New Community Embraces Technological Change

Being comfortable with technology is going to be a basic requirement if you work at the building known by the unique name – First & Main. Cutting edge technology permeates every element of this soon to be completed assisted living community which will be welcoming its first residents in August. Last week a team from EAG that included V.P. Curt Monhart and Pete Vissar was invited to a behind the scenes tour of the structure and it was an eye opening experience!

The advances that are taking place in technology are occurring at breakneck speed and since EAG doesn’t sell products per se, the energy team is always researching the latest technology that can provide solutions to the unique problems of our clients. The tour gave us an opportunity to witness how a wide variety of newer technologies are being brought together by a leading edge company to set a new standard in the assisted living industry.

The tour of First & Main was led by Teri Beatty who is the Community Relations Director. Teri’s energy is contagious and it’s evident she enjoys talking about the community and takes great pride in discussing how it will positively affect the lives of the soon to be residents.

From the exterior the structure appears to be simply a box shaped building that could house offices or a big box store. When you step inside the structure you realize looks are deceiving. A massive courtyard is contained in the very center of the structure and it’s open to the sky! The courtyard is outfitted with raised bed gardens, an amphitheater, fire pits and even a putting green. It will be one of the primary social gathering points of the residents.

For the sake of brevity there is not enough space to talk about all the amazing amenities that will be available to the residents (movie theater, chapel, salons and spas is a short list). The technology within the walls of the structure is what the EAG team came to see and it was most impressive!

What will soon be hidden behind ceiling tiles and sheet-rock are impressive bundles of wires that connect all the amazing technology embedded within the structure. The technology will support an extremely comprehensive level of assistance and comfort that will benefit every resident.

Here’s just a short list of the technology EAG encountered:

• RFID bracelets – keys can be troublesome for an arthritic resident and are easily lost if memory is an issue. The RFID bracelet will allow residents easy access to their own room while preventing entry into a neighbor’s rooms without being invited. It will also keep residents needing memory care from losing their key or wandering away from places where they should be or entering places where they shouldn’t.
• Circadian Rhythm Lighting – Alzheimer patients benefit from outside cues which help them establish normal daily activities. All lighting in the memory care unit of First & Main are computerized to dim as evening approaches and automatically brighten in the mornings.
• Photo Sensing Windows – high tech windows on the southern face of the building will darken automatically in response to sunlight. The windows will minimize glare, as well as the greenhouse effect, reducing unnecessary air conditioning.
• Quiet Care – this amazing electronic system uses a room sensor to “learn” a resident’s normal patterns. Any sudden deviation from the norm causes an alert to be sent to a caregiver for appropriate follow up.
• Real Time Location Pendant – residents wear a pendant that can be activated when help is needed. The device sends an alert to the staff indicating the exact location of that person within the facility. Immediate assistance is then possible.
• Point of Care Solution – Staff members responding to emergencies carry a hand held mobile device that gives them access to necessary resident health information. The system will also provide all necessary information to connect with health care providers, family members, etc.
• Electronic Medication Management – medication won’t be forgotten or taken in excess or at the wrong time with this high tech system utilized by the staff.
• Electronic Health Records – accurate health care record-keeping is done electronically and available instantaneously to appropriate health care providers or for insurance purposes.

Built from the ground up with specific goals!

It was extremely interesting to tour a facility that was built from the ground up with specific goals in mind. It’s apparent that a primary goal of First & Main is high-level assisted living. While the embedded technology will be mostly invisible to the residents, it will provide extraordinary assistance around the clock.

It’s also apparent that energy efficiency, resulting in LEED certification, was another big goal. Congratulations to First & Main on achieving both!

The Energy Alliance Group of Michigan is a leader in clean energy PACE project development and financing.