Training residents one-on-one can win over even the biggest technology skeptics.

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It typically goes something like this:

Trainer: Hi there, I’m going to show you how to use your new Caavo remote.

Resident: I don’t want a new remote. My TV works fine. 

Trainer: This remote can do some things yours can’t, and I think you might like it.

Resident: Fine.

The trainer hands the resident her new Caavo remote and begins to demonstrate basic functions. They show the resident how to power on the TV, turn the volume up/down, and change channels.

Within 5-10 minutes, there is almost always a shift from fear and anxiety to cautious optimism.

“OK. I think I can do this!”

Now the real fun begins. 

The trainer observes and asks a few simple questions. 

What do you like to watch on TV? Do you have grandkids? What activities do you like to participate in? 

The responses help the trainer pinpoint the features likely to get the resident excited. 

Think of it as an analog Buzzfeed quiz. 

Out of town grandkids? Let me show you how they can send pictures to your TV or video call you from their dance recital. You’ll be able to see (and hear) because it’s on your TV screen.

Love watching the Cubs? We can program your TV to automatically turn on and change to the right channel at game time.

Play Bingo every Tuesday? Let’s set a reminder on your TV that’ll tell you when it’s starting. 

Perhaps the trainer notices the resident has vision impairments. They will demonstrate how the resident can use the microphone button to change channels with their voice. And then they'll ask the resident to try it for themselves to get more comfortable. 

All of a sudden, cautious optimism is genuine excitement.

The resident often latches on to a particular feature like voice control, video calling, or reminders. They’re motivated because it’s personal.

They see how it can make life better for them, and it opens them up to considering other aspects of the technology. 

Now they can use the TV to submit a maintenance request or request a callback from the front desk. They can check the dining menu or the activity calendar without calling the dining room or the front desk. They can press a button on their remote to see the local weather forecast. 

The best part? Once that initial spark of excitement is ignited, it doesn’t burn out when the training session ends.

That’s the beauty of TV-based technology. 

One-on-one training sets residents up to embrace the new technology, but it’s the platform itself – the TV – that’s the real secret sauce. 

Unlike a new tablet, speaker, or another unfamiliar device that’s easy to cast aside, the TV is already a centerpiece of your residents’ lives. 

It’s the only technology nearly every senior willingly embraces. 

That means they’ll start enjoying the benefits of your new TV-based technology right away, and once they start, they won't want to quit. 

Interested in more ideas for introducing new technology in your community?

Senior Living Foresight recently published an article sharing our best advice for training residents, staff, and families: Fear and Loathing to Fun and Loving in 8 Minutes or Less.