,If you’re already using Caavo’s interactive TV-based communication system in your community, you know it’s a sneaky-fast and effective way for staff to communicate with residents. If not, all you need to know is that Caavo lets staff reach every resident on their TV (even if the screen is off). Make community-wide announcements, video chat, share calendars and dining menus, and even send interactive check-ins to ensure everything is okay—from any smartphone or computer, anywhere. 

With our latest update, we’ve added some exciting new features designed to give staff more control and functionality when communicating with residents.

Get Down to Details with Care Settings.

Caavo’s Announcements are a fast and easy way to send a one-time message to residents. Whether it’s a fire drill, window cleaning, event time change, or other community news, it’s a great way to keep everyone up-to-date with timely, accurate information. 

Customers told us this feature is a time-saving game changer for staff. They also said they often want to send Announcements to residents in a particular care setting, e.g., Independent Living, Assisted Living, or Memory Care.

You asked, we listened. 

With our new Care Setting functionality, staff can designate a Care Setting when sending Announcements. If, for example, the dining room for Assisted Living is closing early, staff can send a notification to only the impacted residents.

It’s all about getting the right message to the right audience as efficiently as possible. 

Hear ye, hear ye! Announcement Shortcuts.

Speaking of the right message, our new update also features Announcement Shortcuts, which allow staff to send out announcements more quickly. 

Instead of writing a message from scratch about the fire drill every month, you can make an Announcement Shortcut and reuse it. 

After you create an Announcement Shortcut, you’ll see it listed in your Announcements tab. 

Select the message and hit Send Now. Two clicks, and you’re on to the next thing.

Dinner is served. Grove Menu Integration.

Now onto a tastier upgrade! Residents love the ease of viewing dining menus on their TV with Caavo, and our new Grove Menu integration makes it deliciously easy for staff to keep dining menus up-to-date. 

Dining menus created in Grove Menus will update automatically in Caavo. Staff can also set a time or date range on the menus, so they will be removed automatically from the resident’s TV once they’re no longer available—chef’s kiss.

“Hello? Are you there?” Camera Turn On Requests.

Video calling is a core Caavo feature. We’re always looking for ways to improve the experience for residents, staff, and families, including giving everyone as much visibility and control as possible. Our new Camera Turn On Requests functionality does just that. 

Now, staff and families can request that a resident turn on their camera during a video call. This is particularly helpful if a resident chooses not to turn on their camera when they initially answer the call but staff or family would like to get eyes on them. 

Here’s how it works: Once the video call connects, staff or family can select the Camera icon on the video call screen. This will display a message on the resident’s TV requesting they turn their camera on and instructing them to press the + button on their Caavo remote. 

Residents can decline the request to keep the camera off, but this is an easy way to encourage them to turn on the camera while still respecting their privacy.

We Welcome Your Feedback!

The one thing all these updates have in common? They are based on feedback from our customer communities! 

We love hearing about the creative ways you use Caavo to enhance communication and save staff time. Our ears are always open, so if you have suggestions or comments on how Caavo can improve your community's communication, don’t hesitate to share them  with the team!