The impact of building management on daily life 

The feel of a community often comes down to the details, such as temperature and lighting. When these systems run smoothly, residents are more comfortable, and operators can better manage one of their largest expenses: facility operations. 

That’s why many operators use AI solutions to optimize efficiency and reduce waste. Tools like the TELS® Platform support preventive maintenance, real-time issue tracking, and faster work order resolution, helping ensure comfort and safety stay consistent. 

How AI enhances comfort and efficiency in senior living 

Artificial intelligence in senior care operations extends far beyond clinical applications; it’s becoming a cornerstone of how modern senior living communities operate. By turning building data into real-time insights, AI solutions help leaders create environments that are more comfortable and reliable every day. 

Energy optimization

AI-enabled energy management systems monitor HVAC, lighting, and water use to balance comfort with efficiency. Smart adjustments to temperature and ventilation keep residents comfortable while minimizing energy waste, helping communities achieve both sustainability goals and cost savings.

Preventative maintenance

Through predictive analytics, AI detects small shifts in equipment performance that signal potential issues before they become costly failures. This proactive insight allows maintenance teams to schedule service in advance, avoiding resident disruptions and reducing emergency calls. Over time, this approach builds a more stable operation, protecting asset life while reinforcing financial and operational consistency.

Communities actively using TELS® asset management features have experienced a 14% reduction in emergency service calls*, proof that proactive maintenance drives measurable results. 

Smart work order automation

AI can analyze incoming maintenance requests and prioritize them by urgency and safety impact. This helps ensure that high-priority issues, such as HVAC failures or water temperature variances, are addressed first, while routine tasks are efficiently scheduled. CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management System) software like TELS Platform already helps teams streamline this process, reducing delays and improving overall responsiveness.

Robotic and automated cleaning systems

Automation in housekeeping is transforming the consistency and reliability of environmental services. AI-powered tools, including TELS® Housekeeping, help communities standardize daily cleaning tasks, balance staff workloads, and maintain high quality across every room and shift. Robotic vacuums and smart disinfection systems maintain high standards of cleanliness while easing the workload on staff, a major advantage amid ongoing labor shortages. The result is a safer, cleaner environment that boosts both resident satisfaction and staff morale. 

Together, these applications show how AI and automation tools quietly improve quality of life behind the scenes. When buildings run smoothly, residents feel the difference. A consistent sense of comfort and cleanliness, supported by dependable service, contributes to a more welcoming and dignified living experience. 

Benefits for staff and residents 

Automation frees staff from constant troubleshooting, giving them more time for meaningful engagement and proactive planning. Predictive insights help maintenance teams prevent small issues before they become disruptions; while housekeeping automation tools help ensure consistent cleanliness. 

For residents, these advancements translate into steady comfort, faster service, and a sense of reliability that builds trust. 

This blend of AI use in buildings operations and technology for seniors reinforces a simple truth: when systems run smoothly, people thrive. 

Challenges of adoption in senior living 

Even with clear benefits, implementing new technology in senior living takes thoughtful planning. Each challenge offers a chance to build a smarter foundation for the future. 

Aging infrastructure

Many communities rely on legacy systems that weren’t built for digital integration. Modernizing doesn’t require a complete overhaul; small, strategic upgrades make an immediate impact. Start by connecting key systems like HVAC or water management to tools such as TELS Platform for real-time monitoring and insight. 

Data accuracy and readiness

AI is only as reliable as the data behind it. Standardizing preventive maintenance, inspection tracking, and asset logs help communities strengthen their data foundation and generate more accurate, actionable insights. 

Cultural adoption and team confidence

Introducing new technology takes collaboration and trust. Engaging staff early helps teams see how automation supports their expertise. Celebrating small wins like fewer emergency calls and faster response time builds momentum and confidence. Over time, teams see how AI applications support their expertise and simplify daily operations. 

The future of AI in senior living communities 

Future trends in senior care point toward fully connected ecosystems. Senior living technology solutions will increasingly integrate energy management, housekeeping automation, and asset data into unified dashboards, giving leaders a complete picture of building performance and operational efficiency. 

With tools like TELS Platform and AI-driven analytics, communities can respond more effectively to everyday challenges by aligning operational data with real-time decision-making, improving both the resident experience and staff performance. 

The bottom line 

With smarter insights and stronger outcomes, the benefits of AI in senior living are becoming increasingly clear. Communities that adopt AI-driven building management today are creating a foundation for lasting comfort, efficiency, and resident satisfaction. 

At Direct Supply, we’re committed to transforming innovation into practical solutions to help senior living teams run more smoothly with tools that support safer, more efficient, and more welcoming environments for residents and staff alike.  

The role of building operations in survey readiness 

Reliable building performance is essential for regulatory compliance and inspections. Building maintenance teams must manage HVAC performance as well as water temperatures and life safety systems, all of which are major focus areas during surveys. 

Alongside staffing and food, building operations represent one of the top three expenses in care environments. To control these costs while safeguarding compliance and safety, forward-thinking providers are adopting AI-driven tools that streamline operations and uncover new efficiencies. 

The TELS® Platform already helps providers schedule inspections, document work, and centralize compliance reporting, all key to maintaining survey readiness and safety. 

How AI supports compliance and safety in SNFs 

In skilled nursing, compliance and safety are non-negotiable. A single missed inspection or system failure can trigger citations in addition to disrupting care and jeopardizing trust. AI tools and automation technologies now offer maintenance and facility leaders a smarter way to stay ahead, turning reactive work into proactive protection. 

Proactive maintenance powered by predictive analytics 

AI tools can analyze equipment data from HVAC systems, boilers, pumps, and refrigeration units to detect subtle changes that often go unnoticed. By identifying at-risk assets before they fail, teams can schedule timely service and avoid emergency calls that strain both budgets and staffing. Predictive insights also extend asset life, helping communities make the most of every capital investment. 

Compliance-driven automation

Survey readiness depends on consistency, and automation helps ensure nothing slips through the cracks. AI can automatically prioritize safety-critical work orders, flag missed inspections and verify that documentation is complete before surveys. With tools like the TELS® Platform, communities maintain real-time visibility into equipment status and fire protection logs, along with temperature data, helping ensure every system meets regulatory standards year-round. 

AI-driven HVAC optimization at Sherbrooke Village delivered a 20–30% reduction in HVAC-related energy use and 15–25% overall utility savings, while improving indoor air quality and compliance with F-Tag 584 standards. This initiative demonstrates how predictive insights and automation can strengthen compliance in addition to comfort and safety; key outcomes every skilled nursing community strives to achieve. 

AI-driven asset lifecycle planning

Knowing when to repair versus replace is one of the toughest calls facility leaders face. AI simplifies the decision with data. This empowers leaders to align operational budgets with safety priorities and capital project goals. 

Across the country, communities using TELS Platform are seeing a measurable impact, from fewer emergency service calls and reduced survey deficiencies to stronger documentation and improved uptime. The result: stronger compliance and smoother operations that build confidence across your team and protect everyone in your community. 

Benefits for staff and residents 

The heart of every skilled nursing facility is its people, both those providing care and those receiving it. AI in healthcare operations is built to empower, not to disrupt, that essential connection. 

For maintenance and environmental services teams, AI takes on time-intensive monitoring, scheduling, and reporting. With less time spent on manual work, teams can turn their attention to advancing safety and operational excellence. Leaders gain visibility across multiple systems, enabling smarter decisions and fewer surprises. 

For residents, these improvements translate directly into comfort and security. Reliable building systems mean stable temperature and safe water quality. They also ensure a calm, consistent environment, all critical to quality of life. Preventive maintenance reduces downtime and eliminates the frustration of repeated disruptions. 

Together, these advancements create a powerful ripple effect: a more resilient care environment, lower operational stress, and greater confidence across the entire community. By combining human expertise with intelligent automation, skilled nursing teams are redefining what operational excellence looks like in senior care. 

Barriers to adoption 

Even with clear benefits, adopting new technology in skilled nursing takes thoughtful planning. Each challenge presents an opportunity to build a stronger, smarter foundation for the future. 

Aging infrastructure

Many communities rely on legacy systems that weren’t built for digital integration. Modernizing doesn’t have to mean full-scale replacement. Start with high-impact systems like HVAC or water management. Incremental upgrades create immediate operational wins and pave the way for broader integration. 

Data accuracy and readiness

AI is only as strong as the data behind it. Inconsistent or incomplete information limits insights, but the solution lies in consistency. Using the TELS® Platform for preventive maintenance, inspection tracking, and asset management helps standardize data collection, giving AI a reliable foundation for precise, actionable recommendations. 

Cultural adoption and team confidence

Building trust in new tools takes time. Involving maintenance leaders, frontline staff, and administrators early helps teams see how automation supports their expertise. Celebrating small wins like fewer emergency calls and faster repairs or stronger documentation builds momentum and confidence. Over time, teams recognize how AI applications amplify their impact, freeing them to focus on what matters most: resident well-being. 

The future of AI in skilled nursing facilities 

AI in senior care is advancing rapidly, and skilled nursing is uniquely positioned to benefit. Soon, AI-driven automation will unify insights from across the operation. This will connect the physical environment with staffing patterns and resident outcomes to enable faster, more informed decisions. 

Emerging innovations like robotic cleaning, automated housekeeping tools, smart disinfection, and integrated HVAC controls are already changing the way communities manage cleanliness and air quality. Tools like TELS® Housekeeping now bring these same advantages to environmental services which help simplify scheduling, track quality, and ensure every room meets consistent standards across shifts. These technologies lighten staff workload while strengthening compliance and resident safety. 

At Direct Supply, we’re focused on bridging innovation with practicality, delivering AI solutions and survey-ready tools that help care teams stay compliant and future-focused. The goal is clear: enable safer environments, stronger operations, and better outcomes for every resident. 

The bottom line 

With fewer emergencies and stronger compliance outcomes, the benefits of AI in senior care operations are becoming increasingly clear. Skilled nursing communities adopting AI-driven building management today are setting the stage for a future of greater safety and operational resilience.  

As innovation continues to advance, leaders who explore these tools now will be best positioned to improve outcomes, extend asset life, and deliver exceptional care environments. 

What Are Isolation Gowns?

Isolation gown purpose is to help protect your frontline caregivers and staff from infectious droplets, fluid penetration and solids, and help prevent the transfer of micro-organisms to vulnerable residents.

There are two main categories of isolation gowns intended for healthcare purposes: surgical and non-surgical.

Know the Level of Protection Standards

The FDA recognizes the consensus standard American National Standards Institute/Association of the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (ANSI/AAMI) PB70:2003, “Liquid barrier performance and classification of protective apparel and drapes intended for use in health care facilities.”

There are four levels under the standard:¹

• Level 3: Moderate risk, to be used, for example, during arterial blood draw, inserting an intravenous (IV) line, in the emergency room, or for trauma cases
• Level 4: High risk, to be used, for example, during long, fluid intense procedures, surgery, when pathogen resistance is needed or infectious diseases are suspected (non-airborne)

For Senior Living, Level 1 basic fluid resistance is generally desirable to combat the spread of COVID-19. Having a gown with a higher level rating isn’t essential as there isn’t extensive risk of blood or other bodily fluids being transferred. For more advanced fluid-resistance needs, consider a surgical gown with a higher-level rating.

What’s on the Product Label is More Important Than the Product Name

For these purposes, we use the term isolation gown. But you should pay less attention to a product name (e.g., isolation gown, nursing gown, procedural gown, etc.) and more attention to function, intended use and what level of protection is provided. The label or packaging will call this out.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, primary objectives are to protect frontline Senior Living staff from the spread of COVID-19 and to protect the accidental transfer of COVID-19 to other residents and staff. Level 1 basic fluid resistance in a non-surgical isolation gown is most likely sufficient. Having a surgical gown with a higher level rating isn’t essential as there isn’t extensive risk of blood or other bodily fluids being transferred.

Evaluate Purpose, Material and Clean vs. Sterile When Choosing Isolation Gowns for Healthcare Settings

The Centers for Disease Control suggests that you consider three things when choosing gowns for healthcare settings.²

Clean vs. Sterile

Clean isolation gowns are used for isolation, while sterile gowns are used for invasive procedures like inserting a central line. For COVID-19, a clean isolation gown works well.

How Easy is an Isolation Gown to Put On and Remove?

The ease or difficulty with which a gown is put on and removed may affect its effectiveness and the potential for self-contamination, especially during the doffing of a contaminated gown.

How Many Different Sizes and Fits Do You Need?

In a non-COVID-19 world, each staff member would have a gown that fit them perfectly. During the current PPE shortage, that’s not realistic in many parts of the country, and a universal size may be the only option. In such cases it’s still critical to make sure that the gown allows the wearer enough freedom of movement to perform their required tasks while still providing as much coverage of their skin and clothing as possible.

Isolation Gown FAQ:

What are isolation gowns?

There are two main categories of isolation gowns intended for healthcare purposes: surgical and non-surgical. 

What are isolation gowns made of?

Typically cotton or a synthetic material like polyester (reusable isolation gowns), or polyethylene or polypropylene (disposable gowns). 

What are PPE gowns used for?

Clean isolation gowns are used for isolation, while sterile gowns are used for invasive procedures like inserting a central line.

References

PROS (accuracy, familiarity)

• Most familiar to caregivers
• Most accurate and widely recommended
• +/- 0.2°F variance (if reading is off, it will be low)
• No calibration required

CONS (speed, maintenance)

• Many variables can affect accuracy, including probe cover and placement, biting, and liquid consumption
• It can be difficult for some residents to keep the probe in the sublingual pocket, which in turn affects accuracy
• Readings usually take between 8 and 15 seconds
• Probe covers required, adding cost

PROS (speed, ease of use, selection)

• Fast with a near-instant reading (ideal for fidgety residents)
• Easy to use
• Increased market acceptance
• Wide selection of product options

CONS (cost, maintenance, accuracy-affecting resident factors)

• +/- 0.4°F variance (reading may vary between high and low)
• Probe covers required, adding cost
• Calibration and lens cleaning required
• Many variables can affect accuracy, including environment, ear wax, improper aiming, hearing aids and resident position

Check out the NEW Attendant® Connected Tympanic Thermometer. When paired with  DS smart® solutions it will seamlessly connect a resident’s reading to their EMR.

PROS (accuracy, low maintenance, warranty)

• +/- 0.2°F variance; unit self-selects most accurate reading from hundreds of data points (if reading is off, it will be low)
• 5-second readings
• Best warranty
• Self-calibrates
• Contains fewest resident factors that can affect accuracy

CONS (unfamiliarity, cost)

• Requires training and is relatively new to Senior Care
• High up-front costs
• Lens cleaning required
• Can be difficult to find the temporal artery due to wrinkles, makeup and skin imperfections

PROS (higher acuity accommodation, speed, selection, maintenance)

• Non-contact for infection control
• Extremely helpful for Memory Care residents or those who are averse to having temperatures taken
• Wide selection of product options and price points
• Near-instant reading
• No probe covers or calibration required

CONS (accuracy)

• Generally 0.4°F variance when compared to touch methods
• Factors that may contribute to inaccurate readings include hair, moisture and aim

Request more information

Fill out the form below to connect with a friendly Direct Supply product consultant.

Step 1: Assess the Threat of Wildfires in Your Area

The first and most critical thing you can do to maintain your indoor air quality during wildfires is to protect your community from the fires themselves. Pay attention to local news sources and government agencies for advice on how to prevent fires, what fires may be in your area and what you should do in response. The USDA Forest Service maintains an online map, but local services will have more detail and the most relevant information for you.

But beyond the fires, the smoke itself can be a real issue. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), wildfire smoke can cause persistent coughs, headaches, shortness of breath, asthma attacks, and even cardiovascular issues such as chest pain and heart attacks. This is especially critical in Senior Living, as the smoke may worsen symptoms for people over 65 years of age, or with respiratory or cardiovascular diseases.

Even if you aren’t near a fire, the jet stream and natural air currents can carry the smoke chemicals and debris from the fires thousands of miles from their source. Bookmark this site to monitor up-to-date maps on fires, smoke coverage and air quality in your area.

Step 2: Protect Your Residents & Staff from Wildfire Smoke

When wildfire smoke lowers air quality in your area, there are several important steps you can take. The American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) has created a framework for protecting building occupants from smoke, published in the March 2021 edition of the ASHRAE Journal. Below are some of the activities you may consider taking: 

Plan ahead if you can

Assess your filters and MERV ratings, ensure your system is running properly for the level of filtration and ventilation it was designed for, and weatherize your building envelope to prevent smoke intrusion. If you need help preparing your building, contact TELS Building Services. 

Improve your filtration

If your HVAC systems allow for it, upgrade all filters in your system to at least MERV 13. Assess your air intakes to determine if you can temporarily add supplemental filtration with MERV 13 filters, tape and temporary ducting materials. Consider adding additional types of air purification products, such as portable HEPA air filters installed in rooms where air quality is a concern.

Balance the outside air coming into your building

An indoor air quality monitor that measures PM2.5 particles can help you determine if you need to take further steps, such as lowering the amount of outside air coming into your building. It may be beneficial to recirculate more air within your building rather than bringing in additional contaminants from wildfire smoke.

Keep pathogens in mind

Increasing ventilation is important for diluting the amount of infectious particles there may be in the air, but decreasing ventilation prevents wildfire smoke from entering your HVAC system. Portable air filters can reduce both exposure to pathogens and smoke in the air, and thus may be a good way to balance between these two requirements.

How to improve your current indoor air quality system

Your current filters may be having an impact on the pollutants associated with wildfire smoke, but they can be doing better. Needlepoint bipolar ionization can help air filters do a better job.

According to GPS®Air, a leading manufacturer of this technology:

One approach to helping air filters do a better job capturing particles of concern (including MPPS) found in the MERV Curve is to make them larger.

A safe, effective and proven way to accomplish this is through needlepoint bipolar ionization (NPBI™). This patented technology creates and releases ions into the airstream using a building’s existing HVAC system as the delivery method. When these ions disperse throughout a space, they seek out and form bonds with particles in the air through a well-established process called agglomeration. This process creates a snowball effect in which particles begin to cluster together. The larger a cluster of particles becomes, the easier it is for an HVAC system to filter it out of the air.

The benefits of ionization by including NBPI as part of a multilayered solution (ventilation and filtration) are many. Aerosolized particulate matter is removed faster. Indoor air spaces are cleaned more thoroughly.

However, alcohol-based hand sanitizer is ineffective against C. difficile spores, so it’s vitally important to wash your hands with soap and water after working with a person who has or is suspected of having C. diff. Additionally, alcohol-based hand sanitizer cannot be used in foodservice settings, so soap and water remains the best method in those areas.

Lastly, wear personal protective equipment (PPE) during direct patient interaction, especially isolation residents.  Change PPE after every use.

Remember, to properly disinfect and sanitize, you must allow all surfaces to remain wet for the manufacturer’s suggested times – also known as “dwell times.” Use products with shorter dwell times for outbreak control and prevent future infections. Wipe down surfaces with a clean wet cloth after the dwell time has passed and the surface has dried. Bleach, for example, can be damaging to surfaces and harmful to skin and should be wiped off.

General tips

Original Air Date: March 26, 2024

Featured speakers: Brody Coates and John Sharpe

Webinar Learning Objectives:

• Applying AB 2511 to your community: Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of this newly enforced law, and the implications towards emergency power system design(s) and equipment.
• Drive Project Planning: Attendees will learn how to create robust project plans tailored to their facility’s needs, considering factors such as budget constraints, technical specifications, and timelines for implementation.
• Execute Project Success: The session will provide insights into best practices for alternate power project management as well as share examples of what NOT to do, learned from Florida (2017) and Louisiana (2022) regulatory events. Specifically, we’ll discuss project constraints and how to best manage communication around regulatory oversight, and avoiding unnecessary corrective action.

NOTICE: The information contained in this presentation is intended to provide general information but not advice about certain regulations and initiatives. This is not intended as legal or other advice and each situation may vary depending on the particular facts and circumstances. You should not act upon this information without first consulting with qualified legal counsel.

Original Air Date: March 13, 2024

Featured speakers: Meagan Pollak-Harrison, Catrisse Alvord, Travis Rea & Zac Selmon

This webinar is designed to provide them with a deeper understanding of the industry dynamics that impact their budgets and labor. Furthermore, it will explore how applied technology can serve as a powerful tool to navigate these challenges effectively.

Webinar Learning Objectives:

• Attendees will learn what applied technology means and how it can help them manage their dining and nutrition programs.
• Attendees will receive an industry update on PPD trends, supply chain and staffing levels.
• Attendees will learn how applied technology can help their organization control cost and support residents through staffing shortages.
• Attendees will learn about advancements in foodservice equipment technology and how that helps with resident satisfaction.

NOTICE: The information contained in this presentation is intended to provide general information but not advice about certain regulations and initiatives. This is not intended as legal or other advice and each situation may vary depending on the particular facts and circumstances. You should not act upon this information without first consulting with qualified legal counsel.

Original Air Date: Wednesday, February 28, 2024

Featured speakers: Jadi Endl, Liz Jensen, Rebecca Keller and Justin Smith

Join our expert panel to explore 2024 design trends in Senior Living and prepare for this new era. This session is essential for professionals in planning, design, construction, or management of senior living communities. Gain valuable insights to make informed decisions and confidently guide your communities into the future of Senior Living.

Webinar Learning Objectives:

• Identify 2024 trends and their impacts on Senior Living housing.
• Discover different interior design trends, technology trends and industry trends.
• Apply trends in current renovation/refurnishing projects and to be better prepared for new builds in the next 3-5 years.
• Leverage partner network to understand how clinical care integrates into design, build and renovations.

NOTICE: The information contained in this presentation is intended to provide general information but not advice about certain regulations and initiatives. This is not intended as legal or other advice and each situation may vary depending on the particular facts and circumstances. You should not act upon this information without first consulting with qualified legal counsel.