Technology Solutions for Pain Points in Senior Living TV Services
The senior living sector has experienced significant growth over recent years, with annual revenue increasing from $78.2 billion in 2016 to $94.2 billion in 2023. This upward trajectory underscores the industry’s expanding footprint and critical role in today’s healthcare and housing landscapes.
As the industry grows, so does the necessity for advanced senior living property technology. This integration is crucial for enhancing senior care facilities, ensuring they are more humane and environmentally responsible. However, this integration presents several challenges. At Allbridge, we focus on the pain points in senior living TV services and offer innovative solutions for community managers and staff for greater resident satisfaction.
Set-Top Boxes (STBs) / Receivers
Set-top boxes (STBs) or receivers decode and convert digital television signals from cable, satellite, or internet sources into a format that traditional television screens can display. The complexity of these devices can sometimes pose usability issues, especially for the less technologically adept. However, various tools are available to simplify the use of TV services for seniors.
Multiple Remotes Confuse Older Adults
Many cable companies require a separate receiver for each TV in the household or facility, pairing each television with its own remote control. While this setup is intended to provide a personalized and comprehensive viewing experience, it inadvertently introduces additional complexity for older adults.
Managing multiple remote controls can be particularly challenging for older adults, as it requires them to remember which remote corresponds to which television and how to work each one effectively. The proliferation of remotes can lead to confusion and frustration, potentially detracting from the overall enjoyment of their TV service.
Frequent Resets Needed
STBs often require frequent resets to resolve technical issues such as signal loss, frozen screens, or unresponsive interfaces. These resets can be particularly frustrating for residents who may struggle to understand the service interruption or how to perform the reset procedure themselves. For the senior living provider's Maintenance Director and their team, the need for frequent resets consumes valuable time that they could spend on other essential maintenance tasks or resident care.
Each reset request requires a visit to the resident’s room, identification of the problem, and execution of the reset process. This repetitive cycle burdens the staff and indirectly affects the operational efficiency within the senior living facility.
At Allbridge, our service does not require a receiver or a special remote control. The absence of a dedicated receiver significantly reduces the number of technical issues, keeping the hassle of navigating multiple devices or performing technical resets at bay. By using modern technology, we further minimize the need for frequent resets, enhancing the overall user experience.
High Costs
While senior care facilities with adequate property technology present many advantages, it inevitably comes with substantial costs, with one third of the financial burden often falling on residents. These costs can stem from initial installation, ongoing maintenance, and regular upgrades to keep the technology current and functional. The financial burden often falls on the facility management and, by extension, can affect a resident’s monthly fees.
Perception of Overpaying
Senior residents and their families can feel they are paying too much for TV services because the high service fees contrast with the actual usage and satisfaction with the provided service. The bundled nature of TV services means residents pay a flat rate regardless of how much or how little they use it.
This option can be particularly frustrating for those who prefer alternative streaming options or do not watch TV often. The lack of flexibility in pricing and the perceived lack of transparency around where their money may exacerbate these frustrations, leading to widespread dissatisfaction and financial burden. Embracing new, smart technologies, such as streaming services and smart devices, could offer more cost-effective and satisfying alternatives.
Variable Pricing
Actual costs for TV services in senior communities can vary based on the size of the facility, the number of residents, and the specific features and channels included in the package. Management must obtain a custom quote to find savings that standard packages might overlook.
A custom quote from Allbridge allows for negotiating flexible terms and possibly including value-added services, such as premium channels or on-demand options, without significantly increasing costs.
Unreliable Providers
TV service providers are crucial in shaping the entertainment landscape within senior living communities. These experts are responsible for offering content that caters to residents’ tastes and preferences. They must also guarantee reliable service with minimal disruptions. Lastly, consistent reception and quality customer support must be paramount. Unfortunately, not all providers deliver on their promises, raising concerns about online safety and the need for secure services for seniors.
Lack of Support
When issues like signal loss, broken equipment, or difficulty accessing specific channels arise, some TV service providers fail to offer prompt and effective customer service, leaving management and residents helpless. This lack of support erodes residents’ trust and satisfaction. Consequently, it is essential for communities to carefully evaluate a provider’s customer support reputation before committing to a long-term contract. Additionally, the importance of technology training for seniors cannot be overstated, as it helps them use social media like Facebook to connect with family and friends and combat loneliness and isolation.
Allbridge distinguishes itself from other TV service providers by offering unparalleled support 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. We promptly and effectively address issues, no matter the time of day. By leveraging a dedicated support team that is accessible through multiple channels, help is always available.
Limited Channel Selection
Senior living residents come from diverse backgrounds and have varying preferences for television programming. A broad variety of channels ensures that each resident can find something to enjoy, and it is a valuable tool for social interaction and engagement. However, not all TV service providers offer diversity in channels, which is crucial for helping residents stay connected with their loved ones and communities.
Rigid Channel Lineups
Many cable companies offer fixed channel lineups, which can limit the viewing options available to residents. This rigidity means that residents have no say in the channels they receive and are often left with a selection that does not match their interests and preferences. Such inflexibility can lead to dissatisfaction, as residents may find themselves missing out on content that is important to them. Embracing new technologies can provide flexible and diverse programming options, ensuring that residents have access to content that aligns with their interests and preferences.
Customizable Options
Only flexibility can enhance individual satisfaction and promote a richer, more engaging communal environment. Allbridge systems counteract the drawbacks of rigid channel lineups through highly customizable options tailored to meet the specific needs of each community. By allowing for personalized programming, residents are more likely to discover and enjoy content that can also foster shared experiences.
Addressing Common Objections
Addressing the pain points in senior living TV services highlights the competitive advantages of innovative TV solutions. According to the Pew Research Center, statistical findings show the benefits of advanced TV services in enhancing the quality of life for seniors. With Allbridge, you can handle the costs and concerns of senior living technology solutions through our comprehensive options.
Enhancing Community Value and Efficiency
Our TV solutions go beyond enhancing entertainment options for residents; they are about building value for the entire community. Personalization and choice often translate into higher occupancy rates and longer retention. Moreover, high-quality, adaptable TV services can serve as a compelling selling point to potential residents, setting a facility apart from competitors. Additionally, integrating alternative communication tools like Facebook Messenger can add significant value to the community.
Allbridge also increases efficiency in your maintenance operations. Adopting a more advanced and user-friendly system can drastically reduce the need for constant hands-on management of TV-related issues. Enhanced efficiency not only leads to smoother operations but also helps support a high standard of living for residents.
While competitors may offer cheaper solutions, consider the level of support they provide. High-quality support can be a game-changer for senior living facilities, where timely assistance and reliable service are paramount. Investing in a provider with exceptional support like Allbridge can ultimately save time and resources, making it a wise long-term decision to maintain the overall quality and functionality of your community’s TV solutions.
Dish-Based TV Service Concerns and Technology Training
Allbridge's dish-based systems often have higher uptime than traditional cable systems. Satellite technology provides consistent and uninterrupted service regardless of geographical location. Moreover, modern dish-based systems have backup capabilities to manage and mitigate potential downtimes, further reinforcing their reliability.
However, cable services use a large satellite at their hub to receive signals, like dish-based systems. This method ensures that the signal starts with the same high quality. However, in the case of cable services, the signal must travel through a maze of ground-based infrastructure, which can degrade its quality before reaching the end-user.
Signal amplification is standard in cable services, boosting the signal multiple times before it finally reaches the property. While this process is necessary to cover large distances and guarantee that the signal can travel through the network of cables, it can potentially reduce the signal quality.
Each amplification stage can introduce noise and distortions, which may result in a less clear picture for the end-user. Furthermore, the equipment used for amplification can degrade over time, leading to signal strength and quality inconsistencies. Allbridge's dish-based system keeps signal integrity by delivering it directly from the satellite to the property, eliminating the need for extensive transmission over land and multiple amplification stages. This direct approach preserves the broadcast's original quality, giving residents 100% crisp, crystal-clear picture and sound. We provide the superior entertainment quality that your residents need and deserve.
Allbridge Technology Solutions
At Allbridge, we tackle the pain points in senior living TV services head-on by providing comprehensive solutions and powerful tools. If you are ready to upgrade your senior living property technology, our team is here to help. Learn more about how we serve the senior living industry and get a free quote for our solutions.
