Many people depend on retirement communities. It’s not just the people who live there, either. Their loved ones also put a great deal of trust in those who run these communities, depending on them to take care of their family members.

This is why it’s so important that such organizations hire the best possible caregivers. It’s also why managed IT services are vital for powering these facilities. Without them, retirement communities would be unnecessarily constrained in the amount of care they could provide.

5 Ways Managed IT Services Support Retirement Communities

Managed IT services can offer a wide range of unique benefits to retirement communities depending on their specific requirements, goals, and challenges. However, the following five are the most common advantages that just about every organization can look forward to enjoying.

1. Outsourcing Essential Work Frees Up Caregivers

Even though every retirement community is different, one thing they all have in common is that their caregivers already have their hands full as it is. No two days are the same, but all of them are busy.

This means retirement communities can’t hope to rely on any of their employees pulling double-duty and helping with their IT needs, as well. For one thing, it’s unlikely any employee has enough free time in their days to give IT the attention it must have to avoid serious problems. Secondly, managing an entire network – to say nothing of the hardware and software on it – is only for specialists. This isn’t the kind of work someone can learn on the go.

Caregivers have their specialties, and those talents are best used with the people who live there. Outsourcing IT work allows them to put their capabilities to the best possible use.

2. Retirement Communities Require Specific Technology

Managed IT services can assist with procuring required hardware, as well. For example, many retirement communities become interested in solutions like KIP print hardware when they realize what these kinds of devices have to offer. Best of all, KIP print hardware can handle a wide range of jobs without requiring a massive footprint.

Of course, there are more common examples, as well. Just about every retirement community must have:

• Phone Systems
• Network Appliances
• Nurse Call Systems
• Security Cameras

Then there’s the software necessary to operate such a facility. This might include titles dedicated to accounting, care-tracking, and more. Some facilities rely on platforms like Bluebeam Revu to better plan ongoing development of their property. Bluebeam Revu is not only helpful for creating blueprints but sharing and collaborating on them, as well.

3. Patient Data Is Always Backed Up

A big part of what caregivers do at retirement communities is to help residents with their specific health-related challenges. While it’s also about being friendly, putting on events, and driving certain residents around, seeing to health matters is essential for providing a high-level of care. It’s also only possible to do so with the right information on file.

Managed IT services back up this kind of critical data and then keep it secure. That way, even in the case of a freak accident or natural disaster, caregivers can immediately return to helping residents by merely accessing the backed-up versions that their IT infrastructure was keeping safe.

4. The Cloud Makes Sharing Easy

Speaking of vital records, it’s often necessary to access them from another location. The most common example is when a new resident is applying to join the community. Instead of waiting for the hardcopy of their records to arrive, nurses and caregivers can access them through the cloud. They can also share information this way with family members and medical professionals should it become necessary for the care of their residents.

Outsourcing IT needs means that experts can set up cloud access on behalf of the retirement community. It also means they’ll take care of maintaining its security, as well.

5. Managed IT Services Are Important for Compliance

Finally, any company that works with Personal Health Information (PHI) is subject to HIPAA regulations for their industry. Among other things, retirement communities must pass a risk assessment that proves they can safeguard PHI. With managed IT services, community directors enjoy peace of mind knowing that their organization will never have to worry about being found in violation because of their network.  

Provide an Even Better Level of Care with Managed IT Services

Whether it’s to better support hardware like KIP print devices, software like Bluebeam Revu, to cover compliance, or to know sharing patient data will be easy, we can help your retirement community better serve its residents.

Our managed IT services are completely customizable, as well. We begin by conducting a complete assessment of your current IT infrastructure before assessing your needs and then offering our recommendations for approval. Contact us today to learn more about how we can assist your community.