Technology has significantly altered the way we live and communicate, and this holds true for residents in senior living communities, especially at Ingleside.
With an amplified focus on digital transformation, Ingleside has adapted and customized technologies such as AI dining and cleaning robots, and voice-recognition devices like Alexa, to enhance senior living for residents. These innovations allow residents to remain digitally savvy and current – with the big upside of maintaining independence. The priority placed on technology learning demonstrates Ingleside’s firm commitment to adapting to today’s modern digital trends.
“Digital transformation is a journey, not a destination,” said Dusanka Delovska-Trajkova, Chief Information Officer at Ingleside. “Throughout our communities, Ingleside remains committed to helping residents age well by leveraging tech platforms to meet them where they are and to ensure they stay current and engaged.”
Through strategic alliances with leading tech organizations such as Cubigo, a cloud-based, integrated platform for senior living communities, Ingleside is proud to be leading the way in implementing accessible and user-friendly technologies that augment hands-on living and enhance the quality of life for residents.
Streamlining Communications with Residents
Ingleside’s Cultural Arts and Events teams work hard to offer residents engaging programs based on resident interest and feedback and foster a more social environment. Having reliable communication methods and streamlined processes for registration is increasingly important to ensure residents are in the know and can participate and sign up for programs.
All three of Ingleside’s communities have integrated the use of Cubigo’s digital scheduling platform to assist with keeping track of registration updates from residents. This process has enhanced Ingleside’s Cultural Arts and Events teams’ ability to keep track of resident cancellations and community event sign-ups.
Resident Tech Support: Ingleside Removes the Barriers
According to a recent study from McKinsey Health Institute, one of the largest barriers to technology adoption for seniors is a lack of knowledge. In senior living communities, technology support is essential in helping residents, who may not otherwise be familiar with the use of smart devices, and who may require a better understanding of how to access important services, activities, and information on digital platforms. This includes helping folks to navigate the digital platforms and technology used to view community events and classes, schedule appointments, purchase groceries, and pay bills.
At the Ingleside at King Farm community in Rockville, Maryland, resident volunteers have jumped right in to help lead the service group called the “Resident Tech Help Team.” The award-winning team was recognized in the 2023 McKnight’s Tech Awards and has helped bring tech support to fellow residents using a system of dispatchers and specialized helpers to assist with computers, televisions, cell phones, and other smart devices. In late 2023, the help team crossed the milestone of helping 1000 residents.
“When implementing the rollout of Cubigo in the community, Ingleside conducted weeks of onsite training so that residents could learn how to access the app and all of its capabilities,” said Liz Keller, Resident Technology Engagement Manager at Ingleside. “Resident volunteers were essential in this process, providing feedback on the platform’s usability to ensure its functionality tailored to each community’s specific needs.”
Enhancing Resident Engagement with Voice Technology and AI
Ingleside has successfully leveraged AI and machine learning, turning to the use of robots to improve operations and enhance the resident experience. One example of this is Ingleside’s incorporation of dining and cleaning robots across each community, which are being used to support team members with repetitive tasks such as delivering meals and removing used dishes in and out of the kitchen. This implementation not only gives the dining staff more time to engage with residents during meals, but also leaves room for fewer complications with food order accuracy and meal wait times.
Whether through the use of AI robots in Ingleside communities’ dining rooms or personal voice assistant technology such as Amazon's Echo, both voice and video-based technologies used throughout each of Ingleside’s senior living communities equip residents with the ability to access information on demand and connecting with others using a friendly, helpful artificial intelligence aid.
Through these technologies, Ingleside is able to provide a customizable experience, further driving resident engagement and additional support for those with cognitive disabilities such as dementia and Alzheimer’s.
Technological Innovation for Resident Satisfaction
Ingleside’s technology adoption experience mirrors that of many providers who have relied on digital tools to solve complex communications and operational challenges. Across its communities, the senior living provider has seen tremendous improvements when it comes to resident engagement, as a result of their updated digital transformation efforts.
Last Fall, Ingleside received three Bronze Awards in the 2023 McKnight’s Excellence in Technology Awards to celebrate outstanding innovation in the use of technology across several categories. The prestigious national program annually honors senior living providers who convey how technology has improved care and operations in their organizations.
To continue the momentum of excellence in technology innovation, Ingleside’s communities remain dedicated to client satisfaction, providing digital solutions to meet residents where they are both in technological comfort and confidence.