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When a senior care facility in Michigan introduced an AI-powered dining robot to its staff and residents, reactions were mixed. Most residents embraced the innovation and celebrated the modernity of their future-focused establishment. Staff, on the other hand, were hesitant and concerned that it might replace their roles.
This tension is common with AI adoption across healthcare. But when thoughtfully implemented, AI-powered tools can serve as workforce extenders. The technology can ease physical strain on caregivers, reduce repetitive tasks, and improve efficiency. This is particularly important for an aging workforce that may find the physical demands of their jobs particularly taxing.
AI’s role in addressing healthcare workforce crisis
AI’s role in healthcare and senior care is expanding by the minute, and for good reason: The American healthcare industry is facing severe workforce shortages, particularly among nurses, primary care physicians and mental health professionals.
Over the next 10 years, these shortages will worsen, especially in rural and underserved areas, as the global population ages and healthcare needs grow. The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) projects a nationwide shortage of 187,130 physicians by 2037.
In senior care, the staffing crisis is especially acute. Burnout rates are climbing. Many new workers lack training, while seasoned employees struggle with the physical toll of caregiving. The need for technology-driven support systems has never been greater. AARP reported that since March 2020, U.S. nursing homes have lost approximately 235,000 jobs, equating to about 15% of the workforce. This decline has led to over a fifth of nursing homes nationwide reporting insufficient staff.
Addressing the staffing crisis in senior living requires a multifaceted approach, including improving compensation, enhancing training programs, and integrating supportive technologies to ensure quality care for residents. Make no mistake, AI is a core component of the solution.
Reducing burnout and enhancing clinical workflows
AI-driven assistants are already eliminating redundant tasks, reducing administrative burden, and in some cases, delivering a level of precision that surpasses that of doctors. For example, ambient listening tools automate documentation by recording and summarizing patient visits, drafting referrals, and coding visits for insurance. By reducing providers’ late-night charting, these tools help address provider burnout and free up time for direct patient care.
AI imaging is also providing a level of tumor detection previously unimaginable, easing strain on radiologists and pathologists through more accurate diagnostics for improved clinical decision-making. Collaborative robots (cobots) are improving workflows by fetching medical records, patient belongings, and medications, enabling nurses and other clinical staff to spend more time focused on caring for patients.
Yet for AI to be widely accepted, whether in senior care, hospital, or outpatient settings, stakeholders must be involved in its selection and implementation. Imposing AI without staff or patient buy-in will inevitably lead to resistance.
How AI enhances senior well-being
While technology is useful for addressing workforce shortages, it’s also transforming care itself. Beyond assisting staff, AI-driven technology is helping seniors stay sharper, safer, and more independent for longer.
One tool making a difference amongst this population is a Swiss-designed “exer-gaming” device that helps seniors improve cognitive function, balance, and reflexes. A senior living facility that ran a pilot with 36 residents over eight weeks saw cognitive errors drop by 30-50%, while response times improved dramatically.
For some residents, the technology has been life-changing. A woman with Parkinson’s worked on the machine for a year. Her gait became smoother, and her reflexes improved. By the end, she could do some of the exercises without holding on, which was something she never thought she’d be able to do again.
Digital health tools are also boosting confidence and independence, reducing the likelihood of falls and hospitalizations. However, maintaining engagement can be a challenge. Like with any fitness routine, people start strong but lapse over time. The key to success is ongoing encouragement, social motivation, and the formation of new habits.
AI-enabled technology is also making strides in medication management. AI-powered medication management tools have the potential to support independence and reduce staff workload. In senior care settings, these tools can improve both adherence and outcomes, especially when integrated thoughtfully into daily routines
Lessons for entrepreneurs and innovators
For startups, tech companies, and non-profits looking to make an impact in healthcare-related settings, there are key principles to keep in mind:
– Design with dignity in mind
Patients, including seniors, often reject technologies that feel clinical or infantilizing. Sleek and discreet designs, such as high-tech walkers that feel more like personal accessories than medical devices, are more likely to be embraced.
– Focus on AI that enhances independence
Across age groups, patients want to maintain control over their lives. The best AI solutions enable self-sufficiency rather than passive monitoring. For example, AI-powered autonomous wheelchairs can give patients greater mobility and allow them to move freely without relying on caregivers.
– Test and co-create with senior living facilities
Too many tech companies design without real-world input. Engaging caregivers, clinicians, and patients early in the process leads to better outcomes and adoption. The best AI solutions strike a balance between safety and freedom.
Opportunities for more innovative and human-centered design in healthcare settings extend far beyond seniors. A 2024 paper highlighted the need for better options for patients reliant on the 2.8 million IV poles currently in use in U.S. hospitals. Younger patients would also benefit from autonomous wheelchairs, meal-delivering robots, portable user-friendly diagnostic devices, and other technology to improve their in-hospital and at-home experiences.
Engaging patients and caregivers in conversations about new technologies is essential. Both patients and healthcare staff should have the opportunity to share their impressions. While they may not always have the same preferences, the best tech solutions will enhance the daily experience of both.
The future of AI in healthcare and senior care
AI has already begun to disrupt healthcare and will continue to change the way it is delivered. Senior care innovations offer a glimpse of what is to come while providing useful lessons for the broader healthcare sector. Successful AI-enabled technologies will improve outcomes, ease burdens, and increase autonomy.
However, technology alone will never be the solution. Successful adoption will depend on thoughtful implementation, stakeholder involvement, and a commitment to preserving dignity, autonomy, and high-quality human interactions. Patients, seniors, and caregivers alike must be active participants in shaping these innovations to ensure they address real-world needs.
By embracing these principles, we can help build a healthcare system that is more efficient, compassionate, and enduring. For entrepreneurs, especially those targeting senior care, the opportunity is massive. With a rapidly aging population, the demand for innovative and dignity-preserving AI solutions has never been higher.
Photo: Thai Noipho, Getty Images
Leslie Pascaud is a marketing and communications leader with a track record of driving business transformation for global consumer goods, B2B/digital health and nonprofit health organizations. She has held operational leadership and strategic consulting roles in the U.S. and Europe, spearheading initiatives that radically accelerated brand visibility, relevance and revenue growth. Leslie co-founded a purpose branding practice at Kantar Consulting and is currently an Advisor at Kinetic Strategic Consulting Group.
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