Tips for Boosting Innovation Rate in Elderly Care Facilities and Transitional Care Services
Innovation in Senior Living and Post-Acute Care
It's high time we ditch the old-school approach in healthcare, especially in the realm of senior living and post-acute care. Organizations reluctant to adapt and invest in innovation risk getting left behind. Today'
s seniors are more tech-savvy, and their expectations are skyrocketing when considering a senior living community. On the workforce front, healthcare grapples with a serious labor crisis that impacts post-acute care providers and senior living operators alike. Smart AI tools can be a game-changer in recruitment, efficiency, and care outcomes, but organizations unwilling to innovate risk losing valuable employees to more tech-forward competitors.
Let's talk smart home automation – it's a buzzword we're hearing a lot lately. By incorporating AI, remote patient monitoring, wellness tools, and rote task automation, we can enhance seniors' independence and safety, allowing them to live longer in their current environment. Plus, these smart home devices boost connection with care teams and staff through real-time communication. Providers and operators should seek out solutions that sync with campus systems, promoting self-sufficiency and streamlining staff workloads.
Skilled nursing and long-term care organizations are already embracing innovation by leveraging sensor and remote monitoring in their workflows to address staff shortages. Sensors and wearables also find a place in memory care and independent living to foster a proactive approach to care and wellness. Remote patient monitoring and treatment monitoring continue to expand in the post-acute and senior living sectors. These technologies provide valuable insights, enabling a more proactive lifestyle and an extra revenue stream for organizations. To learn more about RPM and RTM, check out Telehealth.HHS.gov or connect with our resources at CDW.
As healthcare shifts towards value-based care, being proactive rather than reactive in delivering care is essential. AI plays a crucial role here, besides helping automate tedious tasks for both administrative and clinical staff.
Want to attract top-tier residents and clinicians while staying ahead of the innovation curve? Senior living and post-acute care organizations need to grasp how to integrate cutting-edge technology wisely and ensure their IT infrastructure can support innovation. This is a major focus at CDW during the LeadingAge Annual Meeting this year.
Preparing Senior Living and Post-Acute Care Organizations for Innovation
Preparedness for AI adoption varies across the senior living and post-acute care landscape. Many organizations are just taking baby steps in implementing AI-powered solutions, with factors such as technological infrastructure, workforce readiness, regulatory frameworks, and cost playing crucial roles.
While AI is the buzzword of the moment, I see it as a significant opportunity—one to improve operational efficiencies and streamline workflows. However, a smart approach is crucial.
For starters, adopting AI and other emerging technologies should involve leadership, frontline care staff, and IT teams. At CDW, we recommend approaching this journey through the "pillars of care" model, which encompasses the foundations of care, optimizing care, and the future of care.
During the foundational stage, organizations should evaluate their network infrastructure, devices, data storage, security, and reporting structures. Leadership must ensure all foundational elements are in place before moving to the optimizing phase.
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Now that the foundation is solid, senior living and post-acute care organizations can focus on optimizing care by considering data analytics and connected care. Here, they should begin to explore AI, machine learning, virtual care, sensors, wearables, and smart home technology to optimize workflows and make them more efficient. This involves assessing one's IT and determining whether the right workflows and processes are in place. Implementing automation solutions on ineffective processes won't solve anything – first, identify and address the underlying issues. Optimizing existing systems also helps with cost reduction, as resources may be wasted on underutilized applications.
However, the optimization process isn't a quick fix – it demands careful planning and can span multiple years. The journey involves several organizational and financial steps; modernization and innovation don't come cheap, but they're worth the investment.
How are senior care facilities using tech to attract and retain staff?
As labor shortages plague the healthcare industry, senior care facilities are turning to technology to remain competitive in the job market. Here are some best practices for attracting and retaining staff through innovation:
- Offer flexible and convenient scheduling: AI-powered scheduling tools can help reduce administrative burdens, enabling staff to have more control over their schedules, increasing job satisfaction.
- Implement AI-powered training programs: Virtual assistants and AI-powered learning platforms can provide personalized training and streamline the onboarding process, ensuring staff are equipped with the skills they need to excel in their roles.
- Equip staff with modern tools and devices: Tablets, smartphones, and wearables can help staff stay organized, communicate effectively, and deliver efficient care.
By embracing technology, senior care facilities can offer a modern working environment, providing staff with the resources they need to succeed and thrive in their roles. This not only boosts job satisfaction but also helps these facilities attract top talent in the competitive job market.
- The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in senior care facilities can Help streamline workflows, Make care more efficient, and Create a more attractive working environment for staff.
- In the realm of health-and-wellness and mental-health, AI can be leveraged to Monitor seniors' health remotely, Improve mental health outcomes through personalized care plans, and Boost connection with care teams through real-time communication.
By embracing the aforementioned strategies, senior care facilities can remain competitive and provide high-quality care to residents, all while promoting a tech-forward work environment that attracts and retains top talent.
