Episode 2: Empowering Aging Populations with Data

Andie Cartwright

Welcome to the Better Living Through Data podcast. I'm your host, Andie Cartwright and today I’m speaking with Anthony Pero about how PointClickCare Life Sciences data is improving outcomes for the aging population.

Anthony Pero

When we talk about the scope of data PointClickCare offers, it really is staggering—over 20 million unique patients and 9 billion daily vitals records. That's not just numbers on a spreadsheet. This is a living, breathing dataset, updated weekly, uncovering the realities of long-term and post-acute care patients in ways that were unimaginable just a decade ago.

Andie Cartwright

And it’s not just the volume of data—it’s the granularity. We’re talking about up to 50 daily observations per patient. Blood pressure, blood sugar, respiration, activities of daily living…even pain scores. It’s all there, and those updates in near real-time make this data a game-changer.

Anthony Pero

Exactly. I I think real-time updates are what truly push the boundaries here. Take drug development, for example. You need to react quickly to data during clinical trials. In one case, I remember this pharmaceutical team used our data to optimize their trial protocols mid-study. It was a respiratory drug for older adults, and they spotted a trend in comorbidities that wasn't obvious in their initial design. They adjusted their inclusion criteria and, honestly, saved the trial.

Andie Cartwright

Right, because they could identify those nuances in real time. That’s what sets this apart—it doesn’t just inform decisions, it accelerates them. And better yet, it supports evidence-based adjustments that are grounded in real-world scenarios.

Anthony Pero

And that level of detail ensures more than just speed. It adds depth. Decisions informed by actual patient outcomes make treatments safer and truly relevant to the vulnerable populations we’re talking about here.

Andie Cartwright

Not to mention, it bridges gaps in understanding those patients. Historically, aging and vulnerable populations were left out of research or, worse, underrepresented entirely. The misconception was that their data wasn’t reliable or they weren’t ideal for trials.

Anthony Pero

We—we know that’s wrong. This data proves the opposite. But there’s still so much to unpack.

Anthony Pero

Building on the point about the data proving misconceptions wrong, the aging population itself represents an incredible opportunity for change. By 2050, the 65-and-older demographic is projected to double in size. That’s not just a statistic—it’s a foundation upon which we can reshape healthcare strategies to better address their needs.

Andie Cartwright

Right, and that population is already facing significant barriers. From delays in care to being underdiagnosed, it’s clear there are gaps we can’t ignore. But here’s the thing—data can, and should, fill those gaps.

Anthony Pero

Absolutely. One glaring issue is access. There’s a misconception that older adults—especially those in long-term care settings—either can’t tolerate treatments or that they’re somehow, I I don’t know, less viable candidates for therapy. The reality couldn’t be further from the truth, especially when you realize they’re often on six or more medications at any given time.

Andie Cartwright

Exactly. And that’s where data becomes so powerful. It shines a light on those overlooked patterns. For instance, underdiagnosed conditions like depression or cognitive decline—you know, things that are treatable but get missed—are clearly visible in the records. These insights open up, really, a chance to intervene earlier.

Anthony Pero

And one area where we’re seeing a lot of those earlier insights is Alzheimer’s disease. It's a space where the data doesn't just show progression but also helps us understand treatment outcomes better. We were talking earlier about an Alzheimer’s case study, let's dive into that.

Andie Cartwright

Right, yeah, this one’s fascinating. By analyzing six years of longitudinal patient data, researchers uncovered trends in symptom onset that they hadn’t spotted before. For example, there were early markers in daily living reports—things like changes in movement patterns or even pain levels—that corresponded with later cognitive decline. It’s the kind of insight that can shape new approaches to detection and care.

Anthony Pero

And the implications there are massive. Imagine being able to predict those early signs and intervene before significant decline sets in. It not only improves quality of life but fundamentally shifts how we think about, and treat, aging.

Andie Cartwright

And the data doesn’t just stop at detection, right? It extends into treatment patterns. For instance, how different medications interact, what side effects might look like across populations, even adherence trends. It’s all interconnected.

Anthony Pero

It is. And when you stack that level of understanding against what we used to know—or not know—the difference is night and day.

Anthony Pero

And speaking of those interconnected insights, at the heart of revolutionizing healthcare strategies is really understanding the patient journey and the outcomes that make the biggest impact. With tools like PointClickCare, health professionals now have a way to dig deeper—optimizing therapeutic strategies, identifying how medications interact, and seeing how they genuinely improve lives. It’s the kind of actionable insight we’ve been talking about, but now fully amplified.

Andie Cartwright

Right, and the tools don’t just offer raw numbers. They also provide visual dashboards, real-world clinical datasets—things that help researchers and stakeholders quickly see what’s working and what isn’t. For instance, those provider alerts that allow immediate action when something critical happens? That’s huge for driving better care; faster.

Anthony Pero

It really is. And maybe the most significant advantage here lies in the ability to tune into market strategies. I I still remember a pharmaceutical company that used these data insights to, well, absolutely nail their market penetration for a new drug targeting rheumatoid arthritis. They identified underdiagnosed populations by digging into prescription switching behaviors—and here’s the thing—they increased their trial recruitment numbers exponentially.

Andie Cartwright

Yeah, because they weren’t just guessing. The data pinpointed exactly where the gaps were, and that precision saved them both time and, honestly, millions of dollars. And look, that’s just one example. These tools are built to optimize every stage of the product lifecycle—development, deployment, and even sales strategies.

Anthony Pero

And it’s not just about optimizing for companies—it’s the patients that benefit the most. By understanding drug utilization patterns, adherence trends, even adverse events in real time, the treatments developed are safer, more effective, and—importantly—tailored to the vulnerabilities of aging populations.

Andie Cartwright

Exactly. This kind of tailored approach isn’t just about tackling diseases—it’s about improving the quality of life. Whether it’s managing multiple comorbidities, easing the burden of care, or making healthcare truly accessible for older adults, the potential impact here is profound.

Anthony Pero

And the best part is, we’re still at the beginning of what’s possible. With longitudinal data and tools like these, we’re not just identifying solutions faster; we’re building a future where healthcare can be transformative at every step of the patient journey.

Andie Cartwright

So, what’s next? It’s about continuing to push boundaries. More insights, more innovation, and, frankly, better lives for the populations we often overlook.

Anthony Pero

And on that note, I think that’s a perfect place to wrap for today. Andie, always a pleasure having these conversations with you.

Andie Cartwright

Same here, Anthony. Thanks for sparking such critical discussions. I’m excited about where all this is going.

Anthony Pero

And thank you to our listeners for joining us on this journey. Until next time, take care and let’s keep innovating.