are embracing modern technology more than ever before. In fact, according to recent research, 77% of over-65s used the internet at home in 2020. Also in elderly homes, digitalization could increase efficiency and make a lot of things easier.

The entrance

The first thing visitors of elderly homes encounter is the reception. A receptionist usually welcomes them, checks their appointment and registrates them if necessary and then refers them to the right room and the person they are visiting. Digitalization of this checking-in process, however, would mean that a Digital Reception takes over (or helps with) the physical receptionist’s task. A friendly kiosk helps and guides visitors, calls and informs the relevant person about the visit and gives personnel of elderly homes time for other tasks. With cuts and costs in health care and increasing work pressure, this can be really helpful and efficiënt.

Finding your way

After checking in at the reception, it can be challenging to find the right floor and room. Wayfinding signs are a nice guidance, not only for visitors, but also for elder people with eventual memory loss. However, these too can use a digital makeover. Replacing analogue signs with digital ones, can save elderly homes a lot of time and money. Digital wayfinding signs can be managed and updated in one central system, and changes can be made in just a split second. This saves time, print and material costs. Both visitors and residents will be guided correctly wherever they want to go!

The right room

The next challenge is knowing which room your relative stays in.
Elderly people can switch rooms quite often and people come and go. This means room signs have to be updated quite often. Same as with wayfinding signs, this could be more efficiënt by going digital. Digital room signs can be managed and updated from the same system as digital wayfinding and have the same benefits. They can even include a picture of the relevant person. No more getting lost!

Entertaining and informing

Another important thing in elderly homes is entertaining the elderly and providing them with activities, and informing them and employees. A digital solution named “narrowcasting” can be of use here. You can mix this up with before mentioned wayfinding items. Interactive information screens hanging in public spaces in elderly homes can display a range of information sources. News items, message boards, interesting videos, weather information, upcoming activities and much more can be shown on elegant screens.

Don’t wait any longer, introduce technology in elderly homes!