The Converged Blog

It is clear that a multitude of industries have been turned on their heads this year. According to Stanford research, 42 percent of the U.S. labor force is now working from home full-time. In fact, another 33 percent are not working, leaving only 26 percent, mostly essential service workers, working on site. In addition to telecommuting, many are using virtual means to stay safely connected to friends and family as well. This historic shift to working and socializing from home was critical to prioritize health and safety, and led to a technological boom – with people from all walks of life learning to use tools like Zoom for the first time, from 8 years old to 80 years old.

Organizations across all industries are increasingly running analytics to accomplish a number of tasks, including informing decision-making, improving the customer experience, and figuring out which products to bring to market.

Many U.S. states have started to relax coronavirus restrictions, but older adults are advised to continue sheltering in place, as they are some of the most vulnerable to the virus. While some senior living communities have chosen to allow visitors, the vast majority continue with strict no-visitor rules. While this is the best way to keep residents safe, the loneliness has taken a toll on many.

Not too long ago, a high-speed Internet connection wasn’t a top priority for senior living communities. Fast-forward to today, and senior living communities are seeing reliable Internet become more important than ever. As COVID-19 continues to be a concern for seniors, staying virtually connected to loved ones is a necessity. Additionally, communities are seeing more move-ins from Baby Boomers and members of Generation X—and these groups are much more technologically inclined.

The Hospitality industry has spent the past two months in a state of uncertainty. With travel restrictions and social distancing measures in full force, hotels watched occupancy levels decline – with many hotels closing entirely. Some repurposed their space to house the homeless or frontline workers, and others became quarantine sites.

Technology usage is growing among older adults, and has certainly had a big impact on senior living operations and its residents.

The outbreak of COVID-19 this year shows just how important it is for seniors to have the ability to stay virtually connected to loved ones. Solutions such as television systems and building-wide managed Wi-Fi can’t be overlooked, as they deliver much needed entertainment and connectivity for residents.

The evolution of the Internet of Things (IoT) has also brought us voice recognition solutions, safety sensors, and smart home technology for security cameras and thermostats. These applications can provide users with more freedom and a higher quality of life, making the senior living environment better for both residents and operators. Additionally, older adults are continuing to adopt more devices like smartphones and smart speakers.

Many healthcare IT leaders are also looking ahead to increasing numbers of Baby Boomers retiring and seeking to prepare to match their expectations for a connected technology experience. 

Based off recent research completed by AARP, we've put together this comprehensive infographic on growing technology trends for adults 50+.

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.