I hope everyone is staying cool and had a wonderful July 4th Holiday. You can catch me at the CAHF conference in Dana Point in two weeks, but in the meantime we are seeing in increased interest in the industry about delivering connectivity and building community using a new crop of web-based applications and senior-friendly training. We'll attempt to profile some of these offerings over the next few months.
As I have discussed in previous postings, owner operators need to provide a connected environment for their residents. However, providing the connection is merely the first step. Without the means to leverage the Internet, you are simply providing them a powerful and possibly dangerous vehicle without teaching them how to drive.
A new company based in
Benefits for the owner operators
Keeping the senior engaged – Providing access to the internet keeps the senior interested, learning, and occupied. Studies have shown that seniors who keep their minds engaged live longer and less dependent lives. Providing protected and safe access to the internet opens doors to other communities, the ability to play games and puzzles online and to access content that they are specific ally interested.
Revenue Generation – MyBridge for the owner operator is a “hosted application” of sorts that enables the owner operator to provide a hosted, managed internet service for a monthly fee that can be scaled based on the needs of the resident.
Connections to family members – MyBridge provides an open line of communication to both the resident and their family members. Leveraging email provides documented communications and for remote family members it enables to them to be updated and in communication with the community staff. In addition, getting the seniors online means getting their families more actively involved in their lives and it provides an opportunity to discuss the health of the senior with the family.
Benefits to residents
Keeping them Connected - MyBridge enables residents to connect with one another and their families, make plans and keep them both active and engaged. Community members who engage one another and their families and remain active are more likely to stay in the community.
Keeping them informed – MyBridge is accessible from the comfort of their home, their computer center or anywhere in the world. They can create personal schedules and be alerted via email when schedules change.
Provides a protected online experience – MyBridge enables residents to get online, surf the web, be informed and communicate with their families without having to worry about scammers and spammers.
Provides a voice – through MyBridge, residents are given a voice. They can communicate directly with owner operators or if the community has a web site. The owner operators can setup blogs or sections of the web site that are authored by the residents.
Features
MyBridge includes a list of features that will help the senior while online and help the owner operator communicate directly with their residents.
Protected email – MyBridge provides a protected email environment with controlled email lists that will filter spammers and scammers.
Automatic photo management – MyBridge will automatically file and manage photos sent by family members, the community or friends.
Manageable Calendar - Approved members or the senior can add events to the calendar. That way, everyone is kept up to date on family gatherings, doctor appointments and other critical events.
Safe sites – MyBridge contains a list of over 1,000 safe with the ability to for either family members or staff to add more safe sites to the users list.
Call Me Now button – this button will notify staff or family members that the resident in need of help.
Weather and News – this section of the portal can be adapted for your regional area and will keep the resident informed of any weather alerts.
Finally, MyBridge offers protection and security. A senior who feels safe online and free from threat are likely to spend more time engaged in online activities, games and communicating with relatives.
Technology one way or another will continue to penetrate assisted living facilities. Owner operators that are proactive with technology will be able to more easily communicate with the residents, keep them informed and create a more active community environment. In addition, providing these services will provide a reoccurring revenue stream that likely would have gone to someone else.
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