» Applications are still being accepted for the 2020 McKnight’s Excellence in Technology Awards program. The program features tracks for skilled care and senior living. Each track includes six categories and multiple entries are allowed. The initial deadline to submit nominations is July 24. There is no charge to enter. Find entry information at mcknights.com/events/mcknights-technology-awards.
» Wyld Networks is applying its mobile mesh technology to help protect nursing home residents, staff and visitors and prevent the spread of COVID-19 or other viruses by creating geozones. The technology provides digital access and anonymized social distance monitoring and alerting through a mobile app and a mesh wireless network of connected smartphones and Internet of Things devices.
» Boston-based Eversound has launched a new “visitation package,” a two-way communication technology that allows senior living and skilled nursing residents and their loved ones to safely reconnect through wireless headphones. The headphones feature broader frequency ranges to deliver truer sound to those with hearing loss, as well as ergonomic volume controls and antimicrobial materials. The system’s wireless transmitter connects to most audio sources and can broadcast voice and audio simultaneously to the headphones.
» Researchers at the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences and Massachusetts Institute of Technology have developed pop-up shoe grips, inspired by snake skin, that can increase friction between the shoe and the ground. The assistive grips could be used to reduce the risk of falling among older adults. The research is published in Nature Biomedical Engineering.
» The Texas Health and Human Services Commission has announced $3.6 million in funding for Texas nursing homes to allow them to purchase technology to connect residents with their families, particularly while coronavirus visitation restrictions are in place. Facilities can receive up to $3,000 to purchase tablets, webcams and headphones for the residents. Applications can be submitted through the HHSC website.
From the July/August 2020 Issue of McKnight's Long-Term Care News
