Smart Strategies for Adopting AI in Senior Care Settings

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly evolving within the senior care industry. With its ability to streamline workflows, enhance resident safety, optimize scheduling, facilitate communication, and more, senior care communities have a tremendous number of opportunities to take advantage of.

However, integrating new technology, including AI, is not always a seamless process. Just as communities take the time to evaluate and select the right AI solutions for their needs, they must also invest in thoughtful planning and strategic implementation to ensure a smooth and successful transition.

Strategic Planning for AI Implementation

Honghao Deng, CEO and co-founder of Butlr

The planning process for introducing AI technology varies based on the specific type of technology being implemented. For instance, when integrating AI-powered sensors to enhance the resident experience, the process typically unfolds in three key phases. “These phases factor in speed of deployment without disrupting residents, integration with existing technology, and getting staff up and running,” explains Honghao Deng, CEO and co-founder of Butlr.

When installing AI sensors in senior care apartments to alert staff to wandering and potential falls and enable faster responses to care for residents, a three-phase process would consist of the following:

• Phase 1: Quickly install the sensors in apartments. Then start gathering data on resident occupancy and movement.
• Phase 2: During the walk phase, the community sets up the system to receive near real-time alerts for room exits, bathroom visits, and bed and chair exits.
• Phase 3: The final phase, the run phase, involves integrating the nurse call system and getting real-time alerts directly on the nurse call app on a mobile phone or laptop. The data is processed and interpreted by AI, resulting in alerts that staff receive using technology that’s familiar to them. As a result, staff don’t face a learning curve in using new technology.

Eileen Duggan, senior vice president of operations for Maplewood Senior Living

Eileen Duggan, senior vice president of operations for Maplewood Senior Living, explains that her community takes a strategic and resident-centered approach to integrating new AI technology. “Our planning process begins with thorough research and collaboration with trusted technology partners to ensure alignment with our care philosophy and operational goals,” she says.

Key steps to the process include:

• Assessment and needs analysis, including identifying specific challenges AI can address
• Vendor evaluation and partnership, such as selecting vendors that prioritize ethical AI use, resident dignity, and robust data security
• Pilot programs and feedback loops incorporating testing AI solutions in controlled environments and gathering input from staff and residents
• Comprehensive training and support to ensure that staff are comfortable and confident with AI technology before it’s deployed
• Ongoing evaluation and adaptation, including continuously monitoring effectiveness, making data-driven adjustments, and ensuring that AI enhances, not replaces, human care

How to Address Staff and Resident Concerns Around AI

Adopting AI can be met with hesitation due to widespread misconceptions and underlying concerns. The most important step in addressing concerns is active listening and education. “We engage in open conversations with staff and residents, taking the time to understand their perspectives and address their questions,” says Duggan. Concerns around job security are common, as staff may worry that AI will replace their roles. “We emphasize that AI serves as a tool to support caregivers, reduce administrative burden, and improve efficiency,” she explains.

Technology literacy concerns also occur, as staff or residents may not feel comfortable using new tools. To address these concerns, the community provides hands-on training sessions tailored to different learning styles to make technology feel accessible, not intimidating.

When addressing privacy and data security, Duggan prioritizes transparency to build trust and confidence. “We educate our community about how AI solutions are used, how data is protected, and how these tools ultimately benefit residents,” she says. “By fostering a culture of trust and education, we ensure that AI adoption is a collaborative, empowering experience.”

How to Gain Internal Support for AI

Deng encourages senior care communities to start having the conversation around AI technology early and to focus on the end results, including its benefits for residents and staff. “Save the technical details for the evaluation committee and technology experts involved in the decision-making process,” he says. “This keeps all stakeholders in your community involved in ways that are best suited to their strengths and interests.”

Maplewood Senior Living takes a human-first approach to ensure staff and resident buy-in. The community engages staff, residents, and families in discussions before implementation to build trust and excitement. The community shows how AI solutions enhance safety, streamline tasks, and improve well-being so key stakeholders understand the benefits early on in the process. Additionally, by providing hands-on experience, staff and residents can explore AI tools in a low-pressure environment, helping to ease the adoption process.

Developing a Strong Training Approach

A layered approach to training has proven successful for Maplewood Senior Living. Before introducing the AI tools, the community holds information sessions to ensure staff understand why the community is implementing them, as well as how it benefits staff and residents. During interactive workshops and real-world practice, staff get hands-on training to ensure they’re confident using the tools.

Since AI is constantly evolving, the community provides continuous education, refresher courses, and direct access to support teams for troubleshooting, ensuring that staff feel supported. “The goal is to empower staff with knowledge and confidence, ensuring AI is a tool for success, not frustration,” says Duggan.

Deng notes that it’s easiest to start by using AI technology that works in the background, so that it doesn’t disrupt what staff already know while still making their jobs easier. “If the new technology does require training, incentivize staff to come in for a dedicated training session at least a month prior to deployment,” he suggests. That session should include an expert from the technology provider who can answer and anticipate questions that new users often have.

Deng also suggests communities invest in training group leaders to teach other staff members while keeping the technical expert available for the first three months. “From there, be sure the technology vendor has technical support available on an ongoing basis,” he advises.

Strategies to Maximize AI Success

AI implementation should be approached with purpose, and the technology should help communities meet a clear goal. In addition to involving stakeholders early and investing in training and support, Duggan highlights the importance of measuring AI’s impact. “Continuously assess AI’s effectiveness and make adjustments based on real-world data,” she says.

Ultimately, look to AI to support residents and staff, but remember that the tool is an enhancement, not a replacement. “AI is a powerful tool,” says Duggan, “but human connection remains at the heart of senior living.”

Paige Cerulli

Paige Cerulli is a contributing writer to i Advance Senior Care.