K4Connect seniors ‘hotline’ receives boost from Bandwidth to assist with pandemic needs

RALEIGH — K4Connect is teaming up with software communications firm Bandwidth to deliver a newly enhanced “hotline” for its staff and residents.

The Raleigh startup, which creates technology solutions for older adults and individuals with disabilities, is leveraging the Bandwidth API and telecom platform to build and manage its K4Community Hotline.

The recorded phone message keeps residents, their families, and community staff constantly updated with the latest, including safety protocols, visitation policies, and other information like dining menus and virtual or socially-distanced activities.

Since the feature’s initial release this past March 20, K4Connect said the hotlines are averaging over 280 calls per day.

“This is how K4Community Hotline was created and we’re glad to see communities valuing it,” said K4Connect CEO and co-founder Scott Moody, in a statement.

“This solution enables us to continue supporting the industry with an incredibly efficient and easy-to-use tool as it prepares for the anticipated second wave of COVID-19 impact in the fall.”

Carl Tarbell, executive director of Masonic Village at Burlington, said the hotline has been a “lifeline” to families, residents, and staff members. “It has given our team the ability to update each group with daily updates and critical information. The impact has been immeasurable,” he said.

Raleigh natives collaborating

In recent years, K4Connect has become one of the fastest-growing companies in the Triangle.

It currently serves tens of thousands of residents at over 800 continuing care, independent living, assisted living and memory care communities across the nation.

Bandwidth is also a big success story from the Triangle. Founded in 1999 by attorney-turned-entrepreneur David Morken in a Raleigh spare bedroom more, the firm went public in 2017 valued at around $300 million. Last year, it hit the $2 billion mark.

Companies like Google, Microsoft, Rover and Zoom use Bandwidth’s APIs to easily embed voice, messaging and 911 access into software and applications.

The Bandwidth team at Nasdaq. Source: Bandwidth.

“Given that they are also Raleigh natives, we were eager to find a way to work together,” said Adam Covati, vice president of Research & Development at Bandwidth.

“We’d been in talks previously, and after K4Connect built the prototype for the hotline, partnering with Bandwidth emerged as a natural choice. Their communities’ need for local numbers made our national coverage incredibly appealing.Plus, they needed a long-term provider they could trust as they continue to grow, and our customer-focused team helped them find the easiest way to get the K4Community Hotline up and running.”