Happy New Year! We are diving into 2019 with a look at technology and aging trends, a new federal cybersecurity resource, and the benefits of bringing mobile urgent care into senior living. This month, we preview next-gen aging technology from the Consumer Electronics Show and think about what Big Tech really wants from our residents.
Finally, we learn that health information exchange between skilled nursing facilities and hospitals is lagging and that conversational artificial intelligence is coming to senior living. Let’s get started!
Trends in Technology and Aging
Recently, I had an opportunity to share my thoughts on trends in technology and aging in a CSA Journal interview. I explained why older adults are more accepting of using technology to age in place than seniors were in the past, outlined the many positives of voice-enabled technologies, and gave advice on how to choose and afford technologies. One way is to use CAST’s technology selection tools to help you find the best technologies for your organization and to calculate their return on investment.
Increase Cybersecurity with New HHS Resource
Cyber threats are real and a serious concern for senior living providers. Now, a new cybersecurity resource from the United States Department of Health & Human Services outlines the five biggest threats and shares 10 cybersecurity best practices to help skilled nursing facilities and other healthcare organizations.
A McKnight’s Long-Term Care News article noted a warning from the LeadingAge Cybersecurity White Paper: that aging services and the healthcare industry are frequent cyber-attack targets because our data is often lucrative, and our industry’s security is typically weak compared to other fields.
For additional information on cybersecurity, please check out the LeadingAge CAST Cybersecurity Resources.
Startups Are Bringing Urgent Care into Senior Living
The demand for services like DispatchHealth, a startup that offers two-person mobile units that provide care and have a board-certified emergency room physician overseeing the dispatch process, will rise in the future. LeadingAge member Christian Living Communities found the service reduced resident turnover and emergency room admissions.
Explore the Newest in Aging Tech
Earlier this month, the Consumer Electronics Show highlighted cutting-edge aging technologies such as wearables, smart clothing, snoring-stoppers, virtual assistants, virtual reality, a self-driving wheelchair, and more.
Consider the Big Picture with Big Tech
A recent article in Senior Housing News cautions senior living providers to think of all the implications for residents as Big Tech companies move into the senior living market. It’s vital to stay aware of these companies’ goals—and keep your own residents’ needs in mind.
Health Information Exchange Between SNFs and Hospitals Lags
Health information exchange between skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and hospitals has plenty of room to grow, according to a new study by the University of Minnesota reported in McKnight’s Long-Term Care News. Researchers analyzing hospitalization records from nearly 5,500 patients found that even when HIE was available, SNFs used it only about 46% of the time. SNFs accessed records for only 29% of patients in the three days after those patients were discharged.
Conversational Artificial Intelligence Comes to Senior Living
Learn how Thrive Senior Living communities will use a first-of-its-kind operating system to bring conversational artificial intelligence to all its communities in 2019. Thrive will use a voice operating system from Aiva Health to empower residents and connect them more closely to their caregivers.
If you would like to learn more about social connectedness and engagement technology, please check out the CAST Social Connectedness and Engagement Technology Tool.
CAST Member News
In CAST member news, we are pleased to welcome two new CAST Supporters, one new CAST Patron, and three new CAST Business Associates. We also applaud our members who were featured in a recent article about cybersecurity and texting, and a member whose products were featured in the news.
Feel Free to Contact Me
If you have news to share with CAST or if I can be of assistance in any way, please don’t hesitate to contact me.