The last few weeks have taken all of us for quite a wild ride. America has been through other pandemics, terrorist attacks, and recent wars, but nothing has completely shifted our way of life like COVID-19 in recent history. The worldwide pandemic has brought our country to a near halt and put immense pressure on our nation’s healthcare system, and our readiness for this situation.
Life in the United States has changed dramatically since the outbreak of the novel COVID-19. The first reported case in the U.S. was in Washington state on January 21st, 2020, which affected a U.S. citizen who had recently flown home from Wuhan. On January 30th, the Word Health Organization (WHO) named COVID-19 an international public health emergency, and on Friday, March 13th, President Trump declared the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States a national emergency. State officials began announcing school closures, while many workers, including Allbridge employees, were directed to begin social distancing practices by working remotely from home.
One of the most impacted during the COVID-19 crisis is the Healthcare industry. As the effects spread in the U.S., hospitals nationwide are becoming overwhelmed, with shortages of space, necessary equipment, and supplies. Senior Living communities, on the other hand, are doing as much as possible to limit interaction with the public, as their residents are some of the most vulnerable to the life-threatening virus.
Television is still very relevant in the Hospitality industry for a simple reason: You need video services to make your guests feel comfortable. Even if that content isn’t delivered over traditional cable wires, guests still enjoy television programming—even as over-the-top (OTT) disruptors like Netflix have shaken up the industry.
That said, not every hotel television solution is alike.
As the manager of a senior living property or skilled nursing facility, you’re focused on doing everything you can to ensure your residents are comfortable in your community. One of the more streamlined ways to accomplish that is to offer your residents television services that mimic the experiences they’ve grown accustomed to in recent years.
The rise of the Internet and the proliferation of high-speed networks have transformed the way people watch television and movies—and, by extension, have changed the way they consume content at hotels and other Hospitality properties. Thanks to the emergence of over-the-top (OTT) content and on demand streaming solutions, people can watch shows and movies at their own convenience, instead of relying on hardware technology such as a VCR or DVR.
As the manager of a property in the Hospitality or Healthcare industry, you’re focused on delivering great experiences to every person who passes through your doors. One of the best ways you can do that is by investing in up-to-date data, video, and voice solutions that give guests access to things they’ve grown accustomed to in recent years—such as Wi-Fi and over-the-top content.
Guests at Hospitality properties and residents at Senior Living communities increasingly expect up-to-date technology experiences. In an increasingly digitally connected world, people rely on their devices to carry out everyday tasks.
The addition of Wi-Fi services to senior living properties is quickly becoming more of a standard amenity and less of a diamond-in-the-rough offering. Many Healthcare properties offer Wi-Fi to their residents, either to drive competitive advantage or as an opportunity to upsell them on additional services.
Technology has disrupted many industries over the last decade. Amazon, eBay, and many other online retailers have experienced tremendous growth in the use of e-commerce, leading to the reduction of traditional brick-and-mortar stores. Uber and Lyft have dominated market share over the traditional taxi cab industry. Airbnb and VRBO are changing how vacations and reservations are booked, and streaming services like Netflix and Hulu have uprooted the video rental industry.