By Nicky Whittaker, National Account Manager at Miele Professional
Technology is changing the world around us at a rapid pace. For most of us, it’s difficult to imagine life without the convenience it brings to all aspects of our lives. When it comes to the care sector, technology can play a significant role in improving quality of life for residents and carers alike. Digital advancements in health monitoring, communication, and social engagement are already making a positive impact by bringing efficiencies to care services and enjoyment to the lives of residents.
These are some of the ways it is currently being utilised and what we can expect from the future.
Enhanced communication and connectivity
One of the major problems experienced by residents is isolation. But thanks to digitalisation, the challenge of communication with their loved ones is a thing of the past. Regular video calls through laptops, tablets and smart phones can help ease a resident’s emotions and make a person feel less lonely. Whilst residents of today are learning to use this technology and might need assistance from care providers, future generations will likely be more tech-savvy and expect these types of digital tools to be commonplace in the care home.
Streamlined administrative processes
Technology can assist care home staff to ease administrative activities like scheduling, record keeping and stock management. Software such as our Miele MOVE platform provides a whole host of benefits for care homes, such as the documentation and control. 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.
These types of advancements are going to bring greater efficiencies in the future, freeing-up care workers and easing the load on time-consuming tasks.
Personalised healthcare services
The progression of digitalisation and its part in quality of life is expected to bring many benefits to the care industry. From having sensor systems that detect falls immediately to wearable devices that monitor health to environments that respond to voice commands. With more data available to help create a picture of a resident’s health, care providers will be better equipped to respond to their personal needs. Residents will also have more autonomy, especially in situations where the environment around them can be adapted to their needs with just a push of a button.
With digitalisation already bringing many benefits to the care industry, advancements in the future will undoubtedly improve quality of life for the next generation of residents whilst creating greater efficiencies for care professionals. Care homes that embrace digitalisation, now and in the future, will be able to use this to their advantage to provide a more personalised level of care, an approach that is becoming increasingly demanded and expected.
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