This text is sponsored by MatrixCare. On this Voices interview, Senior Housing Information speaks with David Shepard, Head of Gross sales of MatrixCare, to discover the senior residing expertise panorama of 2025, and talk about how his trade expertise has formed his belief in expertise instruments.
Senior Housing Information: What life and profession experiences do you most draw from in your position right now?
David Shepard: I’ve a singular background, having spent a big a part of my profession in senior care operations. I served because the Chief Working Officer in a company managing expert nursing amenities, and different care settings. Moreover, I’ve in depth expertise within the EHR expertise supplier sector, having spent the final 15 years on this discipline. It’s been fascinating to merge these two areas of experience. I constantly apply the insights I gained as an operator to our work within the expertise sector right now, which helps me higher perceive and relate to our prospects’ experiences.
What developments have you ever noticed in how care suppliers are adopting expertise to boost operations and resident care?
I’d describe the trade as sluggish to undertake new expertise, or maybe extra precisely, very cautious. Developments on this sector take for much longer in comparison with the acute care section. Margins are tight, and operators are very cautious with their spending, exercising a excessive degree of warning earlier than making choices.
Nonetheless, current developments point out a rising curiosity in accelerating the adoption of latest applied sciences. This shift is probably going resulting from developments in expertise over the previous few years and a rising recognition amongst operators that these instruments will be useful. There’s now a better openness to contemplate and implement these options.
Are you able to share examples of how expertise has helped suppliers overcome operational hurdles or enhance resident care?
Essentially the most important profit is visibility. The quantity of information obtainable now far exceeds what was accessible in earlier years. Once I communicate with operators about new options and methods to investigate knowledge, it’s frequent to listen to them say, “We’ve been desirous to entry this info we’ve by no means had earlier than.”
This is applicable to each operational and medical elements. On the operational and monetary facet, you may establish developments and analytics, whereas on the medical facet, we’re seeing extra predictive functionalities that stop points. This enables operators to proactively deal with potential issues earlier than they come up.
As expertise continues to evolve, the place do you see essentially the most potential for transformation?
Prior to now 12 to 24 months, we’ve seen a surge of pleasure and curiosity in synthetic intelligence (AI). Initially, folks had been apprehensive, questioning if AI would take over the world or disrupt their companies. Nonetheless, they’re now starting to grasp that AI is a helpful software for analyzing knowledge and serving to to make knowledgeable choices.
There’s a rising curiosity in exploring how AI will be utilized, significantly in automating handbook processes. We’re all the time desirous to have these conversations and information purchasers on how our options can help them.
What are the highest classes that you just’ve realized from organizations which have both struggled with or excelled in tech integration?
I really like this query as a result of it highlights the place my background really comes into play. Once I first transitioned from an operator to the expertise world, I used to be amazed by the huge array of expertise that would have helped me however wasn’t being utilized. It wasn’t resulting from an absence of effort from others to introduce the expertise to me. Relatively, I merely didn’t make investments sufficient time to grasp what was obtainable.
Since then, I’ve noticed numerous organizations implementing new expertise. There’s a transparent distinction between those that totally commit and people who don’t. Organizations that totally commit contain high management, mid-level management and frontline employees, making certain everyone seems to be on board. They are saying, “We’ve invested on this expertise, and we’re going to maximize its performance to enhance care.” In these circumstances, the expertise integration could be very profitable.
Alternatively, some organizations deal with expertise adoption as a mere requirement. They go midway, leading to excessive turnover, inadequate retraining and a lack of knowledge of the expertise’s potential. These organizations typically wrestle.
I all the time evaluate it to giving somebody a Ferrari however driving it like a Ford Focus. Those that totally make the most of the expertise get essentially the most out of it, whereas those that don’t are inclined to face extra challenges.
What recommendation would you give to care suppliers who’re hesitant about integrating new applied sciences into their operations? And are there any sources or methods that you just advocate to assist groups navigate the combination course of successfully?
My recommendation is to interact, ask questions and take time to hear and study. There are answers obtainable that may considerably enhance the lives of your residents. I encourage you to take the time to judge these choices and select suppliers with a long-standing presence within the trade. Search recommendation from those that have your greatest pursuits at coronary heart and may present helpful info that will help you make knowledgeable choices.
End this sentence: “In senior residing expertise, 2025 would be the yr of…”?
Exploration and development.
Editor’s word: This text has been edited for size and readability.
MatrixCare is likely one of the nation’s largest senior residing and post-acute care expertise suppliers, specializing in the complete continuum of care. To learn the way MatrixCare may help your group, go to matrixcare.com.
The Voices Sequence is a sponsored content material program that includes main executives discussing developments, matters and extra shaping their trade in a question-and-answer format. For extra info on Voices, please contact [email protected].
