Keeping Up With Technology

Keeping Up with Technology

Have you ever asked yourself why technology is so important today? Although your generation may not have been raised on technology you were certainly the genesis for the growth of technology. Today we are surrounded by technology and believe it or not we need technology. Just think it was not that long ago that microwave ovens were invented, they were expensive and not well understood. When I was growing up the term “NUKE IT” meant duck under my desk at school because the Russian’s were coming. But today it means warm up a cup of coffee or a meal.  

As the Executive Director at Fellowship Square-Mesa, it is my responsibility to provide long term road maps for all things related to successful aging experiences for our residents.  From the beginning, nearly 20 years ago, Fellowship Square-Mesa has been a leader in using technology to improve the aging experience for our Residents.  From the day we opened we offered cable TV, in-house resident channels, and emergency alert buttons for each resident.

In 2005, we added individual resident coaxial Internet access with our private broadband system. Today every resident can receive email speed Internet access (1 MB) included at no additional charge in their basic monthly fee. We recently added 8 more HD 720p television stations and our residents now have 32 HD channels available for their viewing pleasure (with an additional 16 being added).  

The technology that we have in place today includes five in-house resident TV channels, cable TV, high definition TV, and Wi-Fi connectivity for every resident who wants it. The resident emergency call system now uses triangulation to locate pendants anywhere on the 10 acre campus, including parking lots.

We recently deployed a new technology we call the “Fellowship Square-Mesa Center of Aging Excellence” or the “Resident Portal.” This Portal has been designed specifically for our residents. By logging on you can view your bill (eventually you will be able to pay your bill from the Portal), schedule a repair or transportation service; read about a popular new book, or learn about an upcoming lifelong learning class.

Technology is very important to our community; now routine tasks, administrative functions and oversight responsibilities can be handled through automation. Technology gives us a way to improve communication with each resident. Whether we use the in-house resident channels or the Resident Portal we want you to always know that you have received up-to-date and meaningful information from Fellowship Square-Mesa.

The last factor related to our use of technology is that it can help the staff do their jobs better. We want all of our staff members to be well trained and quick to respond to any question or issue you may have. We can use technology to give staff access to information, to track job certifications and provide feedback to you, the resident.

If you have any feedback related to the access or use of technology at Fellowship Square-Mesa, please send me an email at JonScott.Williams@christiancare.org. I look forward to hearing from you.

Visit us online @ www.fellowshipsquareseniorliving.org/campus/az/mesa/

Will You Be My Neighbor?

“It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood, a beautiful day for a neighbor,” says Mr. Rogers.

You might be interested in learning that at Fellowship Square-Mesa we have a strong felling of community enhanced by a network of individual neighborhoods. How does that work you might ask. Every floor in our multi-story buildings acts and feels like a good old fashioned neighborhood; we abandoned the “nursing care look and feel” over 20 years ago and today our residents live and thrive in a home like atmosphere with friendly neighbors living next door.

Today each floor has a comfortable gathering space, kitchen and meeting room. Residents get to know the people on their floor as if they were the “neighbor next door.” Several of the neighborhoods begin their day with morning coffee, a home-made sweet treat (baked that morning by one of the residents), the newspaper and friendly neighbors.

When asked about the benefits of living in a senior adult community with a neighborhood atmosphere, residents tell us there are three things that stand out for them.

1.       Peaceful living. Our residents find it is far more peaceful to live among neighbors that they know and that like and respect each other. They also tell us that the way that happens is by getting to know everyone on the floor.

2.       Safety first. Good neighbors watch out for each other. Our residents check in on someone they may not have seen during the day. If someone is ill or recovering from an illness then their neighbors will check in to make sure they are doing OK.

3.       Social connections. Some old fashioned neighborhoods thrive on over-the-fence conversations each day. Our neighborhoods are like that. Residents say that having people close by to socialize with creates wonderful and long lasting friendships.

The “neighborhood” concept at Fellowship Square-Mesa is what sets us apart from other communities. We have programs that assist in assimilation and connection with our community but our individual neighborhoods are the glue that holds it all together. As Mr. Rodgers said, “Won’t you be my neighbor?”

Visit us online today @ http://www.fellowshipsquareseniorliving.org/campus/as/mesa/

IN THE SPOTLIGHT Fellowship Square Mesa

We are pleased to announce our new Corporate Sponsor in the 

Phoenix SPOTLIGHT Senior Services & Living Options 

“The Longevity Dividend”

Life expectancy in the United States is at an all-time high. You have probably heard the terms “healthy aging,” or “improved quality-of-life;” our favorite is “Longevity Dividend.”  Advertisers use these terms to entice you to spend money with them and senior adult communities often use these terms to attract new residents. Of course the challenge with these terms is that they are often defined by the marketing department instead of by residents.

At Fellowship Square-Mesa we take these terms very seriously and we strive to be a Center of Aging Excellence. We work every day to make certain that our residents are provided with the opportunity to achieve “healthy aging,” and a high standard of “quality-of-life.”

Nutritious Meals.  Research has shown that eating regular meals that contain protein, fresh vegetables & fruit, and fewer carbohydrates result in a healthier senior population. Alternative meals and special dietary needs can be easily accommodated. Don’t be afraid to ask! When you feel better you have less stress in your life, more energy and are more likely to engage in social interaction, (USDA, Nutrition.gov).  

Social Interaction. Social connections help senior adults stay active and mobile, and can even slow the rate of cognitive decline. At Fellowship Square-Mesa we provide a variety of planned events and activities. We encourage every resident to study the monthly calendar and find the events that appeal to them and make that event a regular occurrence.

Intellectual Stimulation. The idea of keeping our “brains healthy” is way beyond crossword puzzles, computer games, and Bingo. We realized a long time ago that our residents wanted current information about our community and exposure to technology and lifelong learning classes. Learning is a way for us to stay connected to the world around us, learn things that we may not know, engage with our fellow residents and improve our brain fitness.

Fitness or Wellness Programs. Physical activity is important for everyone but especially for senior adults who are concerned with healthy aging, “Stay Strong to Live Long.” Exercise can energize your mood, relieve stress, help you manage symptoms of illness and pain and improve your overall sense of well-being. At Fellowship Square-Mesa we provide many opportunities for our residents on a variety of levels: cardio workouts, fitness classes, and classes for improving posture and balance.

Take the steps necessary to improve or sustain your quality-of-life today. Try something new; don’t make up your mind that you won’t like it before you’ve tried it. Most of all make a commitment to be healthy and happy and you will benefit from the “Longevity Dividend!”

Visit us online @ www.fellowshipsquareseniorliving.org/campus/az/mesa/