As we navigate a new era of innovation in long-term care (LTC), the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies is reshaping how care is delivered—and how the workforce is supported. A recent study, Emerging Health Technologies in Long-Term Care and Suppliers’ Views on Their Potential to Assist and Support the Workforce (Chapman, Miller & Spetz, 2023), highlights a clear trend: technology is not here to replace caregivers but to empower and extend them.
At Smartlinx, that’s our mission in action.
We believe workforce management isn’t just about filling shifts—it’s about unlocking the full potential of your team through smart, integrated systems that support both operational efficiency and compassionate care.
What the Research Tells Us: Tech is Here to Support the Workforce
The Chapman et al. study gathered insights from across the health tech space and identified core opportunities where tech can help:
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Remote monitoring and wearables to increase efficiency and care reach
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Alerts and AI-based analytics to detect health risks earlier
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Scheduling and staffing tools to improve work/life balance for caregivers
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Education and training platforms to upskill staff and improve retention
Importantly, the tech leaders interviewed agreed: these tools are about assisting, not replacing, the human workforce.
How Smartlinx Elevates the Long-Term Care Workforce
We’ve built a comprehensive suite of workforce management solutions tailored specifically to the demands of long-term care and post-acute environments.
Here’s how we help solve the exact problems surfaced in the study:
Data-Powered Scheduling & Smart Shift Filling
Staffing is consistently one of the biggest pain points in LTC. Our data-driven scheduling platform ensures the right person is in the right place at the right time—without the chaos of last-minute manual changes. Predictive algorithms help:
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Fill open shifts fast with best-fit staff
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Reduce scheduling errors and overtime
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Improve staff satisfaction with more control and transparency
We’re not just solving staffing — we’re optimizing it.
Real-Time Workforce Insights
Smartlinx dashboards give leadership real-time visibility into staffing levels, overtime, call-outs, and more. When paired with data driven forecasting, you can see and solve problems before they affect care.
This ties directly to the trend of predictive analytics noted in the research: more data, fewer surprises, better outcomes.
Retention-First Design
Turnover is costly. Our tools are built to help you:
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Understand burnout and attrition risk
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Offer staff more consistent schedules
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Empower caregivers with mobile tools for clocking in, shift management, and communication
This workforce-first approach is crucial. As the study notes, technology that improves staff satisfaction is key to retention—and we’ve designed Smartlinx to do just that.
Mobile-First, Staff-Friendly Tools
Whether it’s self-service scheduling, mobile time clocks, or real-time alerts, Smartlinx brings simplicity to the frontlines. We design for the people who use our tools every day: caregivers, schedulers, and admins.
This user-first mentality improves adoption—something the research flagged as a key barrier to implementation across the industry.
AI: From Concept to Care Delivery
Smartlinx doesn’t stop at scheduling. As AI capabilities expand, we’re continuously evolving our platform to help LTC providers:
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Predict staffing needs based on census trends and acuity
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Flag compliance issues before they become citations
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Provide decision support for workforce allocation and shift planning
We’re getting ready to launch embedding AI into the daily flow of operations, and by doing so we help providers get ahead of problems—not just react to them.
Barriers Remain—But So Do the Opportunities
The research rightly highlights the challenges that persist:
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Challenge |
How Smartlinx Helps |
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Budget constraints |
Our platform helps reduce agency costs and optimize overtime—so tech adoption pays for itself. |
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Tech literacy and training |
We offer onboarding and support built for LTC, not just generic software tutorials. |
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Evidence of impact |
Our customers report measurable results: higher retention, better staffing ratios, improved CMS ratings. |
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Interoperability and complexity |
Smartlinx integrates with major EHRs and payroll systems, keeping your tech stack connected. |
Smartlinx’s Roadmap: The Future of Workforce Empowerment
We're not stopping here. As LTC evolves, so will we. We’re actively moving towards a future focused on:
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Role and use-case focused AI Assistants that increase efficiency and guide decision-making
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Expanded transparency, flexibility, and control of supplemental labor pools
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Deeper focus on employee experience and engagement through all parts of the employment journey
We see a future where staffing isn’t a crisis—it’s a strategic strength.
Final Thought: People First, Powered by Smart Tech
The takeaway from the Chapman et al. study is clear: technology can and should support the LTC workforce — not replace it. That’s been our philosophy from day one at Smartlinx.
By putting data, AI and automation to work for your people — not in place of them — we’re helping long-term care organizations thrive in a challenging, high-demand environment.
Let’s make technology meaningful. Let’s build a future where caregivers feel supported, residents receive exceptional care, and your operations run smoothly every step of the way.
Want to learn how Smartlinx can help transform your staffing and retention strategies? Let’s talk.
