Last month, The Bliss Group gathered a group of healthcare industry leaders to discuss how the U.S. healthcare system must evolve to meet the needs of a rapidly aging population. The conversation focused on the shift from reactive disease treatment, or “sickcare,” to proactive health maintenance, termed “healthcare.” This transformation is driven by both demographic imperatives and technological innovations. Our panel was composed of leaders from the senior care industry: providing a holistic view of the industry: Luis Cunha, Chief Strategy Officer of Vis-Á-Vis Health, Dr. Julius Bruch, CEO of Isaac Health, and Debra Corbett, VP for Care Management Solutions at VNS Health all spoke, and our panel was moderated by Lauren Flynn Kelly of AIS Health, an MMIT company.
Today, healthcare providers confront unprecedented challenges in delivering quality care to an increasingly aging population, and health systems are struggling with the costs of treating this demographic. Medicare spending currently approaches one trillion dollars annually, a figure that demands immediate attention as America’s senior population is projected to reach 78 million by 2040. This necessitates innovative solutions that balance quality care with cost management.
The panel highlighted several key technological innovations transforming senior care. Luis Cunha emphasized how telehealth is dismantling traditional barriers to access. “Expanding telehealth alongside specialists, such as memory care and dementia specialists, is essential to ensuring seniors can obtain care and treatment when they need it,” Cunha noted. This is particularly important during overnight and weekend hours when in-person medical staff may be limited, especially in the skilled nursing facility setting.
Advanced predictive modeling is transforming end-of-life care by identifying patients who could benefit from palliative care earlier in their journey. This technology allows for more informed decisions and enhances experiences for both patients and their families. The use of artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms has demonstrated promising results in predicting patient outcomes and recognizing intervention points before critical health events occur.
The panel emphasized the importance of addressing fundamental safety concerns, particularly falls, which remain the leading cause of fatal injuries among older adults. Implementing preventive measures and monitoring systems can significantly reduce these incidents and their associated costs.
In the memory care sector, Dr. Julius Bruch emphasized the substantial shortage of specialists, noting that even in healthcare-rich areas like New York City, “it can take up to a year to connect with a dementia specialist.” He advocated for technology-enabled solutions that allow patients to see a specialist within days, not months, stating, “Utilizing technology and embracing telehealth to provide enhanced care allows for a truly patient-centered approach.” This shortage is particularly alarming as the number of Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease is projected to more than double by 2050.
The healthcare industry faces significant challenges in recruiting and retaining qualified caregivers and healthcare workers. Debra Corbett emphasized the importance of comprehensive support for healthcare workers through competitive compensation packages, robust benefits programs, ongoing training opportunities, and mental health support services. The industry is seeing a particular shortage of specialized geriatric care providers.
“Building a fleet of top-performing caregivers requires us to constantly invest in our people, providing competitive pay, benefits, and training opportunities that allow our workers to be the best they can, but we also have to support our workers’ mental health and make sure they are healthy in their own lives,” Corbett explained. This investment in workforce development has shown direct correlations with improved patient outcomes and reduced staff turnover rates.
The panel identified readmission rates as a key metric for measuring intervention success. Medication management emerged as a critical focus area, with Corbett noting that “on average, Medicare patients are prescribed five medications, which can be confusing and lead to accidental risks.” Studies indicate that medication errors represent a significant portion of preventable hospital readmissions among seniors. To tackle this issue, the future of senior healthcare depends on integrated care strategies, including telehealth services, remote patient monitoring, strategic home visits, and coordinated care management. Additionally, technological advancements, such as AI-driven medication tracking systems and smart dispensing devices, present promising solutions to mitigate medication errors, ultimately enhancing patient outcomes and reducing system-wide costs.
The transformation of healthcare for America’s aging population requires a multifaceted approach combining technological innovation, workforce development, and system-wide coordination. Success will depend on:
-
- Continued expansion of telehealth and remote monitoring capabilities
- Enhanced support systems for healthcare workers
- Improved care coordination and medication management
- Strategic implementation of predictive analytics
- Focus on preventive care and early intervention
- Development of specialized geriatric care programs
- Integration of mental health services with physical health care
As healthcare providers and technology companies continue to collaborate, the focus remains on creating more efficient, effective, and patient-centered care delivery models that can meet the growing demands of an aging population while maintaining system sustainability.
If you are interested in a deeper dive into the future of the healthcare industry or are curious as to how this aligns with your business, connect with The Bliss Group’s Healthcare Practice Leader Alexis Odesser to discuss how this could inform your marcomms strategy in 2025.
Photo by Google DeepMind via Pexels
