Long-term care facilities statewide have been granted millions of dollars to advance technology available to residents.
From health care to quality of life, this funding will touch every corner of the state.
The grants come from the state Department of Human Services and represent a $2 million investment in South Dakota’s long-term care network.
It funds projects like CarePredict in the Edgewood Assisted Living facilities in South Dakota. Rich Ostert is administrator for the state’s three Edgewood locations.
“It allows us to know how much time our staff is spending with residents," Ostert said. "It also allows us to get back to family members on how fast their loved ones are getting service. From the time they press their pendant, to the time that our staff respond to it.”
While Edgewood has facilities across the nation, Ostert said this extra funding helps South Dakota branches implement this technology sooner than would be possible.
Not every facility has the support of a wider network to rely on, though, especially in rural settings. Take the Sunset Manor in Irene and the Wakonda Heritage Manor. Administrator Robin Stockland said this investment is opening new doors at both facilities.
“We would not have gotten the equipment at this time if it wasn’t for the grant," Stockland said. "We were very, very happy that we got the portion that we did, and I know my nurses are ecstatic.”
That equipment could be lifesaving for Stockland’s residents.
“So, it’s vital sign machines that will actually integrate with our new electronic medical record system," Stockland said. "What these will do is, when CNAs or nurses take the vitals, those vitals will go right to the residents’ medical chart, so it’s going to decrease any kind of an error.”
In total, 73 facilities across South Dakota received grant money for technology upgrades.