In the ever-evolving landscape of long-term care, managing costs effectively is crucial for ensuring financial sustainability and delivering high-quality resident care. Rising operational expenses, coupled with increasing regulatory demands and staffing challenges, make it imperative for facilities to adopt smart strategies that optimize resources and maximize efficiency.

This blog post dives into five actionable cost-saving tips that can help your long-term care facility thrive while maintaining exceptional care standards.

Here's a glimpse into the trends that will define long-term care in 2025 and beyond:

1. The Workforce Revolution:

• Addressing the Staffing Crisis: The ongoing staffing shortage remains a significant challenge. Facilities will need to adopt innovative strategies to attract and retain qualified staff, including competitive compensation, flexible work arrangements, and career development opportunities.
  
  
• Fact: The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) estimates a shortage of 300,000 to 400,000 long-term care workers.¹
• Empowering Caregivers: Technology will play a crucial role in empowering caregivers, streamlining workflows, and reducing administrative burdens. Tools like eMAR, automated dispensing systems, and telehealth can free up staff to focus on providing direct resident care.
  
  
• Fact: eMAR implementation has been shown to decrease medication errors by up to 80% in some long-term care settings.²

2. Technology-Driven Care:

• AI and Predictive Analytics: Artificial intelligence (AI) and predictive analytics will increasingly be used to identify residents at risk of falls, hospitalizations, or other adverse events. This allows for proactive interventions and personalized care plans that optimize resident outcomes.
  
  
• Fact: AI-powered predictive analytics can reduce hospital readmissions by up to 20% in long-term care settings.³
• Remote Monitoring and Telehealth: Wearable devices and remote monitoring systems will enable continuous tracking of residents' health status, allowing for timely interventions and reducing the need for hospitalizations. Telehealth will expand access to specialized care and support, especially for residents in rural or underserved areas.
  
  

3. The Rise of Value-Based Care:

• Focus on Outcomes: Reimbursement models are shifting towards value-based care, emphasizing quality outcomes and resident satisfaction. Facilities will need to demonstrate the effectiveness of their care and focus on improving resident well-being.
  
  
• Fact: Value-based care models have been shown to improve quality of care and reduce healthcare costs.⁴
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Data analytics will play a crucial role in measuring outcomes, identifying areas for improvement, and demonstrating value to payers and stakeholders.
  
  

4. Person-Centered Care:

• Individualized Approaches: The focus on person-centered care will continue to grow, with an emphasis on tailoring care plans to meet individual needs, preferences, and goals.
  
  
• Fact: Person-centered care has been linked to improved resident satisfaction, reduced hospitalizations, and better quality of life.⁵
• Resident Empowerment: Residents will be increasingly empowered to make decisions about their care and participate actively in their treatment plans.
  
  

5. The Evolving Role of the Pharmacy:

• Beyond Dispensing: Pharmacies will play an increasingly important role in long-term care, providing not only medication dispensing but also expert consultation, medication management, and support for staff education and training.
  
  
• Fact: Pharmacist interventions can reduce medication errors by up to 80% and improve medication adherence by 15% in older adults.⁶
• Technology Integration: Pharmacies will leverage technology to streamline medication management, enhance safety, and improve communication with long-term care facilities and healthcare providers.
  
  

Skilled Care Pharmacy: Your Partner in Shaping the Future

As the long-term care industry evolves, Skilled Care Pharmacy remains committed to providing innovative solutions and support that empower facilities to thrive. We're not just dispensing medications; we're partnering with you to navigate the challenges and embrace the opportunities that lie ahead.

Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you stay ahead of the curve and provide exceptional care in 2025 and beyond.