The AI Revolution Series – How AI Can Be Implemented in Home Health and Home Care
AI can be used in a variety of applications in the home health and home care industries
THE VBP Blog
May 2, 2024 – Artificial Intelligence (AI) can revolutionize the home health and home care industries. As technology continues to advance, AI’s role in enhancing the delivery of care in the comfort of one’s home is becoming larger. By leveraging AI and its vast capabilities, providers can offer more tailored and responsive services, adapt care plans in real-time, and improve outcomes for consumers.
In the first two blogs in our AI Revolution Series, we gave an overview of the applications of AI in healthcare, as well as the concerns with implementation. In this blog, the third in our series, we will look at how AI is contributing to the home health and home care sectors. As advocates, we see that the potential for positive change in these industries is immense and are excited by the prospect of improving care for those looking to age and receive care in the comfort of their home. However, we need to ensure that human interaction and consumer privacy remain at the forefront. To learn more about our advocate’s perspective, check out our full write up at the end of the blog to hear more of our thoughts!
Predictive Analysis Shows Potential for the Home Health Industry
AI can enhance the home care and home health industries through innovative solutions that improve care delivery and operational efficiency. The role of AI in home health and home care is broad and ranges from simple things like medication reminders to more sophisticated monitoring software and systems.
One of the most significant impacts of AI in home health care is through predictive analytics. Predictive analysis involves analyzing vast datasets to determine what is likely to happen. This means that by using data, AI can identify patterns and predict health deteriorations before they become critical. An AI system can also recommend adjustments in medication or therapy based on patterns it detects in the data, such as blood sugar levels in individuals with diabetes or sleep patterns in those with insomnia. This allows for timely interventions which helps manage chronic conditions.
The great thing about this is that AI tools can forecast potential health issues before they become serious. For example, AI can monitor an elderly individual’s mobility data collected via sensors and identify early signs of decreased activity levels that might indicate emerging health issues like joint pain or worsening heart conditions. This allows healthcare providers to reach out and intervene earlier, potentially preventing hospitalizations.
AI-Enabled Monitoring Increases Safety for Home Health and Home Care Consumers
Predictive analysis goes hand in hand with advancing monitoring for home health and home care consumers. Wearable devices and in-home sensors or cameras can continuously monitor vital signs and detect anomalies. They can then send alerts to caregivers or medical professionals when intervention is necessary. Examples include AI from firms like EarlySense which provides incident alerting, or VirtuSense for fall avoidance. VirtuSense can detect with 98% accuracy when an individual intends to get out of bed, 30 to 65 seconds before they do.
Other technologies can alert when a fall occurs and send an alert to caregivers. This real-time monitoring and alerts ensure immediate response to potential health issues and provide peace of mind to individuals and their families. The same is true for smart medication reminders that remind individuals to take their medications, which is essential for those with complex medication schedules.
Another example of how far patient monitoring has come is the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) which utilizes an AI-enabled patient monitoring program. Individuals with conditions like diabetes or a heart condition are provided a tablet upon discharge. They use the tablet or their mobile device to provide health information to UPMC, and their tablet also monitors their blood pressure, weight, and oxygen levels to determine if they are at risk for readmission. If needed, their providers are contacted so they can intervene either via phone or a nurse visit. The first year of the study found that those enrolled in the program were 76% less likely to be readmitted within 90 days of discharge than those without remote monitoring.
This type of monitoring is essential in the home health industry, because it allows consumers to receive services from the comfort of their own home, while still receiving constant monitoring and assistance should any issues arise.
Utilizing AI to Create Personalized Care Plans and Provide Virtual Assistance
In addition, AI can enhance the personalization of care plans. By leveraging data on health history, preferences, and responses to previous treatments, AI can assist healthcare providers in developing customized care plans that are more effective and tailored to individual needs. It is also helpful for health plans regarding population health and chronic disease management. Through AI, health systems can identify risk factors within a patient population and create an effective strategy for risk mitigation. Using this data, providers can develop alternative plans and a mix of services that consumers can choose from. This enables them to have more control and choice over their care, which is instrumental in value-based care.
Another benefit of AI is the ability to provide virtual health assistants. This is critical for individuals receiving care at home as these AI-enabled assistants can provide daily support like medication reminders and dietary restriction reminders, as well as walking them through wound care instructions or exercises. They can also provide some companionship, which many older individuals are lacking.
AI has many applications in the home health and home care field, but the ones listed above are just the tip of the iceberg. There is also the ability to create smart homes that allow individuals to live more comfortably in their home as they age, as well as chatbots to provide some companionship for those living alone. AI can also be used in the behavioral health arena, as well as for addressing health related social needs, which we will cover in more depth in our next blog!
Advocates Perspective
The utilization of AI in the home health and home care sectors can make care more accessible and efficient, while increasing consumer independence From allowing individuals to live more comfortably and safely at home with monitoring and smart home technology, to providers being able to create more personalized care plans, AI can have a transformative impact on the healthcare industry. However, the journey towards fully realizing the benefits of AI in home health and home care is not without its challenges. The need for investment in technology infrastructure and the importance of balancing AI with the irreplaceable aspects of human interaction are critical considerations. The good news for consumers though, is that this integration can mean receiving care that is not only tailored to their unique needs but also delivered in a way that enhances their overall quality of life. However, we also need to ensure that privacy concerns are addressed, and consumer data is viewed in aggregate only.
Keep an eye out for next week’s blog in our AI miniseries as we dive into the benefits that using AI in home health and home care provides for consumers!
Onward!
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About the Author
Fady Sahhar brings over 30 years of senior management experience working with major multinational companies including Sara Lee, Mobil Oil, Tenneco Packaging, Pactiv, Progressive Insurance, Transitions Optical, PPG Industries and Essilor (France).
His corporate responsibilities included new product development, strategic planning, marketing management, and global sales. He has developed a number of global communications networks, launched products in over 45 countries, and managed a number of branded patented products.
About the Co-Author
Mandy Sahhar provides experience in digital marketing, event management, and business development. Her background has allowed her to get in on the ground floor of marketing efforts including website design, content marketing, and trade show planning. Through her modern approach, she focuses on bringing businesses into the new digital age of marketing through unique approaches and focused content creation. With a passion for communications, she can bring a fresh perspective to an ever-changing industry. Mandy has an MBA with a marketing concentration from Canisius College.