Data Sharing Revolutionizes Senior Care, Reducing Hospital Readmissions
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A growing movement toward interconnected healthcare is empowering providers with the data they need to deliver more complete and proactive care, notably for the nation’s aging population. accessible, relevant data is proving critical in reducing hospital readmissions and improving patient outcomes across the care continuum.
The shift comes as healthcare providers increasingly recognize the limitations of siloed data. Currently,93% of adults 65 and older have at least one chronic condition,and 79% have two or more,making coordinated care more vital than ever.
The Promise of Interoperability
Industry leaders convened at the 2025 LeadingAge Annual Meeting in Boston to discuss the pivotal role of data sharing in enhancing care for older adults. Initiatives like California’s Data Exchange Framework (DxF) and the federal Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement are paving the way for a more modern and connected healthcare ecosystem.
“it changes the whole concept of that discharge plan,as as administrators and operators,we want to make sure that they don’t go back to the hospital again,” said a senior official at Hillcrest,a continuing care retirement community (CCRC) in la Verne,California,who noted their organization’s positive experience with the state’s DxF. The DxF allows caregivers to access a more complete picture of a resident’s health history, extending beyond the limited 72-hour snapshot typically provided by a single electronic health record (EHR).
Real-World Impact: Connecting the Dots Across the Continuum
The benefits of data exchange extend across various care settings. One consultant explained a scenario where a patient discharged from a skilled nursing facility (SNF) connected to a health information organization (HIO) is readmitted to an emergency department (ED) also connected to the HIO. the ED can then instantly alert the SNF, triggering a review of the patient’s care plan and possibly identifying underlying issues requiring intervention – perhaps involving a community-based organization.
Data sharing also streamlines pre-placement activities at CCRCs. Staff can quickly access a prospective resident’s medical history,eliminating time-consuming phone calls and information requests.This allows for more informed care planning from the outset.
Challenges Remain in Achieving Seamless Data Flow
Despite the progress, critically important hurdles remain. According to Argentum’s 2025 technology report, interoperability and data quality are top concerns for senior care organizations. Only 26% report having a “clear and shared understanding of how to define and measure health and wellness outcomes,” and a substantial 77% cite difficulties with interoperability between software tools and data access as a barrier to new technology adoption.
However, the increasing adoption of EHRs – including systems like PointClickCare and Matrix – presents an possibility to overcome these challenges. “There’s so much potential in the data that’s here if we could create the linkages,” one industry leader observed.
The future of senior care hinges on the ability to unlock the power of data, fostering a more connected, proactive, and ultimately, more effective healthcare system
