The Era of Enhanced Communication with Social Care Providers
Moving a loved one into a care facility is a significant decision for any family, and is often one which is accompanied by feelings of loss, sadness, and even guilt. For care homes, the challenge is to ensure that a resident’s family and friends are kept informed about their loved one’s health and progress, so that they can reassure them that the resident is being well looked after and that the decision to move them into a care facility was the right one.
Communication Challenges During the Pandemic
Since the pandemic began the need for close communication has become even more important, as care homes were closed to visitors for many months. As we described in our Insight 10 Reasons To Go Fully Digital in Social Care, technology such as MS Teams, Google Meet, Zoom, FaceTime and Skype have been put to use as never before, to keep residents virtually in touch with the outside world who were unable to visit. In April 2020, it was announced that NHSX was working with technology firms to help some of society’s most at-risk and isolated people access vital emotional support and companionship. Former NHSX Digital Transformation Director Iain O’Neil said: “Technology has never been so important to providing one of life’s most essential things – the ability to communicate with the people we love regardless of where they are” (NHS works with tech firms to help care home residents and patients connect with loved ones – GOV.UK), a sentiment echoed by Minister for Care Helen Whatley, who said: “Social distancing is tough on us all, and we must remember how beneficial interaction with loved ones is for our wellbeing.”
The Continuing Role of Technology in Care
It is clear therefore that technology can be used to allow residents to communicate directly with their family and friends when visits are not possible. Government restrictions were lifted in July 2021 but this application of technology seems set to remain, ensuring that loved ones who live far away from the resident can keep in close contact. The Care Quality Commission addresses this benefit of technology for residents, stating that it can “help them communicate with families, professionals and staff”.
Beyond Video Calls: Real-Time Information Sharing
However, this is only one way in which communication between a resident, their family, and their care provider, are being enhanced. Being able to see and speak to a resident is vital for loved ones, but what if they could also receive up-to-date information on other aspects of their life, such as nutrition, activities, and care planning?
This closer level of real-time communication is now available through PredicAire, the first holistic care management system powered by Artificial intelligence (Ai). PredicAire was launched in late 2020 offering:
- Easier access to personal records for service users
- Provides ‘real time’ information recording about the care and support people need and receive
- Helps providers, carers and families to be more aware when people’s needs change, and respond to them more quickly
In addition it offers the following benefits to care providers and wider care professionals, for whom enhanced communication means better outcomes for residents:
- The ability to use and compare data to improve people’s care
- Helps information to be shared quickly, accurately and safely to support the provision of health and care services
- Helps to manage and support staff to do their job effectively and efficiently
- Helps to support other important health and care functions, such as service management, planning and research
- Helps to minimise risks such as medication errors, dehydration or missed visits
- Digital storage, requiring less physical space
- Supports better use of resources across the health and care system
Embracing the Future of Care Communication
One positive arising from the pandemic is that the social care sector has, through necessity, been forced to further embrace technology. Residents and families who may previously have been reluctant to communicate virtually, have now seen its benefits. The additional benefits afforded by PredicAire can only enhance the care experience for everyone, ensuring that families and friends can feel that they are close to and involved with the resident’s care when they cannot be there in person.
If you would like to be among the first to experience the revolution in social care communication, contact us to book a demo!