Uber and Lenbrook
If you think Uber is just for Millennials or Gen X, I’m happy to report that we have many active Uber riders here at Lenbrook. We can thank our volunteer “Geezer Squad” for helping pave the way by conducting Uber workshops for residents in association with our L.I.V.E. department. This is just one example of how current technologies are making their way into our residents’ lives at Lenbrook.
For those residents seeking to be more proficient with their electronic devices, Jim Cochrane, the head of Lenbrook’s Geezer Squad helps residents in the computer lab every Tuesday and Thursday from 1 to 2 p.m. The Geezer Squad also makes “house calls” throughout the week as needed assisting with everything from smart phones and iPads to Facebook and email. I’m very excited to see our residents increasing the use of technology in their personal lives.
Maximizing Today’s Technology First
Part of my responsibility as Chief Financial Officer is to oversee the evaluation and implementation of new technology within our campus to benefit our 500+ residents. During our fiscal year 2016 we focused on upgrading the technology in our Event Center and Brookhaven Meeting Room:
Event Center
- Installed a high definition projector for better clarity of presentations and videos
- Installed a 12-foot projection screen to maximize visibility
- Installed a new speaker system for better audio
- Obtained specialized microphones for musical instruments and performances
- Installed specialty lighting for better visibility
- Provided a direct audio feed to the in-house television channels for clearer audio.
Installed three high-definition cameras to broadcast a clearer picture on Lenbrook’s Channel 963
Brookhaven Meeting Room
- Installed a high-definition projector
- Added a dedicated DVD player
Installed an infrared hearing system
Although these technologies aren’t brand new, they sure make for a more enjoyable viewing experience both “live” and on the in-house channels.
Other technology advancements include the use of large digital signage/screens located near the elevator banks to announce daily events, dining menus and other special announcements. We even have the ability to “Tweet” instant messages on our digital signage allowing us to notify residents quickly of important news.
Navigating New Technologies
In the coming year, we’ll conduct a gap analysis within our community to identify where technology gaps exist both for our internal systems as well as resident technologies. The three primary areas we believe offer the most opportunity for residents are Social, Health & Wellness and Safety technologies. There’s a phone app, web-based software or new piece of hardware for just about anything you want to accomplish. We want to explore what’s out there and at least make our residents aware of technologies that they may choose to incorporate into their lives.
Multigenerational Needs
We have residents ranging in age from 62 to 102. This translates into varying levels of comfort with technology. We’re highly attuned to our residents’ preferences, particularly regarding communications. So while we may adopt new digital/electronic technologies over time, we fully plan to operate parallel processes as needed so that nobody is left behind. Because of this, we will continue to provide paper memos and calendars in resident cubbies along with electronic signage just outside our mail rooms.
You can find us online at Lenbrook-Atlanta.org.
Dan Dornblaser is Lenbrook’s Vice President of Finance/Chief Financial Officer. He first joined the Board of Directors of Lenbrook in 2013 as Chairman of the Finance Committee before becoming its VP of Finance, CFO in 2014. Dan has 30+ years of commercial banking experience, with over half of his career focused on the financial needs of not-for-profit entities and on bond financings for CCRCs across the Southeastern U.S. A resident of Atlanta since 1998, he enjoys gardening, travel and cycling, most recently combing the latter two passions in a trip through southern Ireland.