Technology: A Different Kind of Amenity
 Although we tend to think of the last 50 years as the age of technology, that perspective ignores thousands of years of innovation. The Model T Ford, the ink pen, maps, clocks and pottery represented sweeping, life-changing advancements of their day.
The earliest vision for Park Springs, a Continuing Care Retirement Center (CCRC) in Stone Mountain, Ga., recognized that leading-edge technological applications would be vital to succeed. Our aim was to “feature proof” our community. We did this by installing a state-of-the-art fiber-optic infrastructure that could accommodate virtually any feature or innovation that could be foreseen or imagined. Technology, we knew early on, would not only enhance our community’s operating efficiency, it would also be a high-value amenity we would market and promote. Technology Should Save Time and Be Hassle-Free My philosophy of technology is a simple one based on two core beliefs: Technology should be time-saving (think Model T and the Internet) and should not be a hassle to own or use (think pottery and the iPod). An early survey of our Park Springs residents revealed that they shared our view. Specifically, we queried the following and received an overwhelmingly affirmative response:  Would you prefer to establish an account directly with Park Springs or choose among local phone and cable providers? - Would you like to receive phone service directly from Park Springs at 10% less than local providers?
- Would you consider it an advantage to receive one monthly bill from Park Springs for all billable utilities, rather than receive multiple bills?
The survey showed that time-savings and ease-of-use were on members’ minds as well.
 | | An array of technology enhancements allows Park Springs residents to take full advantage of the in-gound clubhouse amenity. |
Plugging In Our goal was to become a premier CCRC in the Southeast and among the leading communities nationwide. That drive for quality influenced our technology choices. Among applications in place are the following: Daily check motion sensor. Retirement communities commonly offer a means of conducting daily resident checks. Most typical is a two-part mechanical device that falls into place once the door has been opened. The device must be manually checked and reset daily. We opted for an electronic motion-sensing device featuring an “eye” that detects movement across a laser beam. The data flows over our computer network and can be read at the guard house, security center or health center. This effective, non-invasive system easily passes the “time-savings, easy-to-use” test. It’s a perfect example of a technological innovation that creates efficiency for the developer and makes life easier for members. One-card, one-key system. We developed a card key that looks much like a credit card and performs four key functions:
- As a proxy card to enter at the main gate
- A swipe card to permit entry into the building
- A key to enter members’ homes
- A credit card linked to the community’s point-of-sale system
This means that the card that provides access to one’s home can also be used to purchase a drink in the lounge. The same basic system provided us an efficient and easy-to-use method for controlling employee access (security is a much-touted amenity at Park Springs).
Infrared nurse call system. We use an industry-leading system that tracks nurse entries into a member’s room. The nurse wears an infrared-detecting badge that he or she can also use to signal for backup. The device serves to verify (for example to family members) that a nurse did in fact respond to a member’s request for help. It’s also a valuable management tool for supervisors to track nurse activity.
Exercise equipment memory chip. People who visit gyms know how frustrating it can be to forget from one time to the next which setting was last used. We selected top-end equipment by Keiser that solves the problem. During their workout, users carry a small key-like device and insert it into each piece of equipment. The device electronically reveals information including the past setting used, seat or bar height and the number of reps last performed. As the user leaves the gym, he or she holds the “key” up to a terminal that downloads data from that exercise session for future use. In addition to offering hassle-free time-savings, the system also makes it easy to track trends and benchmark progress. Beyond these applications is a separate category of technological amenities we consider “utilities.” Examples are the service bundling and master bill options described above.
The Times, They Are a Changin’ Who might have guessed a decade ago that computer-driven technology would become as integrated into our culture as it has? Or that our target market — adults over 62 ― would have become one of the most computer-savvy segments of the population? (More than 70% of our members own their own PCs.) Providing technological amenities that respond to their image of a best-in-class community and that add efficiency and value is our continuing goal. Essential to every offering at Park Springs is the commitment of owners and management to support and maintain it at the highest possible level. With the right-sized project and proper market research and system selection, such amenities can be profitable to the builder and save the customer time, hassle and money. E. Andrew (Andy) Isakson is the founder of Isakson-Barnhart Properties, Inc. and managing partner of Isakson-Barnhart Development Co., LLC based in Atlanta. He has more than 25 years experience in commercial and residential real estate in Atlanta and throughout the Southeast. Isakson was a presenter on technology as an amenity at Building for Boomers and Beyond: the Seniors Housing Symposium 2005. For more information, e-mail Isakson, or call him at 770-559-4848. | 
