Optima Living continues our leadership in senior safety. At Aster Gardens—our newly-opened community in Sherwood Park, Alberta—we have installed “Safe Entry Stations” which are capable of detecting COVID-19 symptoms with 98% accuracy in a matter of seconds.

Click below to to watch reports from CTV News Edmonton and CTV National News, and to read articles from CTV News Edmonton and Sherwood Park News about the COVID-19 scanner.

The artificial intelligence-based thermal scanner operates like a walk-through airport metal detector. When residents, employees, and visitors enter Aster Gardens, a no-touch temperature reading and a facial scan are taken to detect COVID-19 symptoms as well as other infectious diseases and viruses.

Karen Fitzgerald, Aster Gardens General Manager, said the scanner is one more safeguard that’s been put in place to keep residents and others safe.

“As someone who has devoted most of my career to senior living communities, I can tell you that even before COVID-19, any contagious virus, such as the flu, which comes around every fall and winter, has been a major concern,” she said.

That’s why, she explained, a great deal of innovative thinking and care went into building Aster Gardens to reduce the chances of transmitting diseases or viruses. There are several hand sanitizer stations located on each floor, toilets are motion activated reducing the need to touch any surfaces, and suites have air exchange units. Each floor also has many different common areas that promote small group social gatherings.

Optima Living developed a partnership with Alberta-based company Connectus Global to use their integrated leading artificial intelligence (AI) technology powered by Predict Medix. Connectus Global’ s AI thermal scanner and visitor management technology has already been successfully used by national sports organizations and businesses for the same purpose.

“At Aster Gardens, we’re extremely pleased to use such ground-breaking technology and lead the way for other seniors’ communities that might consider using it,” said Ali Shivji, Principal of Optima Living. “Optima Living’s focus is always on creating quality, meaningful lives for residents who live in any of our 18 senior living communities in western Canada.”

Aster Gardens is currently offering COVID-safe tours. Learn more by contacting Community Leasing Coordinator Linda Portsmouth at 780-902-7837.

Click below to read "Aster Gardens seniors living community deploys AI COVID-19 scanner to keep residents safe," the press release that resulted in coverage from CTV News Edmonton.