New England College

Aging Services Project

Abstract

Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRC) offer Life Care for seniors who seek a âwellnessâ�? based and active lifestyle. Life care is the care offered to residents as their needs change over time. Levels of care include independent living, assisted living and skilled nursing home care. CCRC offer the resident an independent lifestyle, recreational opportunities, community involvement and medical care as needed. This project researches a specimen CCRC and relates its findings to research obtained from the all aging services providers. The typical size of CCRC facilities and the mobility of the residents and workforce present numerous challenges for rapid and efficient routine communication, medical and emergency communications. The thesis project researches wireless technology that will ameliorate these conditions.

CCRC management teams are continually seeking operational solutions to improve the quality of care and resident well-being. The specimen CCRC management team has identified that the existing and aged communications systems impedes operational process improvement progress.

This thesis project conducts research to understand what stage wireless technology development is in for aging services. The project will relate the aging services research to the specimen CCRC and its quality initiatives. A survey of many other aging services providers will identify how technology is used to improve ageing services.

The thesis project will study a new wireless technology demonstration project that aims to improve patient safety for the cognitive impaired resident. The thesis project will seek to identify and show how new wireless technology can be used to dramatically improve resident care and directly support resident wellness in the independent living lifestyles. Potential areas for wireless use include medical record keeping, emergency communications, routine communications and resident care monitoring. Possible implications of this project include the demonstration how other long term care facilities and at home care programs can benefit from the use of emerging wireless technology.