The founder of a company that invests in senior living providers suggests that now is the time for senior living providers to become advocates for their residents’ health, partly through technology.

In a recent Forbes article, Dr. Eric George, founder and CEO of ERG Enterprises, wrote that ERG is investing in senior living organizations that serve as health advocates in their communities.

Today, with senior living organizations facing increased demand as the population ages and with the prevalence of chronic conditions among older adults, the time is ripe for providers to become health advocates, George wrote.

“…Now, we find ourselves with the perfect opportunity to make health the strength of our value proposition,” George wrote. “The time is opportune, as technology has never been more advanced, and healthcare providers have never been more willing and ready to collaborate.”

“How Senior Living Providers Can Become Health Advocates” lists three areas that providers should prioritize to become health care leaders.

Technology Investments

“Senior living providers must continue to invest in technology and stay on the cutting edge,” George wrote. “That includes procuring solutions such as smart sensors, artificial intelligence, wearables and other innovations that enable communities to track, monitor and synthesize a person’s whole health across numerous data points in real time.” For example, smart home devices enable providers to proactively prevent some health issues, such as falls.

Partnerships with Health Care Providers

Senior living organizations should consider integrating with primary care providers, as giving residents easy access to primary care can help them manage chronic conditions cost-effectively.

With value-based care models increasing, health care providers now have an incentive to partner with senior living, said the article.

Education

Educating staff on how to manage common chronic conditions is important. Partnering with health care professionals to offer classes can help residents learn how best to manage their chronic conditions and avoid hospitalization.

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