MORE FROM HEALTHTECH: Explore our coverage from the LeadingAge Annual Meeting.
HEALTHTECH: What can LeadingAge attendees expect at an all-virtual event?
SLOAN: We’re treading some brand-new territory, but we’ve tried to bring as much of the experience that happens when we’re face to face into a virtual platform.
We still have an exhibit hall, we still have educational and general sessions, and we’ve created virtual networking events where tech companies and providers come together and create that informal exchange — which is a big part of our conference for members.
Educational sessions will be shorter because people are tired from being on Zoom and a screen all day, and we’ll also have some late-afternoon entertainment. We’re trying our best to have as much variety as possible with plenty of opportunity for connection.
HEALTHTECH: How has the pandemic changed the focus of your programming?
SLOAN: The technology portion of the conference is just tremendous this year. We’re really focused on telehealth, social connectedness and screening tools. It’s about asking, “How do we make sure that we keep our residents and staff safe?”
We know the primary way the virus gets into a nursing home or an assisted living community is from staff — and it’s often those who work in more than one community or those who are going home to their families and unwittingly becoming infected.
The extent that we can screen people, whether it’s temperature checks or actual testing, is essential.