Care technology


leading to a significant increase in the amount and types of data available. Technology and data will become


highly strategic assets that can deliver digitally-enabled health and care services. Not only can the digitisation of services improve models of care, but it also provides opportunities to deliver community and person-centred care that is tailored to the specific needs of an individual. Health and care technology solutions


also provide benefits for staff and carers within health and care services. Not only do digital solutions reduce workloads and benefit users, but they provide a greater sense of job satisfaction, reduced burden of travel and a greater sense of reassurance that they will be alerted in the case of an incident.


Why we must invest in TECS As highlighted in the aforementioned white paper, technology will play a key role in facilitating collaboration and establishing a modern care platform, which is able to meet the needs of a 21st century, technologically-enabled population. Technology has a key role to play in


increasing the capacity of care homes, and enabling flexibility in the way care is delivered, for example, using sensors and wearables to detect falls, and remote health monitoring. This enables care to become more proactive and predictive while enabling care home staff to provide more meaningful and personalised interactions with residents. It has also been widely deployed to help residents keep in touch with family when visiting has been impossible. Care homes can use technology to


deliver a robust platform for health and care delivery, connecting people to enable more proactive and preventative care. Investment in technology solutions now will also mean we have a sustainable and scalable network in place should we ever have to face a crisis like Covid-19 again. Assistive technology supports


sophisticated health monitoring and


proactive care planning, ensuring care home staff provide support where it is needed most. Discrete monitoring of activity can detect any decline in wellbeing at an early stage and allow interventions that can reduce or delay the need for more complex care. Likewise, the ongoing monitoring of vital signs and symptoms can give an early indication of deteriorating health, and clinicians can view data via an online portal to identify residents most in need of intervention. Technology can work across a wide


range of devices including wearables and mobile phones, so that carers can manage the safety of residents from anywhere at any time, securing rapid responses, and enabling person- centred care delivery. Early detection of changes in the behaviour of residents and solutions tailored for individual needs can also create more effective care delivery and support management in making better informed, data-driven decisions. Although care home operators and


staff have focussed on treating people with Covid and limiting the spread of the virus, there are many vulnerable people living in care homes who have needs that must still be met. Consistent health monitoring, TECS and wearable devices


The acceleration in collaborative action and investment in TECS have highlighted how quality care can be consistently delivered, even during a pandemic


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all enable care home residents and their carers to effectively manage health and care needs, even during a global health crisis.


The benefits of TECS in practice Park View nursing home in Halifax is a 41-bed care home that offers comprehensive and individualised 24-hour care. The home had an 18-year old nurse call system, which used wall- mounted units in residents’ rooms and would emit loud alarms throughout the building if a resident activated the unit. Several screens in communal areas of the building would also give details of the resident asking for assistance. As the existing nurse call system was


coming to the end of its life, the Park View management team replaced the system with Carecom. This technology is better suited to the demands of modern care delivery, by enabling care to be designed around individual residents. The majority of the system is wireless, meaning installation is fast and straightforward, and it allows users to raise alarm calls should they require assistance. This new system has enabled Park


View to deliver more bespoke and dignified care with a less restrictive approach. It has also created a calmer atmosphere in the home, due to the reduced noise, and is supporting better care planning by providing greater insight into residents’ care needs.


What next? We have seen the adoption of technology across health and social care deployed at a pace and scale


www.thecarehomeenvironment.com • December 2021


©Tunstall Healthcare


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