Lifespace Communities, a LeadingAge member headquartered in Des Moines, IA, is attracting attention for its plans to launch a technology makeover in 2017, as part of its goal to attract Baby Boomers. Senior Housing News featured the initiative on Dec. 5, 2016.
Lifespace Communities is the nation’s ninth-largest senior living provider, with 12 continuing care retirement communities across seven states. It anticipates that within the next three to five years, its potential residents will bring with them an increasing level of technological savvy—and an expectation for Lifespace to keep up.
“Historically we have been focused on operational issues like keeping the lights on and fixing desktop computers,” John Couture, vice president of information technology, told Senior Housing News. “But this year we’ve started to focus our efforts on more strategic initiatives like things that will position Lifespace for growth as well as the tech-savvy baby boomers who are coming in in the next three to five years,” he added.
As a result, Lifespace is planning substantial technology upgrades, not just for its operations, but for its residents’ use. This year, Lifespace has expanded Wi-Fi to resident apartments, increased the speed of connectivity in common areas, and introduced new phone technology that sends voice data over the Internet. New digital bulletin boards are paired with the Touchtown Community App, so that residents can read the bulletin board messages throughout the buildings or on their phones and tablets.
What’s Next for 2017
Next year, Lifespace will navigate through two roadmaps: One for updating corporate IT solutions and applications, and one for resident technology.
On the 2017 resident menu are health center technologies that help prevent falls and manage medications, as well as a chat feature for residents. New technology also will enable residents to control various items in their apartments remotely—temperatures, TVs, and even the kitchen sink.
To help residents take advantage of these new capabilities, Lifespace has bought 73 tablets for two Lifespace communities through Lifespace Foundation grants. It hopes to expand the grants to all locations in the future.
“As more residents become regular users of devices such as iPads, it increases their connections with family members through texts, emails and social media such as Facebook,” Couture said in the article. “The demand for technology in retirement communities will only increase as more members of the baby boomer generation retire.”