What’s trending in long-term care?

The world of home care is evolving. You already know many of the reasons why: an aging population, longer life expectancies, a near-universal desire of older adults to age in place, and runaway health care inflation leading to higher staffing costs and service rate hikes. 

Not all industry trends pose challenges, however. In fact, some belong in the good news column, for they point to opportunities for home care agencies to improve care, see better outcomes, and address razor-thin profit margins. Here are three emerging trends in long-term care to keep an eye on. 

With demand for home care services rising, remote patient monitoring (RPM) is making it easier for people to receive care at home. RPM devices, such as smartwatches, fitness trackers, and biosensors, measure and report vital signs such as heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation. They also track other parameters such as glucose levels, body temperature, and respiratory rate. Newer examples include:

• The Bodyport Cardiac Scale, which measures both weight and fluid retention, aiding clinicians in predicting heart failure events by detecting changes in fluid status, which is a key indicator of heart failure worsening. 

• The Dexcom G7 continuous glucose monitor (CGM), which features small sensors that are inserted below the skin, transmitting data to a reader or smartphone app. Some CGM systems even send data to an insulin pump also attached to the user, which automatically adjusts insulin delivery. 

• The Pylo OX1-LTE remote pulse oximeter, a fingertip device that sends blood oxygen saturation levels and pulse rates to the care team. This allows remote monitoring of clients with chronic respiratory conditions, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or asthma, or other potentially serious scenarios, such as COVID-19. 

An obvious advantage of remote monitoring is that by reducing the need to take vital signs in person, RPM can help reduce caregiver workloads and address staffing shortages. But its benefits don’t stop there. More continuous monitoring can also track health status ups and downs to detect anomalies that can call for earlier interventions or changes to the care plan. 

Other less tangible benefits support an agency’s person-centered care climate. Remote monitoring can help honor the preferences of those older adults who are resistant to having visitors in the home, for example. Regular tracking also gives clients insights into their own health metrics, empowering them to more actively engage in their own plan of care.

Aided by AI-powered sensors and devices, AI mobile or desktop apps use algorithms and machine learning to analyze data, predict health trends, automate tasks, and personalize care plans. The following examples found online indicate the range of what is available:

• care.ai bills itself as a “smart care” platform in which AI-powered sensors and high-resolution cameras in the home feed into a desktop command center. The sensors grow smarter about a client’s routine, improving the data reported. The command center allows the agency to see which clients need specialized attention, while automatically determining the right mix of telemedicine and in-person visits. 

• Careswitch is a home care agency management system that utilizes an AI virtual assistant named “Looper.” Working with data that is either entered, dictated, or uploaded, Looper can perform a variety of tasks, including care plan generation based on assessments; translating care plans into another language; mapping available caregivers for a given client; scheduling caregivers; and analyzing financial data. 

• Sensi, a virtual care agent, places three audio monitors in a client’s home and uses audio analytics to “learn” their daily routines over an initial two-week period. With a comprehensive understanding of a care recipient’s physical, emotional, and cognitive needs, Sensi can then detect anomalies and alert the agency – for example, if a client spends 25 minutes in the shower instead of their usual 15, or if monitors pick up sounds of distress or difficulty, indicating risk of fall or injury. 

Especially relevant to providers of person-centered care, some AI-powered software can continually analyze client data and past health trends to tailor care plans to ensure the most effective and relevant care, while also factoring in client needs, preferences, and lifestyle. Platforms such as care.ai can also perform predictive analysis of collected data to alert caregivers of any potential for adverse events, such as falls or infections, or if a client is not taking medications as scheduled.

One concern often cited about AI is that it replaces the human touch that is at the core of quality aging care. However, being able to adjust a person’s care in real time speaks to the very essence of person-centered care. By supporting risk reduction and earlier intervention, AI can also promote greater safety and help prevent unnecessary ER visits and hospitalizations. Think of AI as a complement to the excellent care your staff already provides, not a replacement.

Another new trend in long-term care is taking place on the financial side: Home care agencies are taking a harder look at their rate structures. That’s according to the recently released Genworth Cost of Care Survey 2024. Two-thirds of home care agencies responding to the survey said they now charge the same rate for home health aide and homemaker services. Historically, the less clinical homemaker tasks have demanded lower rates. According to the survey, this trend is driving the outsized 10% increase in homemaker services costs seen in 2024.

Although the survey didn’t explore what is behind rate compression, one possible reason is a blurring of lines between home health aide and homemaker services, as older adults aging in place have more complex needs. A compressed rate that recognizes this may mean agencies are being more fairly compensated for a higher level of service many of their caregivers end up providing regardless of their job title. 

Home care agencies tend to be entrepreneurial by nature and are accustomed to dealing with change. Knowing which trends to adopt can be an art unto itself, however. Reaching out to trusted colleagues who are trying new strategies, such as incorporating AI, can provide valuable insight not only into what is working but how to avoid the pitfalls. Look into what industry thought leaders are saying as well. Keeping on top of trends is essential in a rapidly changing long-term care environment.