LeadingAge CAST has released updates to its Social Connectedness and Engagement Technology Selection Tool. The matrix and online selection tool now include updated information on 39 products. Four new products have been added:

• Quiltt: Helps increase resident engagement and family communication, resulting in less turnover, better reviews, and an increased census.
• Evoke Health: Shares resident information with families in real time through secure electronic health record integration.
• ElliQ by Intuition Robotics: Provides a friendly presence in residents’ daily lives, a personal sidekick on the journey to age independently.
• Claris Healthcare: Offers one platform for delivering remote care to seniors at home, enabling older seniors to connect online and stay healthy.

7 New CAST Case Studies

Seven new case studies demonstrate how senior living providers have used a variety of social connectedness and engagement solutions.

Facilitating Connection: The Power of Equipping Seniors with Devices to Broker Social Engagement: To keep older adults connected during COVID-19, LeadingAge member 2Life pioneered a Digital Device Lending Library of Chromebooks and tablets preloaded with wireless internet, Zoom software, and a way to access coursework over Zoom. Since the start of the program in the fall of 2020, devices enabled 76% of participants to socialize with family, friends, and others; 74% have socialized with the 2Life community.

Using Technology to Socially Connect and Engage Meals on Wheels with Clients: When Meals on Wheels Rowan (MOW) in Spencer, NC, limited frozen meal deliveries to weekly during the pandemic, clients became isolated. MOW then delivered clients the Claris Companion®, an easy-to-use tablet and software solution. Three months into the pilot program, depression and social isolation surveys found a 40% decrease in depression symptoms and a significant increase in social interactions.

Project VITAL: Impacting Loneliness and Well-Being through Engagement Technology: Project VITAL (Virtual Inclusive Technology for All) is a public-private partnership in Florida to mitigate loneliness for older adults. It provided easy-to-use Wi-Fi enabled tablets with content from iN2L, a LeadingAge Bronze Partner with CAST Focus, at 300 senior living communities. Residents experienced more engagement (4,140 monthly tablet sessions of 34 minutes each), less loneliness (1,995 monthly video calls to friends and family), and better mood.

All In: Enabling Meaning for All Elders and Team Augmentation with Technology: At LeadingAge Member Presbyterian Senior Living in Dillsburg, PA, staff members are using Linked Senior to offer research-based engagement opportunities that are fun and person-centered and that improve team members’ efficiencies. Outcomes include up to 5.75 days of staff time saved per community per month, a 3%+ improvement in resident and family satisfaction, and reduced social isolation and loneliness.

Engagement Technology for Senior Care: Timberhill Place in Corvallis, OR, used Quiltt to establish regular, reliable, and timely messaging with family members. Quiltt delivered over 5,000 messages to family members during nine months. Family members use the Quiltt app the most; they look at daily menus and activities, as well as pictures and videos of their loved ones. The 64 family users have had 74,000 page views, reducing demands on staff to respond to inquiries.

Combating Social Isolation and Enriching Activities Through Virtual Reality Technology: LeadingAge member Ohio Living at Breckenridge Village deployed Rendever’s virtual resident engagement system, which enabled residents to “leave” their community through virtual worldwide travel and live programming, connect in new ways, and share meaningful experiences. Monthly sessions quadrupled from 2020 to 2021. Two more communities have now deployed Rendever’s systems, and it is part of a traveling marketing campaign.

Reaching New Residents: Technology as a Culture Tool: Presbyterian Village Athens in Athens, GA, was one of the only life plan communities to open during the pandemic. Wellzesta Life, a LeadingAge Associate Business Partner with CAST Focus, brought resident engagement and connection: In the first six months, 90% of residents used Wellzesta Life, 46% used the app daily, and the app facilitated 3,922 friendships. Wellzesta Life also increased staff efficiencies through departmental and resident communications.

Make sure you check these and other previously collected case studies, and use our Social Connectedness and Engagement Technology Selection Tool, if you’re interested in implementing such technologies for your constituents.