In the age of digital, senior service providers are increasingly searching for innovative ways to guide, educate, and empower their residents to make healthy changes in their daily behaviors. Part of this challenge is giving seniors the tools that can help them build ties to their communities and avoid loneliness. Recent studies have shown that social interaction plays a critical role in preserving the physical and mental health of our country's aging seniors; for example, loneliness, as a health risk factor, is twice as detrimental as being obese, and equal to the risk of smoking cigarettes and alcoholism.
To help combat loneliness among seniors, Intel-GE Care Innovations™ recently launched Care Innovations™ Connect, a wellness communication tool and social networking hub for senior communities. Through wellness surveys, medication compliance reminders, brain fitness games, residential community information and social networking tools, this new technology helps senior service providers and their older adult members proactively share information and connect with one another to build communities.
Recent data shows that one of the biggest obstacles to successful care in senior living communities is the residents' lack of information about available social services. Connect overcomes this obstacle by proactively sharing information about available services, enabling seniors to better communicate and connect with one another.
As an example, Evangelical Homes of Michigan Connect currently utilizes Connect as part of their LifeChoice Solutions™ program, which serves older adults who live in their own homes. Connect has helped wellness coaches at Evangelical Homes of Michigan guide, educate, and empower older adults to make changes in their daily behaviors, which the company reports have led to significant improvements in well-being
It is more important than ever for senior service providers to preempt major health problems in their residents. By enabling seniors to live fuller, more socially connected lives, technology can play a critical role in strengthening seniors' ties to their communities.
Shannon McIntyre is the Communications Manager at Intel-GE Care Innovations.™
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