TECHNOLOGY (INCLUDING MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS)
Keep Calm and Care On
Norman Niven, Chief Executive of independent living
specialist
telmenow.com, discusses how mobile carers can embrace technology to help manage their days.
With many patients to juggle, attending to them all in one day can be overwhelming for mobile care assistants. As a carer, the wellbeing of each patient will play on your mind but, by adopting the right technology, you can ensure your patient is safe in the home, taking away any added pressure you may be feeling.
Monitoring systems may be the best way of using technology to ease the stress of managing several patients in one day. Depending on the level of monitoring you require per patient, chances are there is something on the market that will make your job slightly easier.
KEEP ON TRACK Using something with a GPS tracker and alarm, such as a watch, is a great option as it means you can see where the client is at all times. They can also alert you if they feel unwell, or suffer a fall, with a touch of a button, which will then send a message to your phone. If your patient doesn’t want to wear a watch there are other alternatives, such as the Pebbell GPS Tracker and SOS alarm. It is a small device that can fit in any pocket and can be pressed in case of emergency. This would alert you to a user’s distress and you can then act upon it. If you’re worried about patients wandering out of their residence, a gadget like this can also set a defined geographical location so that if they did walk into the street for some unknown reason, you would be alerted and you could get in touch to ensure that everything is okay.
PEACE OF MIND With equipment like this, you can leave the patient unattended but still
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be aware of them. It is particularly useful if you have made a visit in the morning and felt they seemed uncomfortable. Rather than worrying all day, you can continue your visits with the peace of mind that your phone will ring in an emergency.
The case may be that you have a patient that doesn’t need regular visits. Again, to supplement your involvement with your loved ones you could acquire a plug-in device, such as the 3Rings Plug, which can tell you something hasn’t been used for a while, letting you know that you should probably make an extra trip to the patient’s house.
A STRONG CONNECTION Connect a device to everyday household items, like kettles, and set a regular time of use. If the kettle hasn’t been boiled all day, the device will send details to your phone. You can then call your patient and check that they are well.
If you have a particularly good relationship with one of your patients or their family, it could be worth your while encouraging them to install a Reach Alarm unit. This takes away any concerns about someone being on their own. They often come with both a portable button and an alarm pad with a larger button for calling for help. If they have any odd pains, feel frightened or confused about anything, or if they fall, they can just press the button on the pad or pendant and it will automatically call you.
A product like this gives the carer a little more flexibility and can instil confidence into those who want to
pressure by ensuring patients can always contact them.”
carers can relieve any added stress or
“By utilising
telmenow.com,
continue living independently at home but may sometimes feel slightly apprehensive about being left alone. Knowing that you can be reached in an emergency brings peace of mind to you as the carer, your patient and their family.
By utilising
telmenow.com, carers can relieve any added stress or pressure by ensuring patients can always contact them. Knowing that a touch of the button is all it takes to receive help will give both them and you peace of mind, helping you to relax whilst you make visits to your other patients.
www.telmenow.com www.tomorrowscare.co.uk
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