Artificial intelligence is no longer a futuristic idea in senior care—it’s already reshaping how providers think, act, and respond to the needs of aging adults.
In this episode of Gravity Healthcare Hacks, Dr. Carol McKinley, President and CEO of Simpson Senior Services, joined Melissa Brown to share how her organization is using real-time, passive AI monitoring to dramatically reduce hospitalizations, anticipate care needs, and empower both staff and residents.
Simpson’s story is proof that AI doesn’t have to be complicated, expensive, or intrusive to make a measurable impact.
From Crisis Response to Predictive Support
For Dr. McKinley, this work is deeply personal. After helping care for her own aging parents—often from hours away—she saw firsthand how hard it is to get ahead of health crises in the absence of timely data.
Today at Simpson, AI is doing what caregivers alone often can’t: recognizing subtle changes in behavior and movement patterns that may signal a brewing issue. Through a partnership with AI company AMBA, Simpson uses discreet, battery-powered sensors to track:
- Sleep quality and interruptions
- Bathroom usage
- Room movement patterns
- Deviations from normal routines
This data feeds into a real-time dashboard that categorizes residents with green (stable), amber (potential concern), or red (urgent) alerts—giving staff a clear, actionable picture of who needs immediate attention and who doesn’t.
Real Results: Fewer Falls, Less Medication, Better Quality of Life
The outcomes are powerful. Since implementing AMBA’s system, Simpson has seen:
- A 67% reduction in falls
- An 81% reduction in the use of antipsychotic medications
- Fewer unnecessary ER visits and hospital admissions
- More confident, data-informed decision-making by staff and physicians
This isn’t just a tech upgrade—it’s a cultural shift. The AI system helps Simpson’s team return to a deeper level of critical thinking and clinical intuition, informed by real-time context instead of guesswork or outdated documentation.
The Power of Proactive, Not Reactive, Care
One of the biggest challenges in senior care is recognizing the difference between surface-level symptoms and root causes. A resident who appears irritable or confused may actually be suffering from poor sleep, an early-stage UTI, or a reaction to a new medication.
With AI’s pattern recognition and early-warning capabilities, teams at Simpson are now asking the right questions sooner—and acting faster to prevent issues before they spiral.
Just as importantly, residents feel more secure, respected, and in control of their care. As Dr. McKinley put it: “Data is power—especially when you’re using it with residents, not just about them.”
Tech That Enhances Privacy and Autonomy
Unlike camera-based systems that raise concerns about privacy, AMBA’s passive sensors are discreet, non-intrusive, and entirely camera-free. The only output is data that flows to a secure dashboard—giving both staff and families meaningful insights without disrupting the resident’s environment.
That’s critical for older adults who value independence and dignity, and it’s a sharp contrast to many “AI add-ons” that feel bolted onto legacy platforms without improving the experience.
Training Staff and Residents Through a Dedicated Tech Bar
To ensure buy-in and adoption, Simpson didn’t stop at installing sensors. They built a technology bar—a physical space where residents and staff can interact with devices, ask questions, and learn how tech can improve quality of life.
The bar includes tools like:
- Bluetooth-enabled weight scales for CHF monitoring
- Voice-activated assistants (e.g., Echo Show)
- AMBA’s full range of passive sensors
- Personalized tech support for residents and families
By offering hands-on experience in a supportive environment, Simpson is making AI accessible—and even exciting—for users who may otherwise feel intimidated.
The Takeaway: AI That Works in the Real World
Dr. McKinley’s advice to other senior care leaders? Don’t wait. Pilot something. Take the risk. Learn what works and what doesn’t—but start now, before you fall behind the innovation curve.
The key is choosing solutions built for senior care from the ground up—not just legacy systems with AI features layered on.
“This technology gives us data that actually improves care,” Dr. McKinley said. “We’re not just checking boxes—we’re changing lives.”
Want to See How This Could Work in Your Community?
At Gravity Consulting, we help senior living providers implement practical, results-driven solutions like passive AI monitoring—without overwhelming your team or your budget.
Whether you’re just exploring what’s possible or you’re ready to pilot a system like AMBA, we can walk you through:
- How to select the right AI platform
- What training and rollout really looks like
- How to get staff and families on board
- How to turn real-time data into proactive care
Let’s talk about your goals and see what’s possible.
📞 Call us at 844-899-6883
