How Can Care Homes Use AI
We’ve all seen AI in action (without even knowing it in some cases), whether it’s chatbots answering questions or Netflix suggesting what you should binge watch next.
But AI isn’t just for flashy industries and tech giants, it’s making waves in social care too, and it could be the helping hand the industry has been looking for.
In this article, we’ll explore how care homes can use AI to improve efficiency and free staff from admin burdens.
No technology can replace the empathy of a carer or the sharp eye of a finance leader. However, AI can take jobs like paperwork, data entry and endless spreadsheets off their plate, so they get to focus on what really matters – people and strategy.
So, how exactly can care homes use AI?
Analysing Data
One of AI’s biggest strengths is data analysis. Within seconds, it can sift through mountains of data, spot patterns and deliver bite-sized insights. So instead of spending hours in spreadsheets to track costs, AI does the heavy lifting for you.
Not only does this mean you get real-time insights fast, but it also reduces human error, so you have more confidence in your data.
Armed with quick insights that you can be confident in, you’re ready to respond to any operational or financial challenges that come your way.
Staffing & Resources
Making staff rotas and cross-checking each staff member’s availability can feel like a real headache for one person. AI can build rotas in no time, taking holidays, shift preferences and occupancy levels into account all at once.
AI also helps you forecast demand for resources such as food and medical supplies to prevent overstocking. Plus, it can even compare suppliers to help you find the best prices.
When it comes to big decisions like acquiring a new home or replacing equipment, AI can run “what if” scenarios to show how your finances might be affected and help you make robust plans.
Using AI Safely
Before starting to use any AI tools in your care home, you should check how the provider stores and protects user data. This is especially important if you plan to enter confidential data, such as medical information about residents or financial information.
Don’t forget, AI can still make mistakes. Always verify that the information given is reasonable and appropriate for the task at hand before proceeding.
Constant Monitoring
Just like your business, AI is always open 24/7 and 365 days a year, making it a useful tool for monitoring both medical and financial health.
In the care setting, AI powered sensors are being trialled to reduce night-time checks. Instead of waking residents unnecessarily, sensors alert staff to changes in behaviour such as restlessness, coughing or calling out for help.
On the finance side, AI and Machine Learning make the perfect General Ledger bodyguards, looking out for mistakes or potential fraud and flagging for you to review. So, you don’t have to review transactions manually. Or worse, missing an issue altogether.
Automating Financial Processes
There are a whole host of other financial processes which can be automated, including:
- Variance Analysis – Tracks spending against your budget and highlights issues with overspending.
- Invoicing – Speeds up billing, reduces human error and ensures timely delivery of invoices.
- Period-End Close – Assigns period-close tasks to the relevant staff members and sets deadlines.
- AP Automation – Auto-populates AP invoice details directly from an upload and matches to the Purchase Order.
Meet Sage Intacct
If you’re looking to start using AI in your care home, adding automation to your finance team’s toolkit is a great place to start.
Sage Intacct is a cloud-based accounting system with a range of built-in AI and automation features.
Here’s why care homes love it:
- Seamlessly manage multiple homes and trading entities in one place
- Monitor financial and operational data in real-time with dashboards
- Includes Sage Copilot, the AI-powered productivity assistant
- Built-in automation features, including AP automation and GL outlier detection
- 24/7 monitoring from a team of cyber security experts protecting your data
- Proven track record in the social care industry – read our case study here
Our dedicated Sage Intacct team are on hand to help with any questions you may have.
To arrange a 1-to-1 chat about Sage for your care home, complete the enquiry form.
