Harder said that her team uses virtual reality with residents.
“This helps give them the feeling of being somewhere else. We can take them to the house they grew up in, to the Eiffel Tower, or anywhere they want to go,” she noted, adding, “Afterwards, they have better motor skills, gait, and alertness.” Commonwealth also uses a family engagement platform that lets
family send photos and videos that can be stored in a database and shared with residents. Harder said, “This was particularly great during the pandemic as it gave people an opportunity to interact and engage with their loved ones.” Tech also helps attract and keep good staff. “Having updated
technology has helped staff engage residents so they can handle other tasks residents enjoy activities and recreation.” Some com- munities are using robots to deliver things like meals or birthday cakes. While these aren’t substitutes for human interaction, they free staff for more effective staff interaction and engagement. When it comes to technological innovations in memory care,
Frantz said, “We need to look 5-10 years down the road and think about the kinds of technology residents will want and need; and we have to make sure our communities have the infrastructure to accommodate these and continue to be cutting-edge.” Harder agreed, observing, “Being proactive with the most ad-
vanced technology is important. We have to think about future residents. We are seeing a younger demographic that has more advanced tech abilities and not only want but expect innovative devices and the ability to easily use their devices.” Check your thoughts and beliefs about technology, Harder sug-
gests. Keep an open mind and scour resources for information about your options. Request demos and compare and contrast products.
“Look at your population and think about what they need to
enhance their quality of life. Ask them and use their feedback to cross-reference products. And, finally, make sure any company you partner with offers adequate service and support. This is all signifi- cant,” she said, because “everyone in senior living is looking for the new hot-ticket item that will attract residents to our communities. Everyone needs to be thinking about it.” Reiners noted, “What I’ve seen recently is organizations adopt-
ing technology packages and using different devices and innova- tions together. We need to work together as an industry to create solutions that work for communities and residents.”
Memory Care and Design Just like memory care units need specific processes, technology, and staff training, they also need a design that appeals to residents. Charla Goss, an interior designer at Pi Architects in Austin, Texas, said, “For memory care, we try to create an environment that is as homelike as possible. We don’t want to overuse accessories that people might break or move; and we try to focus on items that are more durable – such as wooden bowls instead of ceramics.” While abstract and modern art may have a place in independent
or assisted living, Goss notes that they try to use art in memory care that is more realistic, bucolic, calming, and relatable. “We also use some audio art, where you push a button, and the picture makes a sound – such as birds chirping or a song playing.” While locked, secured doors may be an unavoidable part of
memory care units, Goss stressed that they downplay these doors and have hallways that lead people to secure indoor and outdoor spaces. She stressed that the secure outdoor spaces and access to lots of natural light are essential to memory care residents.
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