Long-Term Care Is Evolving—Fast

Long-term care is changing. At SMK Medical, we’ve worked with over 100 communities to bring in AI tools that actually work in the real world. These aren’t massive overhauls or complicated software rollouts. These are straightforward, supportive tools that help NHAs, DONs, MDS nurses, and clinical teams do their jobs more efficiently, with fewer headaches.

What’s Slowing Down LTC Teams Today?

Many teams in post-acute care are still overwhelmed by paperwork, inefficient systems, and repetitive tasks. AI isn’t about replacing people—it’s about removing the friction that slows them down. At SMK, we focus on AI tools that plug into daily workflows and immediately ease the pressure.

AI Tools That Are Actually Working in Skilled Nursing

One of the tools we use regularly is ChatGPT’s API. It helps teams get started on documentation when they’re feeling stuck or short on time. Whether it’s a pain care plan or a behavior intervention summary, ChatGPT offers a starting point that staff can edit and refine. It doesn’t take the place of professional judgment—it helps teams work more efficiently.

Claude AI is another supportive tool. We use it behind the scenes for leadership and compliance tasks. It can help brainstorm QAPI initiatives, organize your thoughts for a Plan of Correction, or even help regional nurses prep for a mock survey. It’s a quiet but powerful partner for leadership.

DS Automation simplifies the repetitive tasks that eat up time and energy. Instead of manually entering the same data into multiple logs, forms, or reports, DS Automation can handle the background work. That means fewer missed steps and more time spent on direct care.

We also connect tools like Zapier or Pabbly to smart calendars so that when a form is submitted—say for a wound consult or MDS meeting—it automatically adds a follow-up task to the calendar. That means the DON isn’t chasing down the IDT team, and meetings don’t fall through the cracks.

And for nurses who prefer talking over typing, voice-to-text tools like Otter.ai allow them to speak their shift reports, wound notes, or resident updates. It’s faster, and often results in more detailed documentation.

Why This Matters: Supporting Staff, Not Replacing Them

These are tools we’ve seen work—not just in theory, but in real buildings. When staff are properly supported, they have more time for residents, fewer documentation errors, and better outcomes across the board.

"AI isn’t some future trend—it’s here, and we’re already using it to get results. With an MSN in Informatics, I’ve seen what happens when we give good people better tools. It’s not about replacing staff—it’s about supporting them."
— Demetrius Kirk, Senior Consultant, SMK Medical

Ready to Train Your Team and Take Action?

SMK Medical offers real-world AI training and hands-on education to help your team start smart.

Visit SMKMed.com or call 313-314-8267 to book a call with our team of long-term care AI experts.

“Nursing home staff using technology for care planning and compliance – powered by AI tools in LTC”