EMERGENCY PLANNING AND PREPAREDNESS
Square installed door access devices that used the same fobs that residents carry to open the locks to their apartments. “The residents liked the entry door fob
JON SCOTT WILLIAMS Executive Director
Fellowship Square in Mesa, Ariz.
“Virtually every solution we have implemented is only possible because years ago we installed and are constantly improving our enterprise grade Wi-Fi system.”
system because of the security it affords,” Williams said. “Prior to COVID, anyone that walked up to the door could come in. But now, unless you have a fob, or you use the Wi-Fi doorbell you cannot enter any of the resident buildings. Security has im- proved, the residents feel much safer.” Go- ing a step further, the community is install- ing a new Wi-Fi integrated resident door locking system. Keys for the system can be made at the front desk, just as at a hotel. The locks can be locked by security with the press of a button on a mobile app during an emergency and can be unlocked in case of fire or another emergency, he said. “The locks replace the clumsy combina-
tion door latch/deadbolt system,” Williams said. “The two locks caused confusion for residents and staff especially during an emergency. The new system provides real- time data necessary to operate the commu- nity. It uses scalable access control software, supporting intelligent wireless locksets and door controllers. The system is invaluable in case of an intruder, intruder with a weapon, fire, or other emergency.” Williams said protecting resident privacy
is more important now than ever for secu- rity purposes. “Residents can request their names and
phone numbers to be withheld from com- munity lists,” he said. “We have added walking paths that are
handicapped accessible within the fenced grounds of our campus to protect their safety. The major driver outside of improved health is that vagrants have become a problem with recent court decisions. We observe and re- port vagrant activity to the local police who are quick to respond and seem to be trained to encourage the vagrants to move on. We fully prosecute anyone that trespasses on our property. It is well known that our resi- dents store prescriptions that are in demand by drug abusers.” Williams said Fellowship Square’s prioritizing of its Wi-Fi system has allowed for new resident safety efforts. “Virtually every solution we have imple-
mented is only possible because years ago we installed and are constantly improving
our enterprise grade Wi-Fi system,” he said. “We were at one conference when resi-
dent technology was being discussed when a young-minded person of 85 said if you people think I am going to move into your dumb apartments from my smart home you’re crazy. Technology must include en- terprise grade Wi-Fi to make it effective, scalable and affordable.” Senior living has seen a move toward dig-
itization that includes emergency planning and preparedness, Breneman said. He said there are new companies that are viewing opportunities in the evolving senior care en- vironment, but not all of them understand “the multifaceted nature of our operations.” “Some of these companies have been of
assistance in creating digital records and training experiences related to emergency preparedness and planning,” Breneman said. “However, each location and its re- sources are unique.” The highly complex nature of senior liv-
ing means the integration of new technol- ogy solutions into other critical systems is not always possible, he said. “Strong consideration should be provided
for selection of not only e-call systems but more importantly notification panels, etc. as to how they can or cannot integrate or have interoperability with other platforms,” Breneman said. “The ambient technology market has expanded considerably but the understanding of how and who will operate these and to what systems they must connect is essential.”
covid sets new standards 3
Cell phones have become “a huge compo- nent” of emergency planning but do not always work in crisis situations, meaning it’s important to consider backup systems. “It makes it difficult during a pandemic
to respond to emergency situations when resources are not available – and will not come — and then everything falls to your team as well as your family members to sup- port and adjust to the situation in the best manner possible,” Breneman said. “I think COVID created an entire training situation
12 SENIOR LIVING EXECUTIVE JULY/AUGUST 2023
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