Current Focus of Senior and Post-Acute Care Facilities on Key Technology Goals Today
In the face of an aging population and persistent staff shortages, senior living and post-acute care organisations are turning to technology to improve care delivery and address these challenges. CDW, a trusted technology partner, is playing a significant role in this digital transformation.
CDW assists providers and operators in setting three- and five-year strategies, starting with fundamental requirements like infrastructure and security, then moving to optimising operational efficiencies. Their approach is tailored to the needs of organisations, whether they have an innovative culture or are just starting to modernise.
One of the key technology solutions being adopted is the implementation of comprehensive digital resident health records. These records enhance care coordination, improve resident satisfaction, and provide a foundation for further innovations. Telehealth platforms, AI-powered safety systems, smart building infrastructure, and remote patient monitoring are other solutions being utilised to improve care delivery and safety.
To mitigate staff shortages, senior living and post-acute care organisations are leveraging technology to streamline staffing processes, improve scheduling efficiency, and reduce administrative burdens. Ongoing training, workforce innovations such as AI and data analytics, and wellness-focused models are also being implemented to enhance technology adoption and care delivery efficiency.
As the U.S. population of adults aged 80 and older is expected to increase by nearly 28% by 2030 and almost 80% by 2040, it's crucial that technologies are customizable to each care level but also integrate with different systems for each level of care. This ensures consistency in care for older adults while allowing for scalability as the need grows.
Technologies such as automation of duplicative tasks, touchless vitals monitoring, and AI-enhanced remote patient monitoring are being used to reduce the burden of paperwork for care staff and enhance care delivery. Furthermore, senior living and post-acute care organisations are focusing on integration, with a priority on platforms that allow for expansion as a company and minimise the number of dashboards and systems staff must interact with.
Collaborating with CDW can help senior living organisations with campuses that offer multiple levels of services and care, such as independent living, assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing, and long-term care, to manage their technology needs efficiently. CDW offers support in identifying the right technology solutions, implementing them, and managing them if needed.
This article is part of HealthTech's MonITor blog series, shedding light on how senior living and post-acute care organisations can navigate their technology journey with the help of a trusted partner like CDW.
- Science has a significant role in the development of technologies that improve care delivery in senior living and post-acute care organizations.
- Workplace-wellness strategies, including fitness-and-exercise programs, are being integrated into staff schedules to promote a healthy lifestyle.
- Medical-conditions like chronic-diseases, respiratory-conditions, and digestive-health issues demand special attention, and technology is being used to monitor and manage these conditions effectively.
- Eye-health, hearing, and skin-conditions are also being addressed through various therapies-and-treatments, supported by technological advancements.
- Mental-health is another area where technology is making a difference, with AI-powered therapies and telehealth platforms becoming increasingly popular.
- Men's-health is also a focus, with technologies like AI-based diagnostics and personalized health-and-wellness apps gaining traction.
- Skin-care products and procedures, developed with the aid of technology, are providing effective solutions for various skin-conditions.
- Senior living organizations are adopting AI and data analytics to streamline operations and make more data-driven decisions.
- Aging brings on neurological-disorders like Alzheimer's and dementia, for which technology offers solutions like smart homes and wearable devices for monitoring.
- Lifestyle choices, including fashion-and-beauty, food-and-drink, and home-and-garden preferences, are being factored into the technology solutions designed for senior living.
- Data-and-cloud-computing technologies are critical for storing, managing, and analyzing the vast amounts of data generated in senior care settings.
- Artificial-Intelligence is being applied to a wide range of areas, from predicting patient outcomes to enhancing patient interaction and engagement.
- Relationships between residents, families, and staff are being strengthened through technologies like video conferencing and social media platforms.
- Pets are also being considered in senior living technology solutions, with AI-powered pet feeders and virtual pet visits being offered.
- Travel for family visits and other purposes is facilitated by apps and platforms that help coordinate scheduling and transportation.
- Sports, including basketball, are being used as part of fitness-and-exercise programs for seniors, with technologies like sports-analysis platforms providing insights into performance.
- Sports-betting is not a primary focus, but there may be an opportunity for responsible gambling as an entertainment option for seniors.
- Technology has the potential to revolutionize the entire continuum of care, from preventive care and wellness programs to therapies and treatments, and to improve the quality of life for seniors and those who care for them.
