Sunrise Senior Communities: Enriching Lives Through Thoughtful Digital Communication
"Digital signage has transformed how we enrich our residents' daily lives. They know what activities are happening, they feel connected to their community and the outside world, and their families have peace of mind seeing the vibrant life happening in our communities. Resident satisfaction is up 42%, family concern calls have dropped 56%, and our staff can focus on care instead of constant announcements."
— Dr. Margaret Sullivan, CEO, Sunrise Senior Communities
Organization Overview
| Organization | Sunrise Senior Communities |
| Type | Senior living provider |
| Communities | 12 campuses |
| Total Residents | 2,400 |
| Care Levels | Independent living, assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing |
| Staff | 1,800 |
| Average Resident Age | 82 |
| Annual Revenue | $186 million |
| SignageStudio Customer Since | April 2024 |
The Challenge: Communication in Senior Care
Sunrise faced unique communication challenges serving an aging population:
The Senior Living Reality
Effective communication with seniors requires special consideration:
- 65% of adults 65+ have hearing loss
- 32% of adults 75+ have vision impairment
- Cognitive changes affect information processing
- Technology intimidation is common among older adults
Specific Pain Points
Activity Participation Decline Despite robust programming, participation was falling:
- Activity calendar awareness: 45% of residents
- Event attendance: Averaging 23% of eligible residents
- Last-minute cancellation/changes: Poorly communicated
- New residents: Slow to engage with programming
Family Communication Gaps Families felt disconnected from their loved ones' daily lives:
- "What does Mom do all day?" most common family question
- Concern calls to staff: 340/week across all communities
- Family visit satisfaction: 71%
- Transparency perception: 64%
Staff Efficiency Challenges Staff spent excessive time on routine communication:
- PA announcements: 12-15 daily (disruptive, often missed)
- Individual room notifications: Time-consuming
- Dining communication: Menus, changes, specials poorly shared
- Emergency drills: Confusion about procedures
Wayfinding Difficulties Aging adults struggled navigating facilities:
- New resident orientation stress
- Visitor confusion in larger communities
- Memory care resident disorientation
- Accessibility route information unclear
"We had residents missing activities they would have loved simply because they didn't know about them," explains Dr. Sullivan. "And families calling constantly asking about their loved one's day—time that staff could have spent on direct care."
The Solution: Senior-Friendly Digital Communication
Sunrise partnered with MediaSignage to create an accessible digital communication system designed specifically for aging adults:
Display Network Architecture
Per Community Average (34 displays)
| Location | Type | Quantity | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main lobby | 75" welcome display | 1 | Welcome, daily activities, weather |
| Dining room | 55" menu boards | 3 | Menus, nutrition info, events |
| Activity room | 55" schedule display | 2 | Today's activities, upcoming events |
| Common area lounges | 55" community displays | 4 | News, photos, family messages |
| Hallway intersections | 43" wayfinding | 6 | Directions, daily schedule |
| Memory care unit | 43" orientation displays | 4 | Time, date, weather, calm content |
| Therapy/rehab | 43" exercise displays | 2 | Exercise guides, motivation |
| Staff areas | 43" communication | 2 | Schedules, training, alerts |
| Entrance/reception | 55" visitor display | 1 | Check-in, events, visitor info |
| Chapel/meditation | 32" schedule | 1 | Service times, reflection content |
| Outdoor courtyard | Weatherproof 55" | 1 | Weather, nature content, activities |
| Family lounge | 55" display | 1 | Activities, photos, resident spotlights |
| Elevator lobbies | 43" displays | 4 | Floor info, activities, safety |
| Nurse stations | 32" displays | 2 | Shift info, resident updates |
Total Deployment: 408 displays across 12 communities
Senior-Specific Design Principles
Every aspect was designed for aging adults:
Visual Accessibility
- Large fonts — Minimum 72pt for key information
- High contrast — Dark text on light backgrounds
- Simple layouts — Minimal information per screen
- Longer dwell times — 15-20 seconds per screen (vs. typical 8-10)
- Sans-serif fonts — Easier readability for aging eyes
- No scrolling text — Static displays easier to process
Cognitive Considerations
- Consistent layouts — Same format across all communities
- Clear time/date — Always prominently displayed
- Photo reinforcement — Images accompany text
- Repetition — Key information cycles frequently
- Familiar faces — Staff photos with names displayed
Hearing Accessibility
- No audio dependence — All information visual
- Visual alerts — Flashing for urgent messages
- Closed captions — All video content captioned
- Large visual cues — Icons and colors communicate meaning
Content Strategy: The "Engage, Inform, Connect" Framework
| Pillar | Purpose | Content Types | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engage | Encourage participation | Activities, events, entertainment | "Bingo at 2pm in the Activity Room" |
| Inform | Daily living information | Menus, weather, time, date | "Today is Wednesday, January 15" |
| Connect | Combat isolation | Family photos, community news, world events | "Dorothy's granddaughter visited yesterday!" |
Memory Care Specialized Content
The memory care units received specially designed content:
Orientation Displays
- Current time, date, day of week, season (always visible)
- Weather conditions with large imagery
- "Today we are at Sunrise Gardens"
- Photos of family members (with permission)
- Calm, nature-based background content
Therapeutic Content
- Familiar music era information
- Historical photos from residents' youth
- Seasonal and holiday recognition
- Pet therapy visit schedules
- Sensory stimulation content
Staff Support
- Non-pharmacological intervention suggestions
- Resident preference reminders
- Family visit schedules
- Behavior pattern information (HIPAA compliant)
The Results: Quality of Life Impact
After 20 months of full deployment, Sunrise has achieved meaningful improvements:
Resident Experience Metrics
According to senior care research, meaningful engagement can improve senior quality of life by 30-50%—Sunrise achieved this through digital communication.
Detailed Performance Metrics
| Metric | Before | After | Improvement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resident satisfaction score | 72% | 89% | +24% (+42% relative) |
| Activity participation rate | 23% | 38% | +67% |
| Activity awareness | 45% | 87% | +93% |
| Family concern calls/week | 340 | 150 | -56% |
| Family visit satisfaction | 71% | 94% | +32% |
| PA announcements daily | 12-15 | 2-3 | -80% |
| New resident engagement time | 6 weeks | 2 weeks | -67% |
| Dining satisfaction | 68% | 86% | +26% |
Activity Engagement Transformation
Before Digital Signage:
- Residents relied on paper calendars (often misplaced)
- PA announcements missed by those with hearing loss
- Last-minute changes created confusion
- New residents didn't know what was offered
After Digital Signage:
- Real-time activity information throughout community
- Visual countdowns to popular events
- Changes instantly communicated
- "What's happening now" always visible
"We had a resident who'd been here two years and never came to music therapy," shares Activity Director Jennifer Martinez. "She said she didn't know about it. Now she sees it on the screen every week and hasn't missed a session in six months. She told me it's the highlight of her week."
Family Peace of Mind
Family Portal Integration Families can now see:
- Today's activity schedule
- Photos from recent events (with resident consent)
- Menu for the day
- Community news and updates
- Their loved one's participation (if opted in)
Impact on Family Relationships:
- Phone calls from families: More positive, less anxious
- Visit quality: Families arrive informed, ready to engage
- Trust in care team: Significantly improved
- Referrals from families: +78%
"I used to call every other day asking what Dad was doing, if he was eating, if he was engaged. Now I check the family portal and see photos of him at the gardening club, the menu he chose for lunch, the exercise class he attended. I visit now to enjoy time with him, not to interrogate the staff."
— Family Member Survey Response
Memory Care Outcomes
The specialized memory care content showed meaningful results:
| Metric | Before | After | Improvement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orientation to time | 34% | 56% | +65% |
| Agitation incidents | Baseline | -28% | -28% |
| Engagement with content | N/A | 78% (observed) | New metric |
| Family satisfaction (MC) | 64% | 87% | +36% |
| Staff satisfaction (MC) | 71% | 89% | +25% |
"The memory care displays showing the date, season, and weather have become part of our care routine," explains Memory Care Director Robert Chen. "Residents look at them, we talk about what they see, and it provides orientation touchpoints throughout the day. The nature content calms anxious residents better than anything else we've tried."
Staff and Operational Impact
Efficiency Gains
| Task | Before | After | Time Saved |
|---|---|---|---|
| PA announcements | 45 min/day | 10 min/day | 35 min |
| Individual notifications | 2 hrs/day | 30 min/day | 90 min |
| Menu communication | 30 min/meal | 5 min/meal | 75 min |
| Family update calls | 4 hrs/day | 1.5 hrs/day | 150 min |
| Total Daily | ~6 hours |
Staff Satisfaction Impact:
- "More time for direct care": 89% agree
- "Communication less stressful": 94% agree
- "Residents better informed": 91% agree
- Overall staff satisfaction: +23%
Emergency Communication
Digital signage improved emergency readiness:
- Fire drill coordination — Visual instructions throughout facility
- Weather alerts — Severe weather information immediately displayed
- Lockdown procedures — Clear guidance without panic-inducing PA
- Medical emergencies — Staff coordination without alarming residents
Financial Impact
Investment Summary
| Category | Cost |
|---|---|
| Hardware (408 displays, media players) | $624,000 |
| Installation across 12 communities | $156,000 |
| Senior-accessible content development | $89,000 |
| EHR/care system integration | $45,000 |
| Family portal development | $34,000 |
| SignageStudio enterprise license | $48,000/year |
| Total Initial Investment | $996,000 |
Return on Investment
| Category | Annual Value |
|---|---|
| Staff efficiency savings | $890,000 |
| Reduced family concern call handling | $180,000 |
| Improved occupancy (satisfaction-driven) | $640,000 |
| Referral increase value | $340,000 |
| Reduced print/signage costs | $45,000 |
| Survey score improvement (Medicare impact) | $120,000 |
| Total Annual Returns | $2,215,000 |
| ROI Achieved | 5.4 months |
Stakeholder Testimonials
"I'm 87 years old, and I was worried these fancy screens would confuse me. But they're so clear—big letters, simple information. I know exactly what's happening and when. I never miss the morning exercise class anymore because I see it on the screen in the dining room at breakfast. It's made my days much more full."
— Resident, Sunrise Gardens
"My mother has dementia, and the orientation displays in memory care have been wonderful. She always knows if it's day or night, what season we're in. The staff tells me she looks at the nature videos and becomes calm. And I can see photos of her participating in activities—that peace of mind is priceless."
— Family Member, Memory Care Unit
"As a CNA, I used to spend so much time telling residents about meals, activities, and schedule changes. Now I can point to the screen and they understand. I've gained at least an hour back every shift to actually provide care instead of being a human bulletin board."
— Certified Nursing Assistant
"During our last state inspection, the surveyor specifically commended our communication systems. Residents could tell her what activities were available, when meals were served, and how to find different areas of the facility. That clarity translated directly to our survey scores."
— Administrator, Sunrise Manor
Regulatory and Compliance Benefits
Digital signage supports regulatory requirements:
CMS Quality Measures:
- Activity engagement documentation
- Person-centered care evidence
- Communication accessibility
- Emergency preparedness
State Survey Preparedness:
- Posted information always current
- Menus displayed as required
- Activity schedules accessible
- Rights and procedures visible
HIPAA Compliance:
- No PHI displayed publicly
- Resident photos require consent
- Family portal secured
- Staff information protected
Future Innovations
Sunrise continues expanding digital capabilities:
2026 Initiatives
- Telehealth integration — Family video calls from common areas
- Voice-activated queries — "What's for lunch today?" response
- Personalized reminders — Individual medication and appointment alerts
- Intergenerational content — Grandchildren video messages
Long-Term Vision
- AI companion — Conversational interface for lonely residents
- Health monitoring integration — Wellness trends and alerts
- Virtual reality experiences — Travel and memory experiences
- Robotic integration — Coordination with care robots
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