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Some new technological advances in wireless call systems for senior citizen housing may offer new business opportunities for the electrical market.
The health-care market, and specifically the construction and renovation of nursing homes, continues to grow because of demographic trends associated with the aging of the United States population.
Within this market segment, assisted-living and independent-living homes, as opposed to what's called "skilled nursing homes," (with more on-staff nurses and other health-care professionals) are growing fastest. In step with this trend, advances in nurse-call systems (referred to as emergency response systems in the non-skilled care sector) have improved to the point where an owner or administrator can easily and inexpensively incorporate call systems into every residential unit, adding value and fail-safe security to their property. The installation of these systems may be a new line of work for electrical contractors.
New wireless technology allows for the simple and rapid installation into any building, regardless of age. Relying on the latest wireless systems also expands communication options between residents and staff. Residents can request help through pendants worn around their neck or via room stations. Additionally, it is now a simple matter to set up a system so that when a patient sounds an alarm, not only will the bell and light go off at the reception desk (alarm master station), but the room location will be indicated on a display terminal and the person on duty can be notified of the situation via a pocket pager that beeps or vibrates up to a two-mile range. Such pagers can even be set up to notify staff when the alarm has been canceled. Modern software also summarizes all alarm and response data, providing written proof of reliable security.
Care that counts. These new wireless systems satisfy the communication and security needs of residents, and work well in the new types of senior-care facilities now being built.
"The industry is changing, and hardly anyone is building skilled nursing homes any more," said Jerry Johnson, president of Cornell Communications Inc., Milwaukee, a manufacturer of hospital and personal emergency response systems. "There is now a tremendous demand for independent and assisted living homes. Aside from the improved health and increasing numbers of senior citizens, part of the reason for...