CALA News & Views | Issue 53 | CALA at 30

O ver the past three decades, the tools have changed, but the commitment hasn’t. Here’s a look at how technology has shaped – and continues to shape – Assisted Living in five important areas. Resident Care & Health Monitoring Thirty years ago, we relied heavily on direct observation and written documentation to track how residents were doing. Care was responsive, but often reactive – based on what we could see or what residents reported. Today, many communities use passive monitoring tools and wearable devices that quietly gather data on movement, sleep and even vital signs. These tools give us early warning signs when something’s not quite right. Telehealth – unthinkable back then – is now a reliable way to connect residents with primary care providers and specialists, without the disruption of leaving the building. The biggest win? Spotting changes earlier and responding sooner – supporting better outcomes and helping residents stay where they’re most comfortable: at home in the community. Medication Management If you’ve been in this field a while, you’ll remember the wall to-wall binders of medication administration records, and the painstaking work of triple-checking handwritten orders. Technology has taken a lot of the guesswork – and the paperwork – out of the equation. Electronic medication administration records (eMARs), barcoded scanning and automated refill systems help ensure the right medication gets to the right resident at the right time. And with pharmacy integration, staff are no longer chasing down faxes or playing phone tag to clarify prescriptions. This is about more than efficiency – it’s about safety, reliability and peace of mind for families, residents and staff alike. Family Communication & Engagement There was a time when families had to call the front desk or wait for care conferences to find out how their loved one was doing. Today, digital platforms and family portals provide real-time updates, photos and even access to activity calendars. Many communities offer secure messaging, virtual visits and regular digital updates, helping families feel more involved and reassured – especially when they live far away or can’t visit often. This shift toward transparency and collaboration has strengthened relationships and trust, especially during challenging times like the pandemic. Staff Support & Training The last 30 years have brought a new understanding of just how critical our workforce is – and how technology can support them, not replace them. From mobile scheduling tools to on-demand training modules, we’ve seen a shift in how frontline staff engage with their work. They can now access continuing education from a smartphone, check schedules in real time and communicate with team

members instantly. These tools help reduce burnout, improve flexibility and support retention – key priorities in a sector that continues to face workforce challenges. When staff feel more supported and equipped, residents benefit. Safety & Emergency Preparedness We’ve come a long way from wall-mounted pull cords and handwritten disaster plans. Today’s safety systems are smarter, more responsive and better integrated. Machine vision cameras, motion sensors, smart lighting, door alerts and geofencing help reduce risk while supporting resident independence. Emergency notification platforms allow us to communicate quickly and clearly with staff, residents and families during power outages, wildfires or other urgent events – a vital capability in California. Technology can’t eliminate risk, but it can help us manage it more thoughtfully and proactively. Looking Ahead As we look ahead to the next 30 years, we can begin to imagine a future where buildings themselves play a more active role in care. What if the environment could be a proactive member of the caregiving team? With greater interoperability across platforms, smarter passive monitoring and seamless communication among systems, we’re edging closer to that vision. We can envision buildings that learn from patterns of resident behavior, adjust lighting or temperature automatically, and alert staff before a risk becomes a reality. In this model, the physical environment becomes intuitive and responsive – not just for those who live there, but also for those who work there. This evolution – from technology as a tool to the building as a caregiver – could transform how we deliver care, prevent issues and support both quality of life and workforce sustainability. and intentionality of use. And we must keep our eyes on the policies and funding opportunities that will make sustained progress possible. As technology becomes more central to care and operations, we’ll need to advocate for resources that support not only implementation, but also ongoing training, maintenance and upgrades. Ensuring equitable access to these tools – regardless of community size or location – will be key to making technology work for everyone. Technology should never overshadow the human connection at the heart of Assisted Living. Instead, it should help us do what we’ve always done – just with more clarity, responsiveness and confidence. Artificial intelligence is transforming the world as we know it. Applying these powerful tools requires clear purpose

Congratulations to CALA on 30 years of service and stewardship! Cheers! g

Liz Jensen, PhD, MSN, is clinical director of Direct Supply Innovation & Technology Center @MSOE.

CALA NEWS & VIEWS I ISSUE 53 | AUGUST 2025 22