As the industry continues recovering from COVID-19, senior living organizations are focusing their technology investment on resident engagement. That’s the message from a recent survey by MatrixCare by ResMed, a LeadingAge Gold Partner with CAST Focus, and Senior Housing News.

An online survey captured the views of 134 senior living staff in late spring and early summer of this year. The 2021 Tech and COVID-19 Recovery Survey Report presented these four findings: 

• Occupancy and workforce challenges are bottom-line disruptors for senior living organizations, which are willing to spend to fix them.
• The majority of senior living organizations have just begun to experience occupancy recovery, and they are turning to their local communities to drive growth.
• Talent attraction is a significant pain point for senior living organizations today.
• Resident populations are ready for technology. 

The good news is that most providers are already engaged in addressing these issues. The vast majority either have a technology solution in place to solve their challenge (40%) or are actively seeking a tech solution (39%).

In which technologies will these organizations invest in 2021? In resident engagement (31% of respondents,) health and wellness initiatives (27%), and interoperability (20%).

Survey results also turned up a potential opportunity to improve their electronic health record (EHR) system. Of survey respondents, only 31% believed their EHR software meets their workflow and business needs, 37% are somewhat satisfied, and 22% do not have an EHR.

As for barriers, said the report, “small tech budgets (29%), insufficient infrastructure in staff buildings (24%), and staff exhaustion are the top three obstacles to achieving tech-related goals in 2021.”

A recent Senior Housing News article, “Resident Engagement—Not Operational Efficiency—Drives Most Senior Living Tech Investment,” shares findings in detail.

Engagement Tech at the LeadingAge Annual Meeting + EXPO

Register today for the LeadingAge Annual Meeting + EXPO to discover more technology solutions that engage residents and staff. Set for Oct. 24-27, 2021, in Atlanta, the meeting features these and other Aging Services Technologies Track sessions:

1-A. Accelerating Technology Innovation after COVID

Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021

3 p.m. – 4 p.m.

4-C. Technologies We Need Now More Than Ever

Monday, Oct. 25, 2021

8 a.m. – 9 a.m.

6-E. Should Your Team Members Carry Smart Devices?

Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2021

8 a.m. – 9 a.m.

7-E. Technology Support and Training for Residents and Clients

Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2021

8 a.m. – 9 a.m.

11-G. Bridging the Interoperability Gap in Post-Acute Care

Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2021

10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

12-H. Leveraging Technology to Build Community During COVID

Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2021

Noon – 1 p.m.

Register today!