Why robotics matters in senior living 

Robotics is a proven model of workforce augmentation through filling gaps, not replacing caregivers. By automating repetitive, time-consuming tasks, communities return valuable time to caregivers so they can focus on what matters most: caring for seniors. 

 “If people come in and they say, ‘Robotics is doing all of the dull, dirty tasks around the building and it’s freeing up caregivers to actually spend time interacting with residents’ That’s a building I’d be in.“

With the right tools, communities can: 

• Relieve staffing shortages. 
• Improve efficiency with floor cleaning robots and delivery automation. 
• Reduce burnout with smarter workflows. 
• Prepare for the future of senior living with scalable technology. 

Practical applications of healthcare technology today 

Technology in healthcare has rapidly advanced in the last decade, and robotics is a leading example. These are not futuristic prototypes, they’re available, proven solutions already delivering measurable impact in care environments. 

• Delivery robotics: Food service robots like Servi Plus transport meals, linens, and supplies, saving staff hours each week. 
• Environmental services (EVS robotics): Solutions like Whiz by SoftBank Robotics America reduce repetitive labor and reallocate time toward higher-value engagement with residents. 

As one staff member explained after adoption: “Whiz helps us keep the hallways and common areas clean so we can focus more on resident care.” 

Results in action 

Direct Supply partnered with Sabra Healthcare REIT to pilot cleaning robots in senior living communities. The results were clear: 

• Performance: Over 1.2 million square feet of space cleaned, saving nearly 300 hours of manual labor. 
• Consistency: Routine cleaning reduced debris and boosted confidence in daily hygiene. 
• Labor reallocation: Staff redirected time toward direct care and resident engagement. 
• Resident experience: One resident shared, “It’s nice to know the carpets are getting cleaned every day, not just when someone has time.” 

These outcomes prove that robotics is both a workforce extender and a resident-experience enhancer. And the impact didn’t stop there. What started as a two-community pilot quickly grew across Sabra’s portfolio. The investment proved its value, delivering consistent, reliable cleaning that eases the burden on staff, delights residents, and scales seamlessly across communities. Robotics is no longer an experiment; it’s a proven strategy to strengthen portfolios and create lasting operational value. 

Preparing for the future of senior living 

Adopting new healthcare technology isn’t just about solving today’s problems, it’s about preparing for tomorrow’s realities. Designing spaces ready for healthcare technology trends like robotics will be essential. 

 “By the time a new building opens, it might be too late to redesign for robotics. You have to make sure your building is ready for adoption, even if you’re not adopting yet, you probably will in the next 10 years.“

Forward-thinking providers will gain an edge by extending workforce capacity without adding headcount, enhancing resident satisfaction with consistent and reliable service, and reducing operational costs through scalable automation. At the same time, they will build a culture of innovation that attracts both residents and staff, positioning their communities as leaders prepared for the future of senior living. 

The bottom line 

The future of senior living will be shaped by providers who act today. Robotics allows communities to close the care gap, protect staff well-being, and elevate the resident experience. 

“We’re not asking you to change the world today, just try something. Because if you don’t, you are going to fall behind the people that are.” 

– Justin Smith, Senior Innovation and Technology Manager 

Robotics isn’t just about machines, it’s about creating communities where technology supports compassion, dignity, and human connection. 

Why baby boomers aren’t moving in 

For decades, the industry has anticipated the arrival of baby boomers. And many communities are still waiting. COVID-19, rising construction costs, labor challenges and interest rates present real barriers, but the deeper issue remains clear: 

Baby boomers aren’t satisfied with what’s currently being offered. 

Boomers, and Generation X ,are redefining aging. They don’t view senior housing as a last resort. Instead, they seek vibrant lifestyles with meaningful experiences. If we as an industry keep building and designing for what worked for generations past, we risk alienating a generation that thinks differently. Instead, we need to value what our new audience values: independence and aspirational living. 

Moving from need-based to aspirational living 

Historically, seniors have transitioned into senior housing following a crisis: a health event, isolation, or loss of support. But what if we flipped that model? What if seniors chose to enter communities earlier, healthier, and enthusiastic about their future? 

This requires rethinking our value proposition as an industry. Instead of marketing communities as safe havens, present them as places for growth, where discreet technology supports proactive care, individuals pursue their passions, and personalized wellness plans promote health span, not just lifespan. 

 “People deserve dignity as they age. We need to shift the narrative.”

– Gaurie Rodman (Vice President – Real Estate Strategy and Development)

Designing communities for wellness and joy 

From culinary experiences to virtual travel and social engagement, expectations for senior housing are higher than ever. Communities must evolve beyond simply providing care. They need to become cultural hubs, wellness centers, and social connectors that focus on holistic wellness, including: 

• Effective, discreet physical health support 
• Emotional wellness through meaningful social connection 
• Cognitive engagement through purposeful activities 
• Purpose-driven opportunities to inspire individuals daily 

All of this must be integrated into environments that don’t feel like “nursing homes” of the past. Human-centric design should be intuitive, inclusive, and dignified, reflecting the lifestyle baby boomers want. 

“It doesn’t have to be the Taj Mahal of the world, but we can take the 40-year-old building in the heart of a community and actually looking at it with the right lens, transform it to serve the community that it’s trying to serve.” 

Leveraging technology and innovation to meet shifting needs 

To meet evolving consumer expectations while addressing operational and staffing challenges, operators must lean into technology, innovation, robotics, and AI. Embedded, invisible healthcare systems, predictive monitoring, and digital engagement tools can preserve dignity while proactively supporting health. Robotics and automation can help ease staffing pressures, while AI can anticipate resident needs and connect them with services, experiences, and community members in real time. 

“We need to make sure all the pillars, including health, wellness, affinity-based living, and meaningful experiences, align in the same community. Embedded technology and invisible healthcare should be the standard and a given in creating vibrant, purposeful living.” 

This approach not only enhances the resident experience but also enables the development of consumer-aligned, affordable housing models, ensuring communities remain accessible and competitive in a changing market. 

Time for a new narrative 

By listening deeply, designing with empathy, and building with purpose, we can create remarkable communities accessible at every income level. This new generation wants environments that feel like home and honor both independence and community. 

The future of senior care depends on operators reframing the approach to human-centric design. That future begins today. The most successful operators will lean into their community’s unique strengths to transform operating models, meeting consumers where they are and delivering what they truly value. 

 “As of 2025, we are housing our most vulnerable senior population, in facilities of which 60% are over 30 years old. The aging infrastructure of these communities, compounded by an increase in more impactful weather situations (forest fires, flooding, hurricanes, tornadoes or ice storms), has seen a rise in government mandates requiring facility upgrades. The safety and security of elders is critical; the challenge becomes how we plan, execute and pay for required and necessary improvements.”

Understanding the regulatory landscape 

Regulations often follow crises like hurricanes, floods, wildfires, and ice storms that expose vulnerabilities in aging facilities. After Hurricane Irma, Florida’s mandate for 96 hours of backup generator power for skilled nursing facilities became a blueprint now echoed in other states. Likewise, new assisted living facility regulations are emerging nationwide, aimed at fortifying disaster preparedness and ensuring uninterrupted resident care. 

The realities of implementation 

1. Underestimated costs & capital expenditure

Many state legislators undervalue the true scope of capital expenditure needed for compliance. California initially projected $20,000–$50,000 per facility for emergency power, but actual costs frequently approach $200,000–$500,000 when factoring in engineering, permitting, and installation of multiple backup generators.

2. Supply chain constraints

When thousands of communities race to meet new backup generator regulations, demand outstrips supply. Equipment shortages and labor scarcity delay projects, undermining both compliance and disaster preparedness efforts. 

3. Tight timelines & permitting

Regulatory compliance timelines often don’t align with providers’ maintenance and capital-expenditure schedules, which typically allow only 12–18 months to comply. That window is insufficient for a multi-phase rollout, site surveys, design, permitting, and commissioning, creating a compressed schedule that elevates risk and can lead to costly fines.

Funding challenges & Medicaid reimbursement 

Most mandates arrive without dedicated funding, leaving operators to shoulder the financial burden. Only a handful of states, California among them, integrate certain capital expenditure into their Medicaid reimbursement models. Even there, providers must navigate complex Medicaid reimbursement rates that vary by facility size, acuity level, and service mix. For the majority of communities, securing grants, loans, or alternative financing becomes essential to move projects forward. 

How Direct Supply is responding and what we can do to help 

Operators face significant challenges balancing mandated upgrades with daily operations, especially when resources are limited. Direct Supply provides scalable expertise, including: 

Managing supply chains to deliver essential equipment promptly.

Our TELS™ Building Management platform, combined with a 25,000-technician nationwide field services network, coordinates installation, commissioning, and compliance verification from site survey to final inspection, shrinking the window from mandate to operation.

Preparing for ongoing regulatory evolution 

Regulatory mandates will continue to proliferate, and extend beyond skilled nursing into assisted living, memory care, and beyond. Robust risk management and proactive regulatory compliance strategies are no longer optional; they are essential pillars of operational excellence. 

Direct Supply stands ready to partner with your community, helping you transform regulatory requirements into cost-effective, resilience-building initiatives. By aligning project planning with reimbursement insights, capital funding pathways, and industry best practices, we ensure compliance becomes a strategic advantage rather than an obstacle. 

Fee-for-service vs. value-based care: what’s driving the shift?

A fundamental change is underway in how skilled nursing providers are reimbursed for care. The industry is moving away from volume-based payments and toward models that prioritize value. 

Historically, the fee-for-service model dominated care delivery. Under this structure, providers were paid based on the number and type of services delivered, regardless of patient outcomes. While straightforward to administer, this model created incentives for higher utilization, not necessarily better care, and often overlooked the quality or effectiveness of services provided. 

Value-based care turns that model on its head. It ties reimbursement to performance metrics such as improved recovery rates, fewer hospital readmissions, and overall cost efficiency. By aligning payment with patient outcomes, value-based care encourages a more coordinated, proactive approach to treatment—aiming to deliver better results while reducing the total cost of care. 

“CMS has been testing and driving us towards more value-based care payment models for many years. By tying payment and incentives to population health metrics and outcomes, CMS expects these alignments to reduce healthcare costs. ”

How Medicare Advantage and Medicaid value-based payments affect senior living operators

With the majority of skilled nursing revenue derived from Medicare and Medicaid, any policy change in these programs sends ripples through the industry. Today, more than half of Medicare beneficiaries are enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans, a key driver of value-based care. Simultaneously, state-developed Medicaid value-based payment programs are increasingly shaping reimbursement for Skilled Nursing Facilities, further complicating Medicare and Medicaid payment strategies. These programs require enhanced care coordination, improved clinical outcomes, and often involve lower per-day reimbursement rates. 

This poses challenges for providers already operating with narrow margins. However, it also presents a powerful opportunity: operators that demonstrate measurable success in delivering quality outcomes can stand apart and secure stronger payer relationships. 

Driving clinical outcomes through strategic procurement in value-based care

In today’s value-based care environment, procurement has become a strategic lever for better outcomes. Senior Living providers are selecting products and services that go beyond cost savings to support clinical workflows and operational efficiency. 

Intentional technology designed to augment and streamline clinical workflows are increasingly being adopted. For example, upgrading to DS smart® brings automation, faster vitals capture and more accurate data—enabling better clinical decisions. Similarly, pac-IQ® streamlines referral workflows, allowing providers to allocate time towards improving the resident experience and ensuring more informed care transitions. These strategic investments give clinical staff real time back to focus and resident care and lessen practice variability that leads to improved accuracy, both known to contribute to better outcomes, all while reducing the total cost of care. 

“These new trends that you’re seeing at the federal level and at the state level with regard to payment incentives on the value-based care side are going to dictate a lot of the behavior that our customers have when it comes to purchasing and procuring services.”

The future of value-based care in senior living: lowering the total cost of care

The momentum behind value-based care is growing—and it is here to stay. With bipartisan support and proven results from early programs, it’s becoming the foundation for how care is measured, delivered, and reimbursed across senior care. 

As these models expand across the continuum of care, operators who embrace them today are better positioned for long-term success. By focusing on improving clinical outcomes and managing the total cost of care, forward-thinking providers can gain a competitive edge while delivering greater value to residents and payers alike. 

Direct Supply is committed to helping senior living providers succeed in this evolving landscape. From helping improve outcomes to controlling costs, we’re here to support your mission every step of the way. 

Frequently asked questions about value-based care in senior living  

What is the difference between fee-for-service and value-based care? 

Fee-for-service reimburses providers based on the quantity of services delivered, such as appointments, procedures, or tests. Value-based care, on the other hand, links reimbursement to patient outcomes—rewarding providers for improving clinical outcomes, reducing hospital readmissions, and enhancing recovery rates. 

How does value-based care affect senior living providers across the continuum of care? 

Value-based care impacts every level of the senior living continuum—from assisted living to skilled nursing—by prioritizing outcomes, efficiency, and coordination. Providers must demonstrate measurable improvements in resident health and reduce unnecessary hospitalizations to secure favorable reimbursements and payer relationships. 

What role do Medicare Advantage plans play in value-based care? 

Medicare Advantage plans are a major driver of value-based care adoption. With over half of Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in these plans, they emphasize quality metrics, care coordination, and cost control. This directly affects how senior living operators are reimbursed under Medicare and Medicaid programs. 

How can procurement support better clinical outcomes in value-based care models? 

Strategic procurement in senior living involves selecting products that enhance resident health and operational efficiency. From vital signs monitors to infection control systems, these purchases can reduce avoidable hospitalizations and support compliance—ultimately improving outcomes and lowering the total cost of care. 

The current challenge

Medicaid remains the primary funding source for more than 70% of residents in skilled nursing communities and plays a vital role in supporting services across assisted living, home care, and other long-term care settings. But as Congress debates significant funding cuts to the Medicaid program, they are focusing on provider tax provisions that could deliver serious funding reductions to America’s seniors and their caregivers.

 For providers already delivering care below cost, that kind of reduction directly threatens financial stability, care continuity, and the dedicated teams who support residents every day.

How value-based care and private payers are shaping senior living

Beyond direct cuts, care funding is increasingly flowing through Medicaid managed care and Medicare Advantage plans, shifting oversight from public entities to private insurers. While these models offer flexibility, they often prioritize cost containment in ways that do not always align with the realities of delivering high quality care. This shift toward private payers and value-based care models in healthcare places additional financial and operational pressure on senior living providers, especially in the wake of Medicaid cuts. Many communities are grappling with the impact of Medicaid cuts, which have compounded longstanding challenges tied to senior living Medicaid funding and reimbursement.

As this shift continues, strong partnerships with private payers are becoming more critical. Providers are being asked to demonstrate how their outcomes, innovations, and services create measurable value, improving resident well-being, supporting care teams, and helping payers achieve efficiency goals.

Innovation and technology as a response to Medicaid and Medicare cuts 

There is growing recognition among payers that innovation can drive better outcomes and lower costs. Simple solutions—like anti-rollback devices for wheelchairs—can help prevent injuries and avoid costly hospitalizations, benefiting both residents and the bottom line. In the face of federal cuts to Medicaid and Medicare, innovation becomes not just beneficial, but essential. For skilled nursing communities, technology can bridge the gap caused by declining reimbursement and cutting Medicaid funding initiatives.

At Direct Supply, we’re seeing increasing engagement from private payers interested in smart equipment, home-based technology and streamlined formularies that reduce rehospitalizations and enhance safety. These conversations present a critical opportunity to help build a more resilient, sustainable system for senior living.

 “Are we incentivizing and motivating for the outcomes we desire? In my 30 years of experience, CMS has missed the mark. Prioritizing regulatory compliance and overly complex, and underfunded reimbursement mechanisms make it difficult for providers, and CMS, to achieve more. Value-based care, aligns incentives to desired outcomes and reduces cost of healthcare, but it won’t work if regulatory oversight doesn’t change, or is too late to protect providers. 

Incentivizing for outcomes, not process, and re-working regulations can motivate stakeholders to connect actions to the right things—the right outcomes, the right care, the right types of things we’re trying to do—those things don’t have to be mutually exclusive. They can work in tandem together, and we can get good outcomes and still save money.“

Senior care advocacy in the wake of Medicaid cuts  

The debate over Medicaid isn’t just about funding—it’s about the future of care. Any reduction in Medicaid, whether labeled a provider tax adjustment, block grant or rate shift, ultimately translates to fewer resources for those who need them most. Senior care advocacy has never been more urgent. Reductions in federal funding for Medicaid threaten long-term stability, particularly for communities reliant on long term care Medicaid reimbursements.

That’s why Direct Supply continues to advocate for the providers we serve, making sure their voices are heard at every level. Through targeted, intentional efforts, we’re helping to spotlight the true impact of policy decisions—and fighting to protect the future of senior living. Read about our advocacy efforts.

How Direct Supply is responding and what we can do to help 

1. Advocacy efforts to address Medicaid and Medicare cuts

Our Government Relations team is focused on protecting providers from the real-world impacts of cuts to Medicaid and Medicare by championing smart, sustainable policy. They are leading proactive, focused efforts to ensure the needs of senior living providers remain front and center as key policy and funding decisions are made in Washington. We’re fighting for what’s right—and making sure our customers’ voices are heard when it matters most.

2. Supporting senior living providers with cost-saving solutions

Every day, our teams are showing up with purpose—helping customers focus on what matters most. We work side-by-side with senior living providers to deliver affordable, high-quality solutions that offset the rising cost of assisted living and equipment.

3. Investing in technology to offset the cost of senior living

From AI-powered monitoring to predictive analytics, we help customers manage the cost of senior living while aligning with emerging value based care models in healthcare. These innovations are helping providers lower their cost to serve, allowing more dollars to be reinvested into care and operations.

4. Leading change by partnering with Medicaid stakeholders

As senior living Medicaid models evolve, Direct Supply remains at the forefront—educating, adapting, and collaborating with emerging Medicaid stakeholders to shape sustainable care strategies.

“But if there is a dollar less flowing into nursing home care or hospital care for America’s seniors, that’s a big, big problem.

And we’re going to stand up and not only say no, but we’re going to try to make it a political point for the constituents of these policymakers—let them know that these voters are not going to take it anymore.”

Frequently asked questions about senior care and Medicaid cuts

What is the cost of assisted living with Medicaid in 2025?

The cost of assisted living continues to rise, and with Medicaid funding cuts in 2025, fewer options may be fully covered without out-of-pocket expenses. Coverage also varies significantly by state, as each state’s Medicaid program operates under different eligibility rules and reimbursement structures. Many states now utilize Medicaid waiver programs, which may only cover a limited number of participants or services within assisted living communities. Additionally, even when Medicaid provides some support, families often still face expenses for room and board, personal care, or enhanced service packages. It’s crucial to consult your state’s Medicaid office or a local senior living advisor to understand your specific options.

How do Medicaid cuts affect senior care providers?

Cuts reduce reimbursements, forcing senior care providers to find efficiencies or scale back services—potentially impacting care quality. In some cases, facilities may limit the number of Medicaid residents they accept or delay investments in staffing and infrastructure. This can place additional strain on caregivers and hinder the delivery of personalized, timely support that residents need.

What is the impact of federal funding cuts to Medicaid?

Federal cuts to Medicaid jeopardize access to care for vulnerable seniors, particularly in skilled nursing and long-term care facilities. These reductions may lead to facility closures in underserved areas and reduced availability of critical services. Over time, this can widen health disparities and limit families’ choices when seeking appropriate senior living environments for their loved ones.

Which is the Best Format for my Healthcare Procurement Strategy?

PunchOut Catalogs:

PunchOut catalog capabilities and features vary by supplier. While PunchOut catalogs can be easy to set up, the system usually offers limited content control. 

PunchOut solutions often require users to navigate multiple external vendor websites to complete their purchases. This can lead to fragmented processes and inconsistencies in data.

Furthermore, the user experience can suffer with punchout solutions. Navigating various supplier websites can be cumbersome and time-consuming, detracting from the efficiency and convenience of the procurement process. Users may find it frustrating to switch between different platforms, leading to decreased productivity.

Suppliers may update or add products to a punchout system without notifying organizations of changes, including pricing. Because suppliers control site content, they may market unwanted promotions and coupon codes to end users. This can cause expensive disruptions to controlled procurement activities and strategies.

Without contracted pricing in place, users may over-purchase non-essential items to take advantage of seemingly attractive pricing discounts. This is wasteful spending, and it can hurt an organization’s business process.

PunchOut Catalogs don’t require a lot of management, which may lead to under utilized contracts and limited purchasing power in future negotiations. This is all to say, PunchOut catalogs can save time for your organization, but spend management over products and services can become much more difficult. 

Hosted procurement solutions eliminate these issues by integrating all vendor catalogs and purchasing activities into one cohesive platform. This integration not only saves time but also improves data accuracy and consistency, as all transactions are recorded within the same system.

Hosted Catalogs:

Hosted catalogs give organizations full control over the pricing that gets loaded. A quality procurement system should require organization approval when a supplier wants to update the product information and price. In addition, organizations can expect functionality to validate a purchase order with the associated invoice and support when discrepancies arise.

In a hosted catalog structure, product data can be depended on to remain relatively consistent. Product descriptions and special offers won’t be changed without the organization knowing about it. This eprocurement system also allows for greater vendor management, meaning you can set more controls over sourcing and pricing. A dependable pricing structure and product catalog makes risk management easier for your organization.

A hosted procurement system supplies benefits beyond consistency in product selection and price. Your procurement team will be able to reduce wasteful spending by requiring a more comprehensive approval process. All product data is centralized into one platform. Now that all of the required information is in one place, it’ll be easier to identify the quantity of raw materials or other products necessary to purchase. 

Security is another critical advantage of hosted procurement solutions. These platforms are designed with robust security measures to protect sensitive data, ensuring compliance with industry standards and regulations. Punchout solutions rely heavily on multiple external sites. The decentralization of information may pose greater security risks due to varying security practices among vendors.

Your procurement system may also allow for more comprehensive approvals based on product indicators.  For example, a non-contracted product would allow for additional oversight. Additional visibility into purchasing ensures users are making the most  cost-effective purchases. 

Our Advice for Healthcare Procurement Professionals

When considering a PunchOut or a Hosted catalog solution, stay focused on your desired outcome and procurement goals. From a technological standpoint, PunchOut catalogs offer a simpler process than creating a Hosted catalog. While PunchOut catalogs may offer immediate time savings, they are limited to a supplier’s site features.

Hosted procurement solutions offer a more efficient, secure, and scalable approach to procurement compared to punchout solutions. Centralizing all purchasing activities, enhancing visibility and control, and providing robust support are just some of the benefits. Hosted solutions empower healthcare providers to optimize their procurement processes and focus more on delivering high-quality patient care.

If you’re a procurement manager seeking more comprehensive control and savings, Hosted catalogs are the better option. Hosted catalogs guarantee cost control, which is often a primary reason for putting a healthcare procurement solution in place.

Learn more about Direct Supply’s DSSI procurement solutions here.

Know your hood types: type 1 hood vs type 2

There are a few key differences between commercial kitchen hood type 1 vs type 2:

• Type I hoods are required for equipment that produce smoke or grease-laden fumes. This includes equipment such as fryers, ranges, griddles, convection ovens, tilt skillets and broilers. 
• Type II hoods are used where grease isn’t present to remove steam, vapor and odors. These types of hoods are generally used for dishwashers, steam tables and steamers.

Maximize budget dollars through space efficiency: Type 1 hood cost vs Type 2

Type 1 (exhaust hood) cost:

A hood in a commercial kitchen is high-end real estate. Currently, we are seeing prices at around $16,000 for 2 – 10′ type 1 hoods.  Meaning, it can cost anywhere from $900 to $1,700 per linear foot, depending on what state you live in. Because of the high cost, it’s important to use that space as efficiently as possible. 

Type 2 (condensate hood) cost

Since you can use Type 2 kitchen hoods without ductwork you can oftentimes find these hoods at a generally cheaper price. In 2023, we’re seeing prices land around $1,800.

Not all electrical equipment needs to be under a hood

In the past, the general rule for commercial kitchens was that if a product created heat or steam, it needed to go under a hood.  While that still holds true for all gas equipment, there are a few exceptions for electrical equipment. Some examples of electric equipment and commercial ovens that may not need to go under a hood include:

Find new, innovative equipment solutions that don’t require a hood!

Combi Electric Heated Boilerless oven – electric tabletop models offer ventless versatility. Operators can choose between manual and automated cooking platforms for ease of use.

Commercial Oven Ventilation Accessories

If you find yourself struggling to fit everything under the primary hood in your kitchen, then you might want to shop for ovens that have a hood as an accessory for you to cook in a converted space. There are two that we’d suggest:

Capital planning strategy: the pros and cons of staying in-house or outsourcing

Regardless of the type of project, a lot of the decisions on a capital project revolve around the answer you give to the first two questions: “Do I need to hire someone to do this?” and “Do I have the budget to make that choice?”

Projects done entirely in-house are called self-performed projects. When building staff perform a project completely internally, they usually save a lot of money. And money talks. But there’s also risk, as you can miss an opportunity for expertise on the project. And on big-ticket projects, the last thing you want is to realize your maintenance director doesn’t always double as Mr. Fix-It.

So, you’re usually left deciding between an emphasis on budget or results, and with a lot riding on it.

Capital planning software to centralize your information and communicate more effectively

While important, data is half the battle. The other half is planning it out and making it work for you, not the other way around. A lot of data can be housed in Microsoft Excel documents, but these can be time-consuming and potentially out of date or inaccurate and can therefore lead to miscommunication as documents get lost or misplaced.

Plus, as data is recorded at the facility level and moves its way up to a corporate office, multiple documents and multiple levels of feedback and prioritization occur, which can be difficult to track and maintain. Add to that the potential of receiving a capital budget for a whole year as late as March or April, and you’ve found yourself in a time crunch.

This is why communities struggling with strategizing, communicating and tracking their capital planning may want to consider a capital planning technology platform.

 As the leading Senior Living technology platform, Direct Supply® TELS® works hand in hand with senior care facilities to develop and maintain the TELS Capital Planning Tool to help:

Increase visibility into capital spend

• Because project requests can’t get lost
• Keep track of what’s going on in your buildings with Site Visit & Asset Management tools
• You define your own categories, roles, and assets
• You keep up-to-date information such as useful life, repair need and history on all assets

Capital planning software for your organization

In short, having a platform where up-to-date information can be viewed by any level of an organization allows more-informed, better capital decisions, smoother facility operations and happier residents. Best of all, TELS Capital Planning is completely free for TELS Platform customers! See more of what TELS Capital Planning has to offer or call 800-667-3880 with any questions.

Pandemic vs endemic: what can we focus on in Senior Living building operations to prepare?

There are a few key areas you may see renewed focus on in Senior Living building operations. These areas can be divided into two different categories: things that will potentially remain the same, and changes we could expect for the future. Today, we’ll focus on the former category: focus areas that will likely remain – relatively – unchanged.

What is the difference between a pandemic vs endemic?

Do you find yourself quantifying time before 2019 as “pre-COVID”? Many people are. Unfortunately, there will most likely be no such thing as ‘post-COVID’ – at least, not in our lifetime. Instead, there will be what is called the coronavirus endemic phase. But what is an endemic, really?

According to the CDC, a pandemic is a disease or condition that spreads across regions. In the case of COVID-19, this was a worldwide pandemic. An endemic, however, is a disease or condition present among a population at all times². It is a result of people growing tired of restrictions and carrying on with everyday life before the initial illness ends³. So, instead of seeing the coronavirus as something that will eventually end, an endemic is more like the flu or the common cold² – something to be managed, instead of eliminated. 

Because of this, a ‘new normal’ must be defined in order to move forward in society. In Senior Living and healthcare specifically, actionable items and cohesive plans will set the standards for the industry moving forward. Employers especially will most likely have a more definitive role of setting policies for their workplace and helping employees think through the changes⁴.

How will I know when we’ve moved from a pandemic to an endemic phase?

While changing from a pandemic to an endemic isn’t going to be an abrupt ‘ah ha’ moment, there will be a few key indicators for spotting trends towards an endemic phase, including “how many people are developing severe disease at a given time. If we’re seeing increases in that, we’ve got to take action. If we’re not, that’s a different set of actions, and that’s similar to what we do for influenza year over year⁵.”

When it comes to evaluating a pandemic vs endemic, the endemic phase isn’t going to be focused on the number of cases, but rather the number of hospitalizations and deaths the coronavirus is causing. If numbers continue to trend downwards like they have been so far, then there’s a good chance the pandemic has already begun to transition into the coronavirus endemic phase. But, if we see another huge spike of severe cases and deaths, then COVID-19 is still most likely in the pandemic phase.

Are there any pandemic changes that will remain consistent in Senior Living?

Funding. Once the endemic phase hits, COVID-related funding could most likely dissipate shortly thereafter. However, there will most likely always be opportunities to apply for monetary assistance. Keep up-to-date with relevant resources to know where and how you can apply for funding.

 Will COVID-19 government funding for Senior Living stop?

Yes, the government will most likely stop funding Senior Living due to the transitional phase of the pandemic into the endemic. This means the funds received due to COVID-specific expenses will be inaccessible. Even so, there are opportunities to receive government funding for your facility that does not include coronavirus response funds. You can access information about funding resources by investigating:

• National Council of Aging
• Leading Age
• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

What testing and infection prevention processes from COVID-19 will stay during the coronavirus endemic phase?

Because of this, it’s important to take advantage of initiatives like the Clean Air in Buildings Challenge to help improve indoor air quality as you protect the health of your residents. Guidelines such as these can help you set a standard for your building that, in conjunction with vaccinations, mask-wearing and physical distancing can help to reduce the spread of infectious diseases⁸.

Takeaway tip: Infection Prevention, water testing and air monitoring will not only remain as a higher priority in Senior Living, but will most likely increase in frequency and importance. Learn more about Indoor Air Quality here.

Infection prevention, survey & tags in Senior Living: COVID-19 pandemic vs endemic

The coronavirus forced Senior Living’s attention on infection prevention to a degree we haven’t seen before. Prior to COVID-19, facilities nationwide didn’t require such strict guidelines. Oftentimes, buildings were in danger of falling into lax infection prevention habits: deferring infection prevention protocols or even skipping them altogether as budgets tightened or resources grew thin. In fact, it was a commonly cited F-Tag pre-COVID⁹. However, the likelihood of relaxed processes such as this continuing in an endemic phase is highly unlikely. Instead, the infection prevention crackdown we saw during COVID-19 will stay most likely for the near future as we transition to the coronavirus endemic phase. Then, we could see it slowly integrated into daily routines. For example; many medical professionals still advise people to mask in public and wash their hands frequently, and will continue to do so as cases spike in the COVID-19 endemic phase¹⁰.

Likewise, we most likely won’t see much change to the current survey focus and fines. Hangover pressure and focus on infection prevention will continue to affect regulations for the near-future, so be prepared to see more tags and stricter enforcement for infection prevention in the months to come. Utilizing resources such as Direct Supply® TELS® Platform to organize your daily task and set reminders for life safety, fire prevention, and other survey items could help you stay ahead of the game so your building is ready during the survey window.

Communication and digital devices in the COVID-19 endemic phase

Strategic and creative responses to social isolation were vital in the midst of the pandemic, and will most likely stick around for the long-term. “Smartphone usage for those over 65 has grown from 13 percent 10 years ago to 61 percent today, while tablet use has increased from 6 percent to 44 percent¹¹” which means finding ways to accommodate this will more than likely become a norm for building operations. A greater influx of online communication to family members and friends will remain in Senior Living, boosting the need for facility-wide internet connections and different technology options such as access to tablets and smart televisions.

Senior Living building operations pandemic vs endemic

As the industry moves forward, we will most likely continue to feel the impact of COVID-19 in these focus areas:

• Preventative testing measures
• Infection prevention
• Conditional funding
• Survey and tags
• Communication needs

We’ve also provided resources for you to utilize as you continue to navigate Senior Living building operations as we transition to the endemic phase. However, if you have any questions you will always have the option to contact your Direct Supply representative for additional information.

1. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1254488/us-share-of-total-covid-deaths-by-age-group/ 

2. . https://www.cdc.gov/training/publichealth101/documents/introduction-to-epidemiology.pdf 

3. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Wjpe8zeMDas43cDYDAkddZvCUD-T5CsFIcicm1kfrmU/edit# 

4. https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/healthcare-systems-and-services/our-insights/pandemic-to-endemic-how-the-world-can-learn-to-live-with-covid-19

5. https://www.ama-assn.org/delivering-care/public-health/how-we-will-know-when-covid-19-has-become-endemic 

6. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/hus/2010/022.pdf 

7. https://leadingage.org/Assisted-Living-2021 

8. https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/clean-air-buildings-challenge 

9. https://leadingage.org/regulation/top-five-frequently-cited-f-tags-2022 

10. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/coronavirus/article257490239.html 

11. https://editions.mydigitalpublication.com/publication/?i=740335&p=30&view=issueViewer

What relief is available for Senior Living?

In the combined application that opened on September 29, 2021, Senior Living facilities have the availability of additional relief with:

• $17 billion in the Provider Relief Fund (PRF) Phase 4 for care providers that can provide documentable pandemic-related revenue loss and expenses.
• $8.5 billion from the American Rescue Plan (ARP) for rural healthcare providers that care for Medicaid or Medicaid patients. To help determine if your community qualifies for “rural” relief, you can use the HRSA’s Rural Health Grants Analyzer online tool.

How will payments be calculated?

Striving to follow a commitment of equity, PRF Phase 4 payments are intended to support the communities most in need and will consider lost revenues and expenditures between July 1, 2020 and March 21, 2021, with a focus on reimbursing smaller providers at a higher rate than larger providers. There is also potential for bonus payments based on the number of service providers that care for Medicaid or Medicare patients.

Additional payment funding key points include:

• Large communities will receive a minimum payment based on percentage of lost revenue and COVID-related expenses.
• Medium and small communities will receive a base payment plus a supplement, with supplement priority going to small providers.

What community types are eligible?

Generally speaking, Skilled Nursing, Long Term Care and nursing home communities are eligible for this funding. State-licensed and certified Assisted Living communities are also typically eligible and specifically mentioned in the Frequently Asked Questions for Phase 4.

How can these grants for Senior Living facilities be used?

The additional funds provide relief to Senior Living communities that have been forced to operate on tight budgets while caring for America’s seniors, the population impacted most by the COVID-19 pandemic. Funds from Phase 4 could be used in various ways, including:

• Personal protective equipment (PPE), such as masks, gowns and face protection
• Infection control, disinfection and protection products
• Staffing support for overtime or bonus pay
• Any other offset expenses

This funding opportunity can help your community continue to provide the highest quality of care possible for your residents.

What’s coming next for Senior Living funding?

As Senior Living funding becomes available, we want to keep you informed and support your communities. We are continually monitoring potential state and local programs that could benefit Senior Living communities and will include updates on our COVID-19 Resources page when information becomes available.

We are with you in this fight. Direct Supply will continue its efforts in Washington to help ensure Senior Living has the resources it needs to continue caring for seniors – now and in the future.

The materials, comments and other information offered herein are intended to provide general information and are not legal advice. Funding details may change and this blog may not reflect revised requirements, restrictions and/or timelines. Direct Supply is not endorsed by or affiliated with any funding agency, and does not guarantee eligibility under any particular program. Contact your legal and financial teams to discuss how these programs may apply to your particular facility.

© 2021 Direct Supply, Inc. All rights reserved.