The hallways at this year’s Argentum Senior Living Conference were buzzing with more than just networking energy. As we walked the expo floor and connected with industry leaders, three critical topics dominated nearly every conversation we had.
The Big Three Conversations That Defined Argentum: What’s Keeping Senior Living Leaders Up at Night
1. PSTN Shutdown: The Deadline That’s No Longer Theoretical
Perhaps the most urgent conversation was around the PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) shutdown. What once felt like a distant deadline is now a pressing reality that’s forcing immediate action.
The anxiety in these conversations was palpable. Senior living communities that have relied on traditional phone systems for decades are suddenly facing a complete infrastructure overhaul. The questions weren’t just technical – they were existential: “How do we maintain life safety systems?” “What about our emergency call systems?” “How do we ensure 911 connectivity during the transition?”
2. Regulatory and Compliance: Navigating an Ever-Changing Landscape
If there’s one thing that unites every senior living professional, it’s the shared experience of trying to keep up with regulatory changes. The compliance conversation at Argentum was particularly intense this year.
From state-level requirements that seem to change monthly to federal regulations that impact everything from staffing ratios to technology implementations, operators are feeling the pressure. The complexity isn’t just in understanding the rules – it’s in implementing systems that can adapt as regulations evolve.
We heard phrases like “regulatory whiplash” and “compliance fatigue” more times than we could count. The message was clear: the industry needs solutions that don’t just meet today’s requirements but can flex with tomorrow’s changes.
3. Cellular Connectivity for Back Haul: The Infrastructure Revolution
Gone are the days when a basic internet connection could handle the demands of modern senior living communities. The conversation has shifted dramatically toward cellular connectivity for back haul solutions, and for good reason.
Senior living operators are grappling with the reality that their residents expect seamless connectivity for everything from telehealth appointments to video calls with family. Traditional broadband simply isn’t cutting it anymore when you’re managing multiple buildings across sprawling campuses.
The questions we heard repeatedly: “How do we ensure reliable connectivity across our entire property?” and “What happens when our primary internet goes down during a critical health emergency?”
Why These Conversations Matter
These aren’t just technical challenges – they’re fundamental shifts that will define the future of senior living. Each conversation we had revealed a deeper truth: the industry is at an inflection point where technology isn’t just nice to have, it’s mission-critical.
The communities that thrive in the coming years will be those that view these challenges not as obstacles, but as opportunities to build more resilient, connected, and compliant operations.
Your Questions, Our Answers
We captured dozens of specific questions during our time at Argentum – the kind of detailed, practical questions that only come from operators dealing with these challenges every day. Rather than let these valuable insights get lost in conference notes, we’ve compiled them into a comprehensive video discussion.
Ready to dive deeper into the solutions that came up in these critical conversations?
From practical implementation tips to strategic planning advice, we’re sharing the insights that could make the difference between struggling with these transitions and mastering them.
What questions are keeping you up at night? Drop us a line – these conversations are too important to end when the conference does.
