Benedictine Living Community looks to update outdated wi-fi system
The Benedictine Living Community needs a new wi-fi system and has raised $2,000 of the necessary $18,000 for the project thus far. Staff photo by Jonny Clubb
In a world becoming more digital each day, a strong connection to the internet is increasingly essential for everyone–including seniors.
The Benedictine Living Community in Owatonna needs an updated wi-fi system and is hoping to make those updates soon. According to Lisa Kern, executive director, the system has not been significantly updated since the community’s current location was built 11 years ago.
New wi-fi will benefit both residents and staff in a variety of ways.
“We use wi-fi every day for services,” Kern said. “Our therapy team goes around with their tablets when they’re providing care and…charting. Our nurses use laptops…for giving medications. It’s essential for our services to make sure (the wi-fi) is as efficient as possible.”
Residents also use the wi-fi network daily for communication and entertainment. Kern said that each resident is unique in how much they use the wi-fi, which means that the needed bandwidth varies day to day. However, Kern reiterated that a new wi-fi system is a “basic structural need” that must be updated.
The planned project will bring in new wi-fi routers and increase the total number of routers in the building. Kern said that one of the main goals of the project is to get rid of “dead zones” in the current system to make caregivers more efficient and give residents a better care experience.
The wi-fi project will cost approximately $18,000, and the Benedictine Living Community needs donations to make it a reality. Kern said that about $2,000 has been raised thus far; she hopes to place an order for new equipment around the beginning of next year.
In a letter to Owatonna community members, Kern said that the Benedictine Living Community is “committed to enriching the lives of the seniors” they serve and that the Benedictine Living Community relies “on the generosity of our…community to help bridge the gap between our financial reality and our dreams for a more purposeful and fulfilling life for our residents.”
Those who would like to support the wi-fi project can donate online at benedictineowatonna.org/Foundation or drop off a donation in person, 2255 30th St. NW, Owatonna.