In this featured piece by HealthTech Magazine, the outlet examines how senior care organizations across the country have accelerated network upgrades since the pandemic to support tech-savvy residents and improve clinical workflows. The article profiles Enlivant, Eskaton, and St. Mark Village, detailing how each organization expanded Wi-Fi coverage, standardized on Cisco Meraki equipment, and enabled new services like electronic health record access at the point of care and iPad-based check-in kiosks. At St. Mark Village in Florida, Dylan Fresh, the technology director, upgraded the network’s firewalls, switches, and access points, and the article notes that InformaCast Fusion supports reliable Internet of Things-based mass communication for emergencies at the community. The piece also outlines best practices for a smoother network upgrade, including starting with small pilots and engaging resident ambassadors.
Key Takeaways
- Senior care organizations including Enlivant, Eskaton, and St. Mark Village accelerated network upgrades during the pandemic to support tech-savvy residents and improved clinical workflows.
- At St. Mark Village in Florida, technology director Dylan Fresh upgraded the network’s firewalls, switches, and access points, standardizing on Cisco Meraki equipment.
- InformaCast Fusion supports reliable Internet of Things-based mass communication for emergencies at St. Mark Village, according to the article.
- St. Mark Village’s network upgrade also enabled other improvements, including videoconferencing for residents during lockdowns and iPad kiosks for visitor health screening.
- Seventy-two percent of adults in their 70s rely on technology to stay connected, according to AARP research cited in the article.
Original Story
The pandemic may have accelerated network upgrades in senior care, but providers see long-term benefits, especially as their clientele becomes increasingly tech savvy. Pervasive Wi-Fi, supported by robust network management tools, sets a foundation for strategic improvements for staff, residents and overall operations.
That proved to be the case for Enlivant, headquartered in Chicago and serving 214 independent, assisted living and memory care communities in 27 states. CIO Justin Sheppard was still in the first 90 days of his role when the pandemic hit in 2020, adding new urgency to plans to upgrade and refresh Wi-Fi throughout the Enlivant portfolio.
Connecting residents with their families during extended COVID-19 lockdowns was a primary driver for the project. But there was also a business need, as lockdowns curtailed in-person tours that are vital for prospective residents. Enlivant shifted to virtual tours via Zoom and other video conferencing platforms, Sheppard says, but “it was pretty evident early on that the Wi-Fi in many of our communities wasn’t sufficient to support a virtual tour.”