12 Best Patient Engagement Strategies to Improve Care in 2025

Ever noticed how your most successful patients are often the ones who actively participate in their care? That's patient engagement in action — and it's becoming a major competitive advantage for skilled nursing facilities in 2025.

When your residents and their families feel connected to your care team, outcomes improve and satisfaction scores climb. Digital tools, AI assistance, and telehealth are creating exciting new ways to strengthen these connections, even as staffing challenges persist.

In this article, we'll cover:

• What patient engagement actually means for your facility (Hint: It's not just satisfaction surveys.)

• Why traditional engagement approaches are quickly becoming outdated

• 12 practical patient engagement strategies you can implement without overwhelming your staff

• The next wave of engagement innovations your competitors might miss

What patient engagement means and why it matters

Patient engagement can significantly boost referrals and improve multiple facility metrics. This isn't just theory — it's what skilled nursing administrators across the country are discovering as they implement strategic engagement programs.

What exactly does patient engagement mean for your skilled nursing facility (SNF) or post-acute care center in 2025?

At its core, patient engagement happens when your residents and their families actively participate in their care journey instead of passively receiving services. This includes everything from how easily they can communicate with your staff to whether they understand and follow their treatment plans.

The most engaged facilities create two-way communication channels where:

• Patients and families feel comfortable asking questions.

• Care teams provide easily digestible information.

• Decision-making becomes collaborative.

• Progress is tracked and celebrated together.

How patient engagement affects your key metrics

Have you tracked what happens when engagement increases at your facility? The data shows clear connections:

• Better health outcomes: When your patients actively participate in their care plans, recovery accelerates. Research consistently shows that engaged patients experience fewer hospital readmissions — a metric directly tied to your reimbursement rates.
  
  

• Increased provider efficiency: Well-engaged patients require fewer unscheduled interventions. Your nurses spend less time handling preventable issues and more time delivering scheduled care. This translates to more efficient use of your limited staff resources.
  
  

• Higher satisfaction scores: CMS star ratings increasingly factor in patient experience. Facilities with strong engagement programs consistently score higher in patient satisfaction categories.
  
  

• Shorter length of stay: Engaged patients typically reach their recovery milestones faster than non-engaged counterparts. This improves your bed turnover while maintaining quality outcomes.

The trends reshaping patient engagement in 2025

Patient engagement strategies have evolved significantly from the paper pamphlets and occasional family meetings of the past:

• Data-driven personalization: Your most successful competitors are using patient data to customize communication frequency, education materials, and intervention timing based on individual preferences and needs.
  
  

• Hybrid care models: The line between in-person and virtual engagement continues to blur. Forward-thinking facilities now offer family video participation options for care planning meetings and provide telehealth check-ins between in-person appointments.
  
  

• AI-assisted communication: Automated systems now help filter and prioritize patient communications, ensuring critical messages reach the right staff member without delay. These systems learn from interactions to improve their accuracy over time.
  
  

• Family portal access: Facilities seeing the highest engagement scores provide secure portals where authorized family members can view care notes, medication schedules, and upcoming appointments without calling the nurse's station.
  
  

• Proactive vs. reactive engagement: The old model waited for patients to express concerns. Today's approach anticipates needs based on condition, history, and behavior patterns, allowing your teams to address issues before they escalate.

What makes these trends particularly important is that Medicare and private insurers are increasingly tying reimbursement to patient engagement metrics. The facilities that master these approaches aren't just providing better care — they're also protecting their financial sustainability.

Is your facility still approaching patient engagement the same way it did five years ago? If so, the strategies in this article will help you close the gap quickly.

Shift from traditional provider-patient models to AI-driven, personalized experiences

The healthcare relationship is evolving from a one-way street to a dynamic partnership. Research shows that patients now expect more personalized attention and involvement in their care decisions. According to Higgins' concept analysis, the defining attributes of active patient engagement include "personalization, access, commitment, and therapeutic alliance," elements that go far beyond traditional care models.

This shift benefits both patients and providers. The Marzban study found that "engaging patients in collaborative care, shared decision-making with their providers, and chronic disease self-management have improved health outcomes and lead to increases in functioning, reduces pain, and decreases costs."

The role of big data, wearable technology, and predictive analytics

Technology is revolutionizing patient care and how people connect with their healthcare providers:

Big data analytics allow facilities to identify patterns and predict patient needs before they become urgent. The Bombard systematic review identified multiple successful strategies for patient engagement that leverage data, including "techniques to enhance design, recruitment, involvement, creating a receptive context, and leadership actions."

Wearable technology has made continuous health monitoring accessible to nearly everyone. Kim's research demonstrated that "participating in a wireless self-monitoring program motivates people to take more control of their health management" and "patient activation reduces smoking and controls blood pressure." These devices create opportunities for ongoing engagement outside facility walls.

Predictive analytics help identify high-risk patients who might benefit from more intensive engagement. Arvanitis found that predictive tools led "to better physical health and less severity of depressive and anxiety symptoms" by enabling more timely interventions.

Real-world examples of how leading healthcare organizations are redefining engagement

Forward-thinking organizations are already implementing innovative approaches to engagement. Here are some examples.

A German healthcare provider study by Woehrle found that adding a patient engagement tool may help improve adherence to treatment and reduce mask leakage" for sleep therapy patients. This simple digital intervention significantly improved patient outcomes.

Mc Namara's research with community pharmacies discovered that engaging the patient in self-monitoring or documenting blood pressure readings was associated with an increased likelihood of reaching target blood pressure. This engagement strategy turned patients into active participants in managing their chronic conditions.

Newman's systematic review identified specific mechanisms that improve patient safety engagement, including "collaborative strategy development, a user-friendly design, proactive messaging, and agency sponsorship." These approaches give patients clear roles in preventing adverse events.

Has your facility adjusted its engagement strategies to match these evolving expectations? The evidence suggests that those who embrace these changes will see measurable improvements in outcomes, satisfaction, and operational efficiency.

The 12 best patient engagement strategies in 2025

1. AI chatbots and automation

AI-powered communication tools are transforming how skilled nursing facilities connect with residents and their families. These digital assistants handle routine tasks like appointment scheduling, medication reminders, and answering frequently asked questions — freeing your staff to focus on more complex patient needs.

Benefits beyond efficiency

AI assistants offer more than just time savings. They can:

• Provide consistent information across all patient interactions.

• Collect pre-admission data to streamline the intake process.

• Send personalized reminders about appointments and medications.

• Scale to handle volume fluctuations without adding staff.

Real-world results

A recent cross-sectional study evaluated an AI assistant's ability to respond to patient health questions compared to human physicians. The results showed that:

• Evaluators preferred the AI-generated responses nearly 79% of the time.

• AI responses were rated as "good" or "very good" quality 3.6 times more often than physician responses.

• AI responses were judged as empathetic or very empathetic nearly 10 times more frequently.

The researchers concluded that using AI assistants to draft responses for human review could improve patient communication while reducing staff burnout. This hybrid approach maintains the human touch that's essential in healthcare while leveraging technology to enhance consistency and availability.

2. Gamification and behavioral science

Turning health activities into engaging experiences is helping facilities boost patient participation in their care. Gamification uses game-like elements to make healthy behaviors more appealing and sustainable.

Rewards and challenges

Effective gamification programs use point systems, achievement levels, and rewards to motivate patients. These approaches tap into behavioral science principles that make activities more engaging:

• Set clear, achievable goals creates a sense of purpose.

• Regular feedback helps patients see their progress.

• Social recognition reinforces positive behaviors.

• Small rewards maintain motivation between major milestones.

Wearable tech that tracks progress

Wearable devices provide the data foundation for successful gamification. A recent clinical trial with type 2 diabetes patients showed promising results:

• The year-long clinical trial equipped participants with wearable fitness trackers and smart scales.
  
  

• Patients engaged in gamified programs that featured different social elements: support, competition, or collaboration.
  
  

• Those in programs with supportive features or friendly competition walked significantly more steps daily than the control group.
  
  

• The approach worked well across diverse populations, with participation from various age groups and backgrounds.

The research demonstrated that combining behavioral science with wearable technology can increase physical activity over extended periods — particularly important for patients with chronic conditions who need sustained engagement in their health management.

3. AI and predictive analytics for personal care

Predictive analytics helps nursing facilities better understand and address patient needs before problems develop. These tools examine patient information to spot patterns that might be missed during manual reviews.

Predict patient needs and personalize engagement strategies

Modern analytics systems can process lengthy referral documents quickly, pulling out the most important clinical and financial details. This helps your team identify:

• Medications that might require extra monitoring

• Potential payment gaps before admitting a patient

• Special clinical needs that affect staffing or care planning

With this information available early, your team can create more personalized care plans from the moment a patient arrives, rather than adjusting approaches after problems arise.

Enhances chronic disease management

For patients with ongoing health conditions, predictive tools offer real benefits:

• Early warning signs of possible complications can be flagged for staff attention

• Clinical decision support highlights important treatment considerations

• Financial analysis helps find cost-effective care options without sacrificing quality

By looking at what's worked for similar patients in the past, these systems can suggest approaches that have been successful — giving your care team practical guidance on effective ways to engage with each patient.

Predictive analytics allows your facility to address potential issues sooner and create care experiences better matched to each person's specific situation.

ExaCare uses smart technology to help nursing homes and care facilities process patient referrals faster and more accurately. The software analyzes lengthy referral documents, extracts key clinical and financial information, and presents it in an easy-to-understand format.

This allows care teams to make better admission decisions while responding to hospitals within minutes instead of hours.

4. Addressing social determinants of health (SDOH)

Your facility's impact on patient health extends beyond clinical care. Social factors like housing stability, food access, and transportation significantly affect health outcomes and engagement levels.

Community outreach programs

Successful facilities build partnerships with community organizations to create better support systems. These collaborations connect patients with resources that address fundamental needs.

Housing assistance helps patients transition to independent living, while community centers offer social activities that combat isolation.

Improve access to care and address disparities

Health disparities often stem from accessibility challenges that can be overcome. Multilingual communication tools reduce language barriers, while culturally responsive care builds trust with diverse populations.

Effective engagement also considers varying levels of family support and reduces administrative barriers.

Non-medical support like transportation and food security

Practical support makes a big difference in patient wellness. Transportation coordination ensures patients can attend follow-up appointments, while nutrition programs help those facing food insecurity.

Medication management with home delivery options and technology assistance for digital tools also remove common barriers. When patients don't have to worry about basic needs, they can focus more on their health — creating better engagement and improving outcomes.

5. Two-way digital communication

Communication gaps create costly problems for nursing facilities. When patients and families struggle to connect with your staff, small concerns can grow into major issues. Digital messaging tools fix this by opening direct lines between your team and those you serve.

Patient messaging platforms let residents and families ask questions or report concerns without waiting for scheduled calls. This helps your staff identify and address potential problems early, often preventing the need for more intensive interventions.

Automated reminders for medications, therapy sessions, and appointments have shown impressive results in studies. These simple messages reduce no-shows and improve treatment adherence while freeing your staff from making repetitive reminder calls.

6. Remote patient monitoring and virtual care

Remote monitoring technology bridges the gap between facility care and home settings, creating a continuous connection with patients. This approach is proving especially valuable for those with chronic conditions who need ongoing supervision.

Wearable devices enhance engagement for chronic conditions

Wearable sensors and monitoring equipment give your clinical team visibility into patient health between visits. A comprehensive review found remarkable growth in telemonitoring, with nearly half of all research published between 2015 and 2018, and over 76% of studies reporting positive results.

Wireless devices and smartphone apps dominated the monitoring landscape, appearing in more than 75% of studies. This technology works best when combined with virtual education and teleconsultation services.

Real-time alerts prevent complications

The true power of remote monitoring comes from early detection. When patients show concerning vital signs, your team receives alerts before serious complications develop.

For nursing facilities, this capability extends your reach beyond your physical location. You can monitor patients after discharge, maintaining clinical oversight while they recover at home. This approach improves outcomes while building lasting connections with patients and families.

Most patients struggle to remember verbal instructions from care providers. Video content creates engaging, rewatchable explanations that improve understanding and compliance.

7. Videos for treatment explanations and personalized health education

Pre-recorded video instructions ensure all patients receive the same clearly presented information, reducing confusion while freeing up staff time.

The most effective approach is to customize content for specific patient groups. Hip replacement patients might receive videos showing proper transfer techniques, exercise progressions, and warning signs — giving better results than generic materials.

Interactive content increases information retention and engagement

Adding interactive elements like quizzes or knowledge checks turns passive viewers into active participants, improving retention and understanding.

These platforms also track who has watched which videos and identify areas where patients need additional support — helping your clinical team focus their education efforts more effectively.

8. Reaching out to families and caregivers

Family members play a crucial role in patient recovery, yet they're often overlooked in engagement strategies. The best facilities deliberately extend their communication beyond the patient.

Improve adherence and outcomes

When caregivers understand medication schedules, activity restrictions, and follow-up appointments, they become valuable allies in the care plan. This proactive approach reduces urgent calls to your facility and helps prevent avoidable complications.

Patients with involved family members typically experience better recovery outcomes — a factor that directly affects your facility's reputation and performance.

Help caregivers stay connected with patient progress

Digital tools make it simple to keep families informed without burdening your staff. Secure messaging, regular updates, and shared care calendars give caregivers appropriate visibility into their loved one's journey.

What steps has your facility taken to make family members true partners in care? Even small improvements in caregiver engagement can yield significant benefits for everyone involved.

9. Voice assistants in healthcare

Voice technology removes barriers that prevent many patients from engaging with digital health tools. For those with limited mobility, visual impairments, or difficulty using touchscreens, voice interfaces offer a natural way to access care information.

How voice technology enhances patient support and accessibility

Voice assistants can provide immediate answers to common questions without requiring staff intervention. Patients can ask about facility schedules, dietary options, or activity restrictions without waiting for a care team member to become available.

The hands-free nature of voice technology is particularly valuable in healthcare settings. Patients recovering from surgery or managing conditions that limit dexterity can control their environment, access information, and communicate needs without physical effort.

AI-powered speech recognition for symptom tracking and medication reminders

Advanced voice systems now recognize changes in speech patterns that might indicate health concerns. Some platforms can detect subtle shifts in breathing, tone, or word choice that correlate with pain levels or cognitive changes, alerting staff to potential issues.

For medication management, voice assistants provide timely reminders and can answer questions about dosage or potential side effects.

When patients ask, "When should I take my blood pressure medicine?" or "What are the side effects of my new prescription?", the system provides accurate information that reinforces proper medication use.

10. Voice-enabled patient support

Smart speakers and voice assistants have moved beyond novelty devices to become practical healthcare tools. Their intuitive interface makes them especially valuable for patient populations that struggle with traditional technology.

AI-powered voice assistants help patients manage care

Popular consumer devices like Amazon Echo and Google Nest Hub can now be configured for healthcare applications. These familiar systems help patients:

• Schedule appointments or transportation.

• Receive medication reminders with specific instructions.

• Access personalized health education content.

• Report basic symptoms or concerns.

• Control room features like lights, temperature, and entertainment.

These capabilities reduce the feeling of dependency that many patients experience during recovery, giving them more control over their daily routine while still maintaining necessary oversight.

Benefits for patients with special needs

Voice technology particularly benefits several patient groups:

Elderly patients often struggle with small buttons and complex interfaces, but most can easily speak requests. Voice systems eliminate the frustration many seniors feel when trying to navigate digital tools.

Visually impaired individuals gain independent access to information that would otherwise require assistance to read. This autonomy improves both engagement and satisfaction.

People with limited digital literacy can interact naturally through conversation rather than learning complex menu systems or navigation patterns. The learning curve for voice interaction is minimal compared to screen-based interfaces.

Engaging patients effectively requires more than just offering digital tools — it’s about ensuring those tools are accessible, secure, and embraced by both patients and providers. Here’s how to tackle some of the biggest roadblocks.

Patient engagement is changing rapidly, and staying ahead of the trends can make a significant difference in outcomes and efficiency. The next items on this list are the upcoming future trends in patient engagement:

11. AI-powered predictive healthcare engagement

Artificial intelligence is making healthcare more proactive by identifying patient needs before issues arise. Predictive engagement models analyze past behaviors, symptoms, and treatment patterns to flag potential risks.

A patient who frequently misses medication reminders, for example, may need additional support before non-adherence leads to complications. AI can also automate follow-ups, ensuring patients receive timely check-ins based on their specific health conditions.

Blockchain for secure patient data sharing

Data security and accessibility continue to be major concerns in healthcare, and blockchain technology is emerging as a potential solution. In the future, blockchain could allow patients to control their medical records, granting access to different providers as needed without the risk of data manipulation.

This could streamline information sharing while keeping patient data secure and verifiable.

12. Wearable technology: Fitness tracking to real-time diagnostics

Wearable devices are evolving beyond simple fitness tracking. The next wave of engagement will involve real-time health monitoring that seamlessly integrates with care teams. Devices that track blood sugar, heart rate variability, or early signs of deterioration could help providers intervene before a patient’s condition worsens.

As patient expectations shift toward more personalized, tech-driven experiences, healthcare facilities that embrace these trends will be better positioned to improve outcomes, streamline operations, and create stronger patient relationships.

Digital literacy gaps: Making healthcare tech more accessible

Not every patient is comfortable using digital tools, and assuming they are can lead to frustration. Many older adults, people in rural areas, or those without regular internet access struggle with patient portals, telehealth services, and automated messaging systems.

The key is simplicity. Choose platforms that are intuitive and easy to navigate, with clear instructions and minimal steps to complete actions.

Providing hands-on training can make a significant difference. A quick tutorial, a printed guide, or even a short video walkthrough can help patients and families feel more confident using new technology.

And for those who prefer traditional methods, offering alternatives — like phone check-ins or in-person discussions — ensures engagement isn’t dependent on digital access.

Privacy and security concerns: Protecting patient data

With digital communication becoming more common in healthcare, concerns about data security are growing. Patients and families want to know their personal information is safe, and a lack of transparency can create hesitation.

One way to build trust is by clearly communicating security measures. Let patients know their data is encrypted and that only authorized individuals can access it.

Using HIPAA-compliant platforms is a must, and adding extra security steps like multi-factor authentication can provide additional protection. When patients understand how their information is stored and shared, they’re more likely to feel comfortable engaging with digital tools.

Overcoming resistance to new technologies (patients & providers)

Patients may resist digital tools because they seem unfamiliar, while staff might see them as extra work. The solution is to highlight the benefits.

When a tool makes life easier — whether by simplifying appointment scheduling, providing automatic reminders, or making communication more seamless — people are more likely to use it.

Integration is also key. If a new system adds extra steps to an already busy workflow, it will be met with resistance. Technology should streamline care, not complicate it. Gradually introducing new features, rather than rolling out an entirely new system all at once, can also ease the transition.

How to measure and optimize patient engagement

Implementing engagement strategies is one thing — knowing if they’re working is another. Without clear metrics, it’s impossible to tell whether your efforts are actually improving outcomes.

Key performance indicators (KPIs) to track success

A few essential engagement metrics can provide valuable insights:

• Patient portal usage: How many patients and families are logging in and actively engaging?
  
  

• Appointment adherence: Are patients attending their scheduled visits and following treatment plans?
  
  

• Readmission rates: Engaged patients often have fewer hospital readmissions.
  
  

• Patient satisfaction scores: A well-engaged patient is more likely to rate their care positively.

Using data analytics to refine engagement strategies

Patient engagement isn’t static — it requires ongoing adjustments. Data analytics can help pinpoint what’s working and what needs improvement. For example, if text reminders are reducing missed appointments, expanding that approach makes sense.

If certain messages aren’t being read, it may be time to rethink communication styles.

Segmentation can also improve engagement. Not all patients respond to outreach in the same way. Some prefer email, while others engage more with phone calls or mobile app notifications. Using data to personalize interactions increases the chances of meaningful engagement.

A/B testing for better patient outreach

Testing different engagement approaches can help refine strategies. Some patients might respond better to a friendly, conversational tone, while others prefer concise, to-the-point messaging. Trying different formats — like short texts versus detailed emails — can also reveal what gets the best response rates.

By continuously monitoring engagement data and adjusting strategies accordingly, facilities can create a more effective and responsive approach to patient communication.

ExaCare is one of the best digital tools for patient engagement

Engagement strategies only work if your facility can first handle referrals efficiently. When a hospital sends over a patient packet, you don’t have time to sift through hundreds of pages manually — delays mean lost referrals, strained hospital relationships, and missed revenue opportunities.

ExaCare streamlines patient admissions by using AI to process referrals faster, extract key clinical and financial data, and ensure your facility makes informed decisions quickly.

Instead of juggling multiple referral platforms, manually reviewing documents, and trying to assess reimbursement risks on the fly, ExaCare does the heavy lifting.

Here’s what we offer:

• AI-powered referral screener that reviews hospital packets in minutes, enabling quick and accurate admissions decisions
  
  

• Centralized referral management that brings all your sources into one platform
  
  

• Built-in analytics to help you track performance and optimize your referral relationships
  
  

• Automated insurance verification, expensive med alerts, and reimbursement analyses to guard your bottom line.
  
  

•  A unified communication hub to streamline decision-making with colleagues.

Ready to transform your referral process? Talk to our team and see how ExaCare can help you turn engagement into action.

Schedule a demo.