In today’s fast-changing world of senior care, nonprofit leadership teams are under more pressure than ever. With rising costs, staffing shortages, and increased demand for high-quality care, staying financially sustainable is a growing challenge.
But there’s good news: technology can help. By strategically adopting digital tools, nonprofit senior living communities can reduce costs, improve care, and enhance operational efficiency without losing sight of their mission.
1. Streamline Operations with Automation
Tasks like billing, scheduling, HR, and compliance reporting can eat up valuable time and resources. Automating these processes with cloud-based and AI-assisted tools like Sage Intacct helps reduce administrative burden, cut overhead, and improve accuracy.
Here are some examples:
- Automated payroll and benefits processing
- Smart scheduling to minimize overtime
- Digital compliance tracking for audits and reporting
These tools allow senior care leadership and staff to focus more on their residents and less on paperwork.
2. Improve Resident Care & Engagement
In today’s digital age, residents are beginning to expect technology integration for their care and social connection. From electronic health records (EHRs) to telehealth and wearable health devices, health tech helps monitor residents more effectively, gives staff better insights, and makes work more efficient.
“An example that comes to mind is our electronic medical records system,” says Justin Kimbrell, CEO of Grace Village Retirement Community in Winona Lake, Indiana. “Our former platform was inefficient, took up a lot of time, and was not user-friendly. When we made the change, we invested in it. It was more expensive per month, but it allowed our nursing staff to chart more efficiently, which freed them up to be able to be on the floor more to take care of our residents.” Kimbrell says Grace Village is also looking to add Amazon Alexa devices to each resident’s room “for an easy way for residents to chat with their loved ones — that brings joy to their day.”
Other tech ideas to implement include:
- Resident portals for announcements and activities
- Family-facing apps for real-time updates
- Digital surveys for feedback and service improvement
When residents feel connected and heard, satisfaction (and referrals) go up.
3. Make Smarter Decisions with Data Analytics
Every dollar counts in nonprofit operations. With the right data analytics platform, organizations can aggregate data from across digital platforms, track key performance indicators (KPIs), and uncover trends that guide smarter financial decisions.
What you can track:
- Occupancy rates
- Cost per resident
- Staffing efficiency
- Resident satisfaction
Predictive analytics can even forecast future demand, helping leadership plan ahead instead of playing catch-up.
4. Cut Costs with Smart Building Tech
Nonprofits can save in the long run by investing in smart infrastructure. Energy-efficient upgrades aren’t just good for the planet — they’re also great for your bottom line.
Consider:
- Smart thermostats and motion-sensor lighting
- Water-saving fixtures
- Real-time building management systems (BMS)
BMS systems can help reduce utility bills and prevent costly maintenance, as well as enhance resident safety and comfort. And even if your organization isn’t quite ready to implement an entire system, small upgrades can still make a big difference.
“We continue to embrace technology throughout the whole campus,” Kimbrell says. “We have a lot of cameras in hallways. So, for example, if someone fell, you could see the issue and better investigate things.”
How to Afford These Tech Upgrades
While there’s an upfront cost to adopting new technology, it can be more accessible than you might think.
Some ideas for funding include:
- Looking for Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) options with monthly pricing
- Applying for grants related to aging, health tech, or energy efficiency
- Partnering with vendors who specialize in nonprofit pricing
- Exploring community funding
You can also make changes internally to support your goals and mission.
“When I first came [to Grace Village], we had financial issues right off the bat,” Kimbrell says. He needed to reduce the size of the management team — and even took a pay cut himself — but kept staffing the same.
“Leaders could take more on our shoulders, but I didn't want our residents to feel the pain of our financial issues,” he says.
To get started with tech implementation, conduct a needs assessment to prioritize what matters most to your community and build from there.
With the right technology and strategy, nonprofit senior living communities don’t need to choose between their mission and financial health.
“When it comes to future technology, I try to keep an open mind,” Kimbrell says. “Who knows what will come with all of the AI advancements? The thing about technology is whether it can make things more efficient or good for our residents. If the technology speaks to the core values of Grace Village, then that’s a great thing for our residents.”
Are you ready to see if your technology meets the needs of your organization? Take our tech quiz and find out.
