5 Ways to Build a Successful 21st Century Senior Living Community

The 21st century senior living community may seem like a far-off dream, but with a focused plan and the proper framework, it’s entirely within reach. Here are a few key takeaways to keep in mind as you push to bring your community into the 21st century.

1. This Is Not Grandma’s Nursing Home

The long-standing notion of drab, dreary, old-fashioned nursing homes as places where Grandma and other seniors live is a thing of the past. The 21st senior living community stands as a thriving tech ecosystem, where devices interact with one another to enhance resident and staff experiences — and this is what providers should strive for.

2. Implement Technology with Purpose

In order to achieve success as a 21st century senior living community, providers must completely understand how technology products work, where they fit into their facilities and how they would benefit residents. This requires determining company initiatives, strategic planning and appropriate budgets, to achieve both individual and all-encompassing goals.

3. Consider the Many Facets of Modern Senior Living

Providing residents with tablets and calling it a day isn’t the way to reach 21st century senior living community status. Rather, there are many areas in which providers need to concentrate their efforts to improve the resident experience and operational efficiencies, including wellness and healthcare, resident communication, safety and security, entertainment and staffing.

4. Infrastructure Comes First, No Matter What

Senior living providers can have all of the latest and greatest technology, but if they don’t have the proper infrastructure to support it, their efforts will certainly fall short. Installing a blend of hardware, software, networks and IT departments allows providers the means to launch new technology initiatives, but it all starts with the needs of the community itself — and depends largely on what future residents will demand.

5. There's No Single Formula to a Successful Community

Considering the needs of today’s senior living residents and thinking ahead to the desires of future residents are challenges that all providers face in implementing technology. To truly achieve the distinction of 21st century senior living communities, operators need to plan for change and create environments that can quickly adapt to new technologies.

For more on how to make successful use of technology in the 21st century senior living community, check the report "The 21st Century Senior Living Community."