Senior Care undergoes continuous evolution in the digital realm, as evident at the LeadingAge 2022 conference.
The 2022 LeadingAge Annual Meeting + EXPO, held in Denver from October 16-19, brought together industry leaders to discuss the evolving technology landscape in senior care. One of the key figures emphasizing the importance of digital transformation was Peter Kress, senior vice president and CIO at Acts Retirement-Life Communities.
Kress highlighted the need for senior care organisations to prioritise health IT and engage with MACH architecture, which involves microservices, an API-first approach, cloud-native Software as a Service, and "headless" technology. He also suggested that looking at use cases from the past five years might not be as helpful as many senior care leaders think.
Another influential speaker was Dusanka Delovska-Trajkova, CIO of Ingleside. She encouraged senior care leaders to pressure vendors to deliver technology that exists in other sectors, stating that senior care is 20 years behind companies like Amazon. Delovska-Trajkova also recommended getting buy-in from the CEO and board for digital transformation, as it's not solely an IT project.
She also shared her insights on the benefits of remote work in senior care due to the pandemic. Residents and staff are being trained by their experiences with apps like Grubhub and Uber, according to Delovska-Trajkova. The increased demand by seniors for smart devices and integration in senior care was also a result of the pandemic.
Jim Michels, who started his role by creating an environment for aging innovation and health tech at The Army Distaff Foundation and Knollwood, also emphasized the need for collaboration in digital transformation success. He lobbied to review and rewrite part of Knollwood's charters to create an environment for success in digital transformation.
The panel titled "Digital Transformation in Aging Services" was moderated by Majd Alwan. The discussion focused on the importance of a structured, strategic approach to digital transformation in senior care.
To successfully implement digital transformation, senior care leaders should:
- Assess current state and identify gaps.
- Define clear goals and objectives.
- Engage stakeholders.
- Choose appropriate technologies.
- Integrate systems and workflows.
- Address barriers.
By following these steps, senior care leaders can overcome common digital transformation barriers and deliver better quality of life and care outcomes for older adults.
Digital transformation in senior care is vital for improving resident outcomes, operational efficiency, and responding to rising demands and staffing shortages. It enables early intervention through smart monitoring, personalized care plans, and stronger communication between residents, families, and caregivers. Technologies like AI-powered analytics, wearable devices, and automation streamline administrative work, enhance caregiver scheduling, and improve patient safety and independence.
Follow updates on the LeadingAge Annual Meeting + EXPO at @HealthTechMag on Twitter and #LeadingAge22. It's important to remember that digital transformation in senior care often requires a culture change within the organisation.
- The digital transformation in senior care is a hot topic in the health-and-wellness sector, as it can significantly improve resident outcomes and operational efficiency.
- Successful digital transformation in senior care organizations requires a structured, strategic approach, as highlighted during the "Digital Transformation in Aging Services" panel.
- Senior care leaders need to assess their current state, identify gaps, and define clear goals and objectives when embarking on a digital transformation journey.
- Engaging stakeholders, choosing appropriate technologies, integrating systems and workflows, and addressing barriers are essential steps in the digital transformation process.
- By doing so, senior care leaders can overcome common digital transformation barriers and deliver better quality of life and care outcomes for older adults.
- One of the key figures at the LeadingAge Annual Meeting + EXPO, Peter Kress, emphasized the importance of engaging with MACH architecture for digital transformation.
- Dusanka Delovska-Trajkova, CIO of Ingleside, encouraged senior care leaders to pressure vendors to deliver technology that exists in other sectors, arguing that senior care is 20 years behind companies like Amazon.
- Jim Michels highlighted the need for collaboration in digital transformation success, advocating for a culture change within senior care organizations.
- The increased demand by seniors for smart devices and integration in senior care was a result of the pandemic, according to Delovska-Trajkova.
- Wealth management and investment opportunities in the senior care sector can be explored through technologies like AI-powered analytics and automation, as they streamline administrative work and improve patient safety.
- In the field of education and self-development, digital transformation can lead to skills training and career development opportunities for both staff and residents.
- The lifestyle benefits of digital transformation in senior care include personal growth through learning new technology and improved relationships with families and caregivers.
- Travel, fashion, and sports can be integrated into senior care through smart devices and apps, offering residents new experiences and opportunities for enjoyment and engagement.
