Tech literacy is becoming an increasingly important skill for senior living residents, as new software and technologies continue to be adopted by providers.
Independent living residents at Lifespace Communities’ soon will have access to education and training, thanks to a new partnership with support company Candoo Tech, Lifespace announced this week.
“The Candoo partnership is a game-changer for our communities,” Mike Roach, Lifespace’s chief strategy officer, said in a statement. “Candoo’s approach aligns seamlessly with our pursuit of creating opportunities for our residents to have curated, personalized experiences.”
Lifespace serves nearly 6,000 residents across 17 communities in seven states.
Candoo’s remote platform – specifically for older adults – offers a slate of options, including personal tech support, individualized and on-demand training, and comprehensive group classes on technology subjects, Roach said.
Originally, Candoo offered services to two Lifespace communities as part of a pilot program last year. The residents’ feedback was overwhelmingly positive, a Lifespace spokesman said.
Ninety-three percent of adults aged 55 or more years plan to age in place, nearly half of whom use assistive, health-related technology already, according to recent research.
Candoo’s own internal surveys claim that 70% of participants in their training sessions say their ability to use technology improved afterward.
Although some experts warn continued training is necessary to address healthcare inequities such as tech illiteracy, others note that overall, older adults continue to adopt new technology, with more adults aged 65 and over using smartphones and/or social media, iN2L + LifeLoop Chief Technology Officer Dylan Conley wrote for McKnight’s Senior Living.
Beginning in 2024, Medicare Advantage organizations will have to offer digital health education to those with low digital literacy, Healthworx recently reported.
