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8 Robots and drones Pandemic shapes adoption 10 Trends Tech use balloons since outbreak 16 Manager’s Toolboxes Harnessing technology in 2 critical areas A different kind of virus COVID-19 speeds provider adoption of telehealth, other types of tech Thank you to our everyday heroes. By any measure, these are extraordinary times. We at McKnight’s hope that you, your loved ones and your business associates remain safe and well. We’d like to express our profound gratitude to all the medical professionals, caregivers and other essential workers keeping our loved ones and communities safe during this crisis. Our publications, webinars, e-newsletters and other oerings are here to help. We will do our level best to make them as meaningful, relevant and useful as possible. What we know about people in this sector is that they are remarkably resilient. Many have dealt with challenging economic, regulatory and competitive times before — and have always emerged stronger for the experience. Above all, know this: We will get through this together. Be strong and stay safe. TECHNOLOGY: CHANGING THE FUTURE McKnight’s Tech Awards open for entries he 2020 McKnight’s Excellence in Technology Awards program is now Topen for nominations. Entries will be accepted through July 24. The competition features two tracks — one for senior living, and one for skilled nursing — with six categories each. “Chances are more than good that your organization is harnessing several tech tools to make life better for those you serve,” said John O’Connor, editorial director of McKnight’s Senior Living and McKnight’s Long-Term Care News, “and as long as you are already doing that, why not get rewarded for the effort?” The annual contest recognizes providers that convey how technology — simple or advanced — has improved care and opera- tions in their organizations. Categories in the senior living track include Quality, High- Tech/High-Touch, Innovator of the Year, of Activities. Entries must be submitted by of the program this year. MatrixCare is the Keep It Super Simple, Safety, and Activities. senior living and skilled nursing provider Gold sponsor for the senior living track. Categories in the skilled nursing track are organizations. For more information, visit mcknights the same, except Transitions takes the place Stanley Healthcare is the Platinum sponsor techawards.com. ■ More embracing EHRs, “This report provides the most The project relies on a “nation- ter where they are in develop- HIEs, study finds recent national description of al COVID-19 testing challenge,” ment,” the agency noted. More assisted living operators EHR use and computerized in which scientists and inven- are harnessing electronic health support for health informa- tors developing coronavirus Older adults like email, record systems and participating tion exchange among a major tests across the country will looking up weather in health information exchang- provider of community-based compete for a share of a $500 An AARP survey provides es, according to a report from long-term services and sup- million pool earmarked for insights into technology use by the Centers for Disease Control ports — residential care,” the diagnostic development. Suc- those in their 70s. and Prevention’s National Cen- authors said. cessful entrants will get paired A total of 2,607 people aged ter for Health Statistics. with manufacturers and busi- 50 or more years participated in Communities using EHRs Initiative may quicken ness leaders who can speed up the AARP’s online “2020 Tech increased to 26% from 20% COVID-19 testing production of resulting tests. and the 50+ Survey,” and 781 between 2012 and 2016, noted The National Institutes of “Shark Tank” is a television of them were aged 70 or more “Trends in Electronic Health Health has unveiled a $1.5 bil- program in which capital-seek- years. Record Use Among Residen- lion “Shark Tank-like” initiative ing entrepreneurs pitch business Sixty-two percent of those tial Care Communities.” Inves- to rapidly develop coronavirus partnerships to a panel of ve aged 70 or more years reported tigators also found that health diagnostics. The effort could investors, or “sharks.” using smartphones in 2019. Of information exchange capacity lead to the deployment of “mil- “We need all innovators, from them, 88% said they use them among communities increased lions of tests per week” by late the basement to the boardroom, daily. to 55% from 47.2% during summer or fall, the agency to come together to advance Forty percent of respondents those years. claims. diagnostic technologies, no mat- in this age group said they use www.mcknightsseniorliving.com • www.mcknights.com • June 2020 • Technology: Changing the Future 3 TECHNOLOGY: CHANGING THE FUTURE tablet computers. Of them, 61% so-called virtual assistants said they use them daily. increasingly are used by senior Among the older adults who living and care residents either own smartphones or tablets, the on their own or as technology most popular uses were looking integrated into other systems up the weather (69%), sending used at their communities. email (67%), using the internet Now, through a partnership (56%), looking at photos (55%) with First Databank, residents and using social media (50%). and others are able to access Fifty percent of the older drug information through Alexa respondents who own smart- queries. phones or tablets said they A subset of FDB’s drug infor- use social media at least once mation, used for more than 40 a week. Photo: Amazon.com,Inc. years by healthcare profession- Amazon’s Alexa and other so-called virtual assistants increasingly are By far, the most popular types used by senior living and care residents either on their own or as technology als, now can be accessed by con- of social media used by those integrated into other systems used at their communities. sumers from any Alexa-enabled aged 70 or more years were device. Facebook (59%) and YouTube Individuals are able to ask (23%). “Older individuals who use the internet about drug interactions, side The next most popular form effects, precautions and a drug’s of social media, Instagram, was to seek health-related information class in English and Spanish. used by only 8% of the older experienced improved outcomes.” Examples of some common respondents, and 31% of people medication-related queries that Journal of Applied Gerontology authors in this age group reported not Alexa now will answer: using social media at all. In fact, Facebook and You- found that internet use among of the internet as a means of • “Alexa, what type of drug is Tube, by far, also were the most those aged 60 or more years sharing information, and given ibuprofen?” popular types of social media increased from 60.2% to 66.4% older adults’ greater need for • “Alexa, what are the side used by those in their 50s and from 2011 to 2016. health information.” effects of sertraline?” 60s who took the survey, with “When it comes to specific “Studies report that older • “Alexa, does Zoloft interact Instagram ranking in a distant sociodemographic subgroups,” individuals who use the inter- with Aleve?” third place for them as well. however, they said, “the sig- net to seek health-related infor- • “Alexa, what’s the difference Only 37% of those aged 70 nificant increases in internet mation experienced improved between Tylenol and Advil? or more years said they used use between 2011 and 2016 outcomes with respect to their social media daily to stay con- were observed among those knowledge of health issues, “People lead busy lives, and nected with friends and family who were young-old [60 to 74], health communication with voice provides a simple way to members. old-old [75 to 84], female, and medical professionals, and get helpful information about non-Hispanic whites, and those appropriate use of health ser- medications, including side Study finds ‘digital divide’ with high school graduation or vices,” they said. effects and drug interactions, with internet use above.” “In addition, numerous stud- for themselves and the people Some older adults may be miss- That is, statistically signi cant ies report other benefits for they care for,” FDB President ing out on the health and well- increases were not seen among older adults of using the inter- Bob Katter said. ness benefits that can result the “oldest-old” (aged 85 or net such as improving interper- “This information will from internet use, according to more years), men, those who had sonal interactions, promoting complement advice from their the results of a newly published not graduated from high school, better cognitive functioning, medical and pharmacy teams. study, which noted a “digital and racial/ethnic groups other and enhancing their experience Ultimately, we believe that more divide.” than white. of control and independence.” informed consumers will lead Researchers analyzed data Findings, published in the to improved medication adher- from 107,500 older adults who Journal of Applied Gerontology, Drug info now accessible ence, the reduction of adverse participated in the California are important, according to the via Alexa queries drug events and better patient Health Interview Survey and authors, “given the importance Amazon’s Alexa and other outcomes,” he added. ■ 4 Technology: Changing the Future • June 2020 • www.mcknights.com • www.mcknightsseniorliving.com TECHNOLOGY: CHANGING THE FUTURE Tablets to the rescue Devices facilitate family communication when in-person visits aren’t possible By Lois A. Bowers enior living communities and nursing facilities got Screative to keep the lines of communication open when safety guidelines were issued and shelter-in-place orders went into effect across the country this spring. No-visitor poli- cies prevented residents from interacting with loved ones, and social distancing recommenda- tions restricted in-community activities that could take place.