The care industry is undergoing a period of transition, and while the future holds some uncertainty, the potential is also exciting. Only a few care facilities currently use the technology that is already available, so there are still hurdles to cross and a long way to go before widespread adoption.
The use of technology in this industry has grown in popularity in recent years, with many care facilities adopting it and reaping the benefits for both residents and personnel. Care facilities around the country must stop being afraid of new technology and instead begin embracing it so that they can reap the benefits.
The COVID-19 pandemic has compelled aged-care providers to develop new ways to keep residents connected to loved ones via the latest technologies and to medical and health complications via telehealth platforms to reduce human contact. Prabhdyal Singh Sodhi demonstrated the importance or impact of technology in the development of health care homes. They are as follows:
> Emergency of Artificial Intelligence:
The bits and pieces of Artificial Intelligence (AI) have been integrated into care facilities around the globe, enabling patient monitoring and early intervention prediction. This technology will undoubtedly permit for a larger ecosystem, allowing for the delivery of care 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
AI-based solutions enable residents’ habitual behavior to be tracked, changes to be detected in real-time, and a platform for end-to-end digitization of healthcare to be provided. These technologies are changing the way care is delivered and boosting the quality and personal component of care, which will relieve stress on caregivers and their families.
In the opinion of Prabhdyal Singh Sodhi, AI-based solutions may track routine behavior, detect changes in real-time, and provide a foundation for complete healthcare digitization. AI-based solutions will help improve the coordination of the ecosystem of local governments, caregivers or providers, trustee boards, registered or travel nurses, and care homes. These innovations are changing the way care is delivered, easing the burden on caregivers and families likewise.
> Implementation of smart home technological appliances:
While smart gadgets became more common in private settings in the last decade, they were not adopted into care home facilities until relatively recently. Caregivers have experienced less stress as a result of automating daily duties, and residents’ well-being has improved – all while care facilities have saved a considerable amount of effort and resources.
In order to become more efficient, the healthcare industry has adopted contemporary technology such as smart home systems, patient monitoring devices, artificial intelligence, and the latest software solutions. Prabhdyal Singh Sodhi believes that the entire healthcare industry must be aware of the potential available, as well as be accustomed to and utilize these modern technologies, since they may be the key to addressing the industry’s difficulties.
> Execution of thermostats:
According to Prabhdyal Singh Sodhi, thermostat technology such as Nest and Hive has been introduced in care homes around the country. Caregivers can easily ensure that places are heated appropriately and temperatures are managed in both collective areas and private rooms, ensuring that both residents and employees are comfortable.
Prabhdyal Singh Sodhi former Director of Abbey Healthcare stressed the fact that individual demands can now be met due to the installation of thermostats in the rooms of residents. Smart thermostats give caregivers an extra layer of control by allowing them to lock the devices, preventing any undesired modifications.
> Usage of smart devices and applications:
Smartphones and tablets are becoming necessary gadgets for residents in care homes across the globe, serving as both a form of entertainment as well as a way to stay in touch with loved ones. Employees can use a wide array of health apps to keep track of residents’ health and medical records, which is a win-win situation.
Smartwatches, like smartphones and tablets, are proving to be particularly useful for dementia patients who have grown disoriented and gone off. Employees may monitor important facts such as heartbeat on a regular basis without the need to put money into pricey additional equipment, similar to fitness trackers.
> Utilisation of face-recognition technologies:
Every technological advancement in aged-care services should have the residents or recipients of care as its primary purpose. Face-recognition technologies are also utilized at the facility, allowing some persons to enter the elevators while other residents will need to be guided. The primary motive is to open up the institution while also ensuring the safety of more vulnerable people. The capable who are at risk are protected while individuals who are navigating the complex autonomously do so
Despite the fact that care facilities have a reputation for being lagging behind when it comes to technology, the industry is steadily coming up, and this standardisation is no longer the case. In recent years, the use of technology in care homes has grown in prominence, with many facilities implementing cloud software, smart home features, and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. The benefits of this technology are available to both residents and employees. While the care sector has improved its technology adoption in recent years, there is still a long way to go.
As previously said, technology is intended to be advantageous not just for patients but also for caregivers by addressing serious challenges such as loneliness. Caregivers will be able to dedicate more time to residents by assisting with everyday core chores, reducing workloads, and widening functions in care homes.
