CALA News & Views | Issue 47 | Technology

Implemented by Eskaton and Oakmont Management Group Technology

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JANUARY 2010, VOLUME 1 14 CALIFORNIA ASSISTED LIVING ASSOCIATION ESKATON In 2017, Eskaton rolled out a technology platform that empowers residents and staff with technology to improve communication and connectedness. The initial rollout included a smart tablet and a resident and family app. Adoption rates of the tablet and app were mixed. Future rollouts included voice-enabled smart home solutions. These enhancements enable residents to control their environments using their voice or a smart device. Due to its success at the pilot community, the solution was scaled across all communities. Fast forward six years later; voice is part of everyday life for residents living at Eskaton. Eskaton credits its success because speaking feels more natural than interacting with other forms of technology, like the tablets we initially rolled out. Voice-first technology reduces the friction of technology adoption. Adoption of voice-first technology among residents continues to be between 50-75%. Voice assistants are not just a personal assistant, but also an assisted device that supports day-to-day living. Tasks like getting up to switch a light on or off or looking at the clock can be difficult for residents living with vision or mobility changes. Beyond resident engagement solutions, we leverage solutions to enhance care delivery. In early 2019, Eskaton rolled out a real-time fall detection solution using SafelyYou’s artificial intelligence enabled video recording system. SafelyYou plays an integral role in Eskaton's fall prevention program. With this innovative solution, our care teams have been able to individualize care, better understand why and how a person falls and implement proactive ways to reduce the likelihood of future falls during post fall HUDDLEs. Eskaton piloted the solution in three communities and based on success scaled the solution across all communities providing Assisted Living and dementia support. OAKMONT MANAGEMENT GROUP At Oakmont Management Group we have implemented a signature program of engagement technologies throughout our communities. Our program includes three main systems: IN2L (It's Never 2 Late), Eversound and Rendever. These platforms have been chosen for their ability to enhance overall engagement and well-being of our residents. IN2L is a versatile system that allows us to interact and engage residents across all levels of cognition. It enables us to eliminate physical hurdles such as auditory deficiencies and limited

range of motion. With IN2L, we can dive deeper into resident engagement by immersing them in worlds well beyond our four walls. It taps into their deepest long-term memories and serves as a bridge for communication, connecting them with multiple generations. Eversound is another valuable technology we have implemented. It addresses auditory deficiencies by providing personalized, high-quality audio experiences. This ensures that residents can fully participate and enjoy activities, even if they have hearing impairments. By improving audio clarity, Eversound enhances the overall engagement and enjoyment of our residents during group activities, presentations and entertainment events. Additionally, we have integrated Rendever, a virtual reality platform, into our program. Rendever allows residents to explore and experience virtual environments, which stimulates their senses and provides opportunities for meaningful engagement. By immersing residents in virtual experiences, we can take them on virtual tours, visit landmarks, or revisit places from their past, triggering memories and fostering connections. At Oakmont Management Group, we take great pride in the exceptional dining experience we offer to our residents. In line with our commitment to continuous improvement, we initiated a pilot program in select communities in 2022 in partnership with Bear Robotics. This pilot program introduces robotic servers to our dining rooms, aiming to enhance our dining experience even further. Although we are still in the early stages of implementing this technology, we are excited to share that the initial response from our residents and team members has been overwhelmingly positive.