Connectivity
The hidden backbone: Why Wi-Fi infrastructure is critical to care homes
A strong resilient Wi-Fi network is no longer a nice to have in a care home increasingly reliant on digital care and business tools. Calla Marenghi outlines the issues facing providers and offers a practical upgrade roadmap.
Within most care homes, the residents, staff and visitors increasingly rely on connected devices, cloud systems, remote monitoring, video communication, staff mobile tools, alarms and telecare systems. A strong, resilient Wi-Fi network is
no longer ‘nice to have’ but it is central to quality of care, efficiency and future- proofing your facility. For care homes, poor connectivity can delay care delivery, reduce staff productivity, compromise resident well-being, and create risks when alarm or telecare systems fail. With the UK’s analogue phone and
landline network due to be switched off by January 2027, the importance of reliable, site-wide connectivity is amplified, as many
systems that traditionally relied on copper lines will now depend on digital alternatives such as ‘voice over internet protocol’ (VoIP) phones and Wi-Fi capabilities. A third of residential care providers
(33 per cent) who took part in a recent government survey said they anticipate needing faster broadband within the next three years to keep up with technological demands. In this article, I explore the value of
Wi-Fi in the care home context, outline the connectivity challenges providers face, examine the significance of the digital switchover for its’ infrastructure, and offer a practical upgrade roadmap for care homes’ planning.
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www.thecarehomeenvironment.com May 2026
Why Wi-Fi matters in a care home Connectivity impacts how residents interact with their environment and loved ones. For many older adults, tablets, video calls, streaming services, voice-enabled assistants and smart devices provide vital connection with family and help maintain dignity and independence. Studies show that many care homes still
do not meet residents’ communications needs, and lack of good Wi-Fi contributes to digital exclusion - strong Wi-Fi enables residents to use video calls, voice assistants and smart technology to stay engaged and connected. Meanwhile care home staff rely on mobile devices, apps, remote monitoring platforms,
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