Senior living leaders see collecting and using data effectively as a priority as the industry evolves, and a LeadingAge CAST member has emphasized the importance of interoperability.

Interoperability among CRMs and EHRs remains a challenge, said experts interviewed for “Data and Demographics: Where 3 Senior Living Execs See Biggest Changes Ahead.” Yardi®, a LeadingAge Bronze Partner with CAST Focus, is developing a new iteration of its Voyager platform to enable senior living organizations to share data among departments and address this issue.

The article quoted Fil Southerland, Yardi’s director of health care solutions and a CAST Commissioner, who said this solution would enable senior living organizations to capture and act on needed data. For example, Yardi has worked with Harbor Retirement Associates to integrate various software platforms and increase communication for users.

Effective data usage can also provide other opportunities: It can enable organizations to serve the middle market by supporting workforce needs and can attract larger funding partners.

CAST Resources to Support Effective Data Use

A primary way to meet changing business and market requirements is through using digital technologies to create new—or modify existing—organizational processes, culture, and resident and staff experiences. The process of doing so is called digital transformation, and a LeadingAge CAST resource points the way.

The Digital Transformation in Aging Services White Paper defines digital transformation and its benefits to aging services, then presents multiple pointers on how to achieve this transformation. As a preview, while technology platforms are a key element, digital transformation is more than installing a single solution. It begins and ends with how you think about, and engage with, residents and staff.

If you are ready to use data analytics technologies at your organization, be sure to use the LeadingAge CAST Data Analytics Selection Tool. It provides:

• A white paper with background on data analytics technologies,
• A selection matrix listing the features and functionalities of the featured products,
• An online selection tool to help you find the solution that best fits your needs, and
• Case studies from providers who have used these technologies.

This tool is one of 10 LeadingAge CAST Technology Selection Tools.