TECHNOLOGY


This will not only include social care, but benefits, equipment, eye and ear tests, advice on cleaning companies, local transport, gardeners etc. and of course technology.


FIVE KEY AREAS WHERE TECHNOLOGY CAN


BRING BENEFITS There are oſten expectations from social workers, clients and families that a traditional care package is what is required to meet a need.


When people think about social care, they generally think of carer visits to assist with personal care, day centre placements to enable social interaction, supported living placements or residential and nursing care.


But not everyone wants a carer visiting them. People can find the visits intrusive, particularly if this is their first experience of needing and receiving additional support. You are also part of a schedule which isn’t designed around their plans and visits can be early or late and just may not fit in with that person’s lifestyle.


“Because technology is used by so many, it is much more


inclusive and doesn’t have to be stigmatising or draw


attention to the fact that they have social care needs.”


Would they manage with a reminder to keep them on top of daily care needs, such as medication or a reminder to keep hydrated, delivered by an electronic device or from a real person at a time of their choosing?


KEEPING PEOPLE SOCIAL AND ACTIVE


Over the past few years there has been a decline in the number of day centres available. Some still believe that a day centre is the only option for social interaction for people of a certain age or with certain conditions.


But what works for one person might be another person’s idea of hell. Instead of being sent to a day centre with people they do not know, undertaking activities they do not enjoy, they would rather go out for coffee or go for a walk with friends. Whatever they enjoyed doing before they will likely still enjoy now!


Technology can enable some people to choose their preferred social activity with a cloak of care that they can take with them.


STRENGTH-BASED APPROACH


We all use technology at home and it is no different for many with social care needs. Age does not need to get in the way of a person’s ability to use technology and we should be looking to utilise what they already have in place in more creative ways. Most people these days have a mobile phone and millions of people have a smart speaker which they use in their


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daily lives and rely heavily upon. Whether it’s finding ways to incorporate these devices into care packages or looking at specific tools, we should think about technology in the same way for those people we are assessing and trying to help.


ENABLING AND INCLUSIVE


Because technology is used by so many, it is much more inclusive and doesn’t have to be stigmatising or draw attention to the fact that they have social care needs. Using a mobile phone, tablet computer or a doorbell with a camera are all common devices used by people regardless of age or ability. But these devices can be set up to assist with social care needs.


COST EFFECTIVE SOLUTIONS


Due to increased pressure on social care budgets we need to think differently about how we can support people with care needs to promote independence and reduce reliance on carers and placements. With a cap on the amount individuals need to contribute towards their social care needs and a critical situation within social care teams, technology can help us to work smarter.


SUPPORTING INFORMAL CARERS


It can be a stressful time for everyone involved when a loved one reaches the stage where they need additional support but technology can not only help someone remain independent for longer, it can also provide reassurance for all those who form part of a person’s care circle, even from a distance. WiFi cameras that families can log into, which incorporate two- way conversation, sensors that can raise alerts directly to a family member’s mobile phone if there is something out of the ordinary and devices which have two-way speech via speakers when an alert is raised or a fall is detected allow vulnerable independent people to have support in the home and out of it. These can all help to support the estimated 4.2 million informal carers that are juggling caring responsibilities with work, family and other commitments.


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