Tech-forward approach to care
Technology
Implementing technology within care homes is an efficient way to streamline processes and administrative tasks, allowing staff to focus directly on caring for residents. This includes electronic health records, scheduling software, and communication tools. Thanks to the continuing evolution of AI (artificial intelligence), we may see even greater benefits within the near future. For example, thanks to existing resident data, such as medical histories, dietary needs, mental health and capacity and physical abilities - AI algorithms can analyse resident’s data to create a personalised care plan that uniquely accommodates their individual needs. Reducing not only the time spent on creating care plans for each individual, but also improving processes in the overall management of care homes.
There is a great deal of research being conducted across the world to help address the challenge of staff shortages in care, and technology is being developed with these needs in mind. The care home of the future will look progressively different as time goes on. For example, wearable devices such as fall pendants have been utilised in care homes for some time, yet continuous development of new devices is on-going. Innovative socks which combine sensors with artificial intelligence could help care staff detect agitation and prevent falls in people with dementia, reducing the burden on staff. Tracking heart rate, sweat levels and motion gives insights into the wearer’s wellbeing, providing accurate insight into a person’s cognitive state and distress levels.
Looking even further, robots are being developed for care homes and being implemented for use now in Japan. The robots support the home in a variety of ways, such as interacting with residents that have dementia and providing support with other recreational activities, as well as assisting carers lift residents in and out of bed.
Personalised Care
In the aftermath of the global pandemic, social isolation and loneliness for residents in care homes has increased dramatically and residents often feel disconnected to the wider world. As the number of residents in care homes increases, staff will have less time to socialise with residents and instead, focus on more urgent tasks around the facility. Therefore, it is crucial that residents have better access to the wider world through the internet, as good communication and socialisation is key for improving a resident’s quality of life and mental health. Thanks to technology such as video calling, which has become more accessible through smart phones and other devices, residents can now easily chat with family and friends whenever they want to, boosting morale.
Promoting independence through personalised care plans is another way care homes can reduce the pressures of carers. A standardised approach to care for everyone is not appropriate, as no one individual is the same and every resident will have different abilities and requirements. For example, residents who can perform everyday tasks, such as getting dressed and brushing their hair, should be encouraged to do so. Tailoring care plans to residents' individual needs allows for more efficient use of resources. Therefore, staff can focus on providing specific and targeted care, minimising the time spent on unnecessary tasks.
Upholding infection control
As the number of residents increase, so does the amount of laundry which plays a vital part in upholding infection control and prevention. Thanks to integrated platform solutions such as Miele MOVE, care homes can now facilitate more streamlined processes within their laundry room. With intelligent monitoring and assistance tools, staff can access machine’s data at any time though any internet-enabled device. This provides information such as when a machine is available and when a machine encounters errors, minimising downtime. Process data from programmes is also saved to allow performance to be reviewed and to assist with hygiene compliance; meaning staff can ensure a hygienically clean wash is completed every time, for the protection of residents and staff alike.
Our solutions for care homes are specifically designed with the sectors’ needs in mind. Our 360PRO solutions deliver the highest standards of cleanliness, allowing care homes to focus on what’s truly important - delivering the best quality of care to its residents for a happy and healthy life. Find out how our solutions can help you future-proof your care business here.
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- 1.https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/ageing-and-health#:~:text=People%20worldwide%20are%20living%20longer,aged%2060%20years%20or%20over.
- 2.https://www.theaccessgroup.com/en-gb/health-social-care/sectors/care-homes/technology-in-care-homes/
- 3.https://www.imperial.ac.uk/news/246675/new-research-using-smart-socks-could/
- 4.https://www.theaccessgroup.com/en-gb/blog/hsc-independence-in-health-in-social-care/
- 5.https://www.openaccessgovernment.org/technology-care-homes/77454/
- 6.https://www.telegraph.co.uk/global-health/science-and-disease/ai-robots-elderly-homes-social-care-health-secretary/
- 7.https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesbusinesscouncil/2023/06/02/the-coming-ai-revolution-in-home-care/?sh=2e11fc582508
- 8.https://www.care2nurse.com/post/leveraging-artificial-intelligence-10-ways-ai-benefits-nursing-homes#:~:text=Language%20processing%20AI%20can%20aid,and%20enhancing%20overall%20well%2Dbeing.&text=AI%20can%20predict%20when%20nursing%20home%20equipment%20requires%20maintenance%20or%20replacement.