Residents test a new ‘smart room’ with an interactive controller 

As the senior population grows globally, innovators are looking for ways that smart technology can help older adults age in place with independence and choice at their fingertips. Recognizing there will always be a certain percentage of older adults who need nursing and rehabilitative services, Valley View Retirement Community in Belleville, Pennsylvania, took the initiative to research a different approach. Over the course of the last year, the Life Plan Community explored ways to integrate smart technology specifically for residents who required assistance but desired independence and control within its skilled nursing and rehabilitative center, The Haven.  

VVRC was intentional in selecting and converting a short-term rehab room into a Smart Room. CEO Nicole Sarver explains, “We were deliberate in selecting this location because someone coming for short-term rehabilitation often has some form of restrictions following a hospitalization. In efforts to support their rest and recovery, we wanted to design a room where a resident would be able to control the lighting, blinds, temperature, and television to match their specific preferences all from their bed or chair.”  

She referenced Trends in Healthcare which notes that “access to natural light through windows can improve patient outcomes, reduce anxiety, shorten the length of stay, improve someone’s sleep and lessen reported pain.”   

“By giving someone the ability to control these comforts of the room, we believe it will enhance their experience within their restrictions, aid in recovery, and more positively influence their experience when in our care,” she said.   

“Our approach was to keep it simple, using senior-friendly intuitive control interfaces displayed on a touch iPad,” VVRC Director of Information Technology Jeff Foflygen said. “It was through collaboration with Delta Electronics (Americas) and the development of their software and devices that our team put this smart technology to the test.”  

“If there is something more that we can do for residents, we want to find a way to do it.” — CEO Nicole Sarver

“The Valley View team had a clear vision of what they wanted for their residents to support their rest and recovery,” Senior Business Development Manager at Delta Electronics (Americas) Dan Cremins said. “By leveraging technology typically used in Smart Building applications, we were able to deliver an integrated Smart Room solution that enables users to easily control the room from a simple user interface.” 

As residents stay in the Smart Room, VVRC is conducting interviews and reviewing analytics specific to the use of the device. The findings help to inform their efforts and shape how smart technology can enhance service delivery, especially for those within a nursing and rehabilitative setting. A recent resident commented, “I see great value in what Valley View is doing. During my time of rehabilitation, it contributed to a feeling of independence. Although the staff was wonderful and extremely responsive, I appreciated being in control during a time when I needed much support.” 

Sarver shares, “Receiving this feedback fuels our commitment to finding ways to enhance our offerings. If there is something more that we can do for residents, we want to find a way to do it.”