LeadingAge members walked away with half of the awards during October’s Excellence in Technology competition. McKnight's Long-Term Care News and American HealthTech sponsored the national awards program to recognize notable uses of technology in senior living communities.
LeadingAge members who earned awards were:
Quality Awards
Mather LifeWays took the top award in the competition’s Quality through Technology category, which recognized a facility/community that harnesses technology to improve the level of care its residents receive.
The organization’s Observing Quality of Life in Dementia (OQOLD) initiative helps professional caregivers assess the quality of life of persons with dementia based on observations they make during a variety of activities.
The Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society, a CAST member, took the Bronze Award in the Quality category for its LivingWell@Home program. LivingWell@Home uses sensor technology, telehealth, personal emergency response systems and central data monitoring services to improve care delivery.
CAST featured Mather LifeWays and the Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society in its 2011 case study collection, PREPARING FOR THE FUTURE: Developing Technology-Enabled Long-Term Services and Supports for a New Population of Older Adults.
Dignity Awards
Sojourn Senior Living took home the Gold Award in the Dignity through Technology category, which recognized a facility/community that harnesses technology to improve the level of dignity its residents enjoy. The continuing care retirement community improved one resident’s mobility and fine motor skills by adding a driving simulator and a joystick to his motorized wheelchair.
Wabash Christian Retirement Center took home the Bronze Award in the Dignity category for its Internet-based menus. The menus help residents feel like they are dining in a restaurant.
High Tech/High Touch Awards
Boston's Chelsea Jewish Foundation won the top prize in the High Tech/High Touch category, which recognized technology that improves staff-resident interaction. Many residents of the foundation’s Leonard Florence Center have multiple sclerosis and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
They use facility-based eye-movement sensors to operate a laptop computer that helps them carry out daily activities like opening and closing motorized doors and window shades, controlling room lighting or temperature and changing television channels.
Attic Angel Place won the Silver Award in the High Tech/High Touch category. The CCRC created an Internet-based volunteer scheduling program.
Transitions Award
Maryland-based Asbury Communities received the Silver Award in the Transitions category for its use of electronic health records software. The Transitions category recognized an organization that harnesses technology to improve care transitions.