Environments for Aging is previewing some of the upcoming educational sessions in a series of Q+As with speakers, sharing what panelists plan to discuss and key takeaways they’ll offer attendees.
Session: “Harnessing AI: Transformative Applications in Design, Construction, and Operations”
Sunday, April 27, 1:30-2:30 p.m.
Speakers: Andy Fetzer, architect, Erdman; Ray Oborn, executive vice president, asset management, American Healthcare REIT; Isaac Wallace, market sector leader – senior living, Erdman; James Worker, design project manager, Erdman
As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to revolutionize design, construction, and operations within the senior living sector, it’s imperative that community operators and design professional stay up-to-speed on the latest strategies and applications of AI.
During this EFA Conference + Expo session, speakers will share insights into AI’s role in optimizing design processes, improving construction efficiency, and enhancing operational outcomes.
Isaac Wallace (Headshot credit: Erdman)
Environments for Aging: How is AI being used now to optimize design and construction processes in the senior living sector?
Isaac Wallace: AI is starting to be integrated into many of the tools and programs that we use on a day-to-day basis. We see AI agents (automated customer service bots) in many of the companies where we purchase goods and services. We have AI integrations into the software tools we use during construction contract administration, and some firms are starting to leverage AI to streamline the design process, such as simplifying repetitive tasks and coordination in design detailing and augmenting visualizations to find alignment with less time investment early in the design process.
What are some key benefits?
Wallace: We see AI as a force multiplier versus a human replacement. This allows people to spend time doing the things that have the biggest impact in design, construction, and senior living operations. Where caregivers can leverage technology to spend more time focused on providing personal care to residents, designers can leverage technology to have more time on developing innovative design solutions, and tackling industry challenges like the senior living for the middle market.
Ray Oborn (Headshot credit: Courtesy of Ray Oborn)
What are examples of improved outcomes that project teams have seen on projects that utilize AI?
Ray Oborn: On the operations side, there are impressive stats around the use of AI-monitored cameras for fall detection and prevention. For example, in the American Healthcare REIT portfolio, communities with an AI-powered platform for fall prevention and detection, have seen a 40 percent reduction in overall falls, and an 80 percent decrease in falls with injuries resulting in an emergency department visit. In addition, those communities on average have increased length of stay by four months, resulting in a $200,000 per year increase in net operating income per community.
Many of the improved outcomes on the design side are a little less tangible, but there is little doubt that leveraging multiple design iterations as quickly as possible is leading to better alignment across project teams and less revisions later in the design process.
Are there challenges or limits to adopting AI in senior living design? If so, what are they?
Wallace: Yes, just seeing the term “AI” evokes many different emotions and opinions in people. There are ethical concerns around when it’s okay to use AI and when is it taking away the human touch.
The idea of having an AI-monitored camera in your bedroom doesn’t sit well with everyone. There is a lot of fear about the unknown. Is AI taking our jobs? Is AI taking the soul out of art? Leveraging AI isn’t the right choice for every situation.
What’s one takeaway from your session that you hope attendees will walk away with?
Wallace: We hope that people will walk away with a little less apprehension around AI and maybe even one or two ways they might be able to leverage AI in their tasks, leaving more time to do their best thinking that leads to innovation.
Find updates and additional information on the 2025 EFA Conference + Expo here.
