Technology has the power to makes lives easier, safer, more engaging and more enjoyable. Masonic Villages has partnered with K4Connect, a technology company focused on serving and empowering older adults and individuals living with disabilities, to roll out new options which bring the latest technology directly to residents’ fingertips.
Test Pilot
In April 2016, 40 residents at the Masonic Village at Elizabethtown participated in a pilot to test K4Connect’s home automation features (light switches, thermostats, pedometers, motion sensors, etc.) controlled through mobile devices. Participants included those who were computer savvy and those who have never owned a computer.
During a second pilot in early 2017, 148 residents tested a portal, a specially designed application that serves as a single point of access for dining menus, campus news and updates, event calendars, games, photo/video sharing and more. It is accessible through tablets and desktop computers.
Based on input shared during the pilots, K4Connect has customized the options for Masonic Villages’ residents. Linda Graham and Bryan Hill shared the benefits of this portal in a recent video:
What to Expect
The new options will be rolled out in stages. Steps include installing broadband internet access throughout Masonic Villages’ Dallas, Elizabethtown, Lafayette Hill and Sewickley campuses and providing residents a catalog of home automation options.
Options will include light switches and thermostats which can be programmed and controlled through any mobile device, motion sensors with light activation, and safety features such as sensors that alert staff when an individual has not moved throughout the day. New options will be continuously tested, providing the latest technology.
Staff will continue to provide updates and more specifics as the project progresses.
“Residents will be able to connect to others, easily control their home environment and feel peace of mind knowing, if needed, options are available to help them live independently for as long as possible,” said Joseph E. Murphy, chief executive officer. “Our goal is to offer an affordable and seamless communication and technology package for all residents’ convenience and comfort.”
Masonic Village staff shared the importance of involving residents and staff in the process of choosing a technology package and rolling it out with LeadingAge.