New White Paper Explores How AI Can Support Aging Populations and Strengthen the Healthcare Workforce

On October 6, 2025, a significant development in healthcare innovation was announced through the release of a comprehensive white paper titled "Aging Well with AI: Empowering Care through Innovation." This publication is the first installment in a two-part series dedicated to examining how artificial intelligence (AI) can bolster the U.S. healthcare workforce and enhance access to quality care for older adults.

Produced by HealthFORCE, a national coalition committed to addressing America's healthcare workforce crisis, in collaboration with the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) and West Health, the report details strategic opportunities for integrating AI into eldercare. Authored by The LINUS Group, a healthcare research and strategy firm, the paper emphasizes AI's potential to alleviate the growing strain on clinicians amid a rapidly aging population and burgeoning workforce shortages.

As the U.S. prepares for a historic demographic shift—by 2034, older adults will surpass children in number—the need for innovative solutions becomes urgent. Lisa M. Gables, CEO of AAPA, highlighted the critical role AI can play in allowing clinicians to focus more on patient relationships rather than administrative burdens.

The report identifies five key use cases where AI can make a significant impact:

1. Home Care Optimization: Automating scheduling, analyzing health data, and supporting family caregivers to prevent delays.
2. Care Continuity: Ensuring smooth transitions across hospitals, homes, and community services to reduce readmissions.
3. Personalized Care Plans: Utilizing comprehensive data to craft individualized treatments and eliminate ageist biases.
4. Early Detection: Applying remote monitoring and predictive analytics to identify health risks before they escalate.
5. Immersive Clinical Education: Using AI-driven VR and simulation tools to train healthcare providers in aging-related issues.

Zia Agha, MD, Chief Medical Officer of West Health, underscored the importance of modernization through AI, illustrating that without policy reforms, the benefits of these innovations could remain unrealized. The white paper advocates for increased investment in geriatric-focused technologies, cross-skill training for providers, nationwide standards for AI integration, and support for value-based care models.

This publication sets the stage for the upcoming second installment, which will explore AI's role across all patient populations and address the projected shortfall of 3.2 million healthcare workers by 2026. As Gables remarked, "AI is a powerful tool that, when used judiciously, can safeguard access and improve outcomes, especially for older adults."

For more details, the full report is available here. Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-10-aging-ai-series-health-workforce.html