Technology in Care Homes

Technology in care encompasses everything from personalised care planning software to remote monitoring systems, or assistive technological innovations like virtual communication tools and smart home automation. These tools and platforms enhance health and safety outcomes, promote better communication, but also help to promote social connection between residents.

In this article, we are going to dive into these technological innovations and how they continue to contribute to the care sector.

Technology is gradually transforming the care home landscape, improving resident safety through real-time monitoring and reducing isolation by enabling meaningful social connections. It can take different forms, from care planning and rostering software to wearables that help detect falls, and devices that offer cognitive support for dementia sufferers.

Though these are only some recent examples, technology was introduced to the social care sector decades ago. It has continuously evolved since then, particularly in the case of basic tools like mobility aids and emergency call systems. Over time, these innovations paved the way for the development of telecare and support for individuals in their homes, followed by the digitisation of documents and records and other digital devices.

Today, technology continues to advance with the introduction of smart devices, AI-powered tools and diagnostics and a range of personalised care platforms, all with the same goal— enhancing the quality of care.

Below we are going to have a look at how technology can help achieve this goal by boosting efficiency, safety, and what it can do to help with decisions, proactive interventions, and lighten the administrative burden on carers and managers.

Enhanced Resident Safety

Safeguarding residents is a top priority in all care homes. A variety of tools and systems are used to protect residents and support staff in their everyday tasks. With the help of fall detection alert systems and devices that track vital signs and sleep patterns, care staff can be immediately notified when unusual activity or other incidents happen, leading to less injuries and much faster response times. Door alarms and GPS tracking systems help protect individuals under the risk of wandering outside their room or even leave the care home.

Many systems offer features that keep families informed, through mobile updates, video calling, or giving them access to care logs. A combination between care and technology can better equip care homes to meet residents’ needs whilst reassuring family and friends that their loved one is safe and looked after.

Streamlined Administration

Automating time-draining paperwork allows staff to focus more on spending meaningful time with residents and focus on their wellbeing rather than manual paperwork. With digital systems, information comes up quicker and is more accurate and more accessible across teams.

For example, scheduling and rostering tools help with assigning and tracking shifts and optimise staff deployment according to real-time needs and situations, reducing the likelihood of burnout in the process. Digital care planning software and Electronic Care Records enable continuity of care by allowing for up-to-date resident information on medication administration and compliance tracking from mobile devices, improving reactiveness and reducing the risk of omissions and errors. 

Improved Wellbeing and Social Connections

Generally, interactive technologies have been developed to reduce loneliness and foster a sense of connection between people, but this can be applied in care homes as well, particularly among residents who may face isolation from family and friends. Dedicated communication apps help residents stay in touch with loved ones no matter the distance, preserving their sense of identity and belonging. 

Resident Independence and Comfort

One transformative role of technology is its ability to contribute to residents’ emotional health, their independence and dignity even when they are heavily reliant on constant assistance.

For example, smart home technologies allow people to voice control different settings in their space, like lighting or heating without needing someone else’s help, or medication reminder tracker apps or dispensers enable residents to live self-sufficiently and improve outcomes.

These technologies, however, are not solely focused on health, but on general wellbeing and entertainment.

Occupational therapy (or ergotherapy) is a treatment that helps a person overcome challenges, physical or social, by engaging them in meaningful activities with the goal of maintaining cognitive function. Telerehabilitation tools such as exercise programs, VR (virtual reality) are used in occupational therapy with the purpose of regaining confidence, quality of life and cognitive health, especially after an injury or illness. 

Assistive technology (AT) is a term used to describe systems or devices that help the elderly and people with disabilities perform day-to-day tasks that they may be struggling with, improving their quality of life and giving them the confidence to live life on their own terms, in a care setting or in their own homes.

Assistive tools have a long history, dating back centuries ago. The earliest innovations were limited, taking the form of prosthetic limbs made out of metal or wood ear trumpets for amplifying sound. With the rapid evolvement of technology, they evolved into much more complex forms, encompassing a range of digital or mechanical solutions targeting very specific needs, evolving into mobility scooters, stair lifts, adapted computer screens, and more. 

Telecare is a service built to monitor residents’ interfaces and alert caregivers in case of an emergency. It can be used by any individual who suffers from an illness, recovering from a serious injury, or is in danger of losing their agency and independence. Certain systems can detect if the person is conscious or not, alerting family, neighbours or emergency services.

These systems are different depending according to need, like bed or door sensors that can activate when a resident hasn’t returned after a prolonged period of time, when they are prone to falling or wandering outside a designated area.

While Telecare refers more to technologies that support people in their daily lives, Telehealth focuses on monitoring and managing a person’s health condition. This includes devices that measure blood pressure, glucose and oxygen levels, and heart rate.  

Telecare and telehealth are two distinct but complementary systems, and together, they create a foundation for person-centred care, through proactively managing both medical needs and daily welfare.

If you would like to read more about Telecare, and how it merges with Telehealth, click here.

These technologies are designed particularly for individuals living with dementia, Alzheimer's disease or other cognitive impairments. They aim to enhance memory, reduce confusion and overall foster a higher standard of living.

One example is reminiscence therapy technology.

Reminiscence therapy refers to a number of techniques used to stimulate mental activity, evoke memories or past events. Technologies used for this approach involve touchscreens or tablets where storybooks, old photos, videos or music are stored. They are meant to stimulate long-term memory and encourage meaningful conversations between residents and their caregivers.

Some care homes also use digital (or physical) memory boxes, containing familiar pictures, items to help residents recognise their own space and remind them of past experiences.

Other key support tools include talking clocks, calendars, or watches with clear and bold displays and integrated voice reminders, designed to aid those suffering from memory loss. These help them bothkeep track of their time and reduce disorientation.

This term refers to different communication methods used to support speech for individuals who are having difficulties communicating verbally. In care homes, AAC is particularly important for residents with conditions like Parkinson’s, dementia, stroke or other disabilities that impedes someone’s understanding of language.

Low-tech options for AAC include sign language, communication boards or books with symbols and bold letters that the person can point to. In short, they are communication tools that are not powered by batteries and electricity, are more accessible and ideal for residents with limited technological experience.

On the other hand, types of high-tech AAC are custom devices, like eye-tracking and speech-generating devices, or tablet-based communication applications that can convert text or symbols into speech. This type of AAC, though more engaging and customisable, requires a setup, maintenance and staff training

Artificial intelligence (AI) is supporting the care sector by enabling a more responsive, holistic care, through tools that help care workers streamline administrative tasks and monitor health in real-time.

Generative AI analyses vast amounts of care and health data and uses it to identify patterns, predict outcomes and tailor care strategies in order to meet the individual’s needs more effectively and accurately.

The health and social care sector is increasingly embedding the use of artificial intelligence to deliver more proactive, personalised services and enhance resident safety. Within the NHS, AI guidance helps with speeding up the diagnoses of diseases and managing different conditions through predictive tools and virtual wards.

The integration of AI is changing the process of monitoring, analysing, and care planning within the health and social care sector, enhancing the way healthcare professionals assess and support their clients. Here’s how it works:

AI model will analyse a person’s social data in order to identify their needs and preferences. From here it will draw patterns in the individual’s medical history, daily routines and other conditions, and help build a more bespoke care plan that adapts to the individual’s health changes.

This also helps support care workers by flagging potential issues and concerns early, such as an increased risk of falls, ensuring care plans are not only customised, but also proactive and responsive. For example, it can customise care plans by recommending lifestyle changes or support services, adjust the care plan as soon as new data becomes available, or suggest specific medication plans or specific interventions depending on individual risk factors.

In this article, we have provided an outlook on how technology is shaping the present and future of care homes, but also how it impacts and supports the social care sector. All technologies - from digital care plans to AI-powered tools - are built to improve the quality and safety of care delivery whilst also promoting autonomy in residents’ lives and enabling a more person-centred support.

Particularly for residents with sensory, cognitive or mobility difficulties, these innovations are there to offer greater control over how they make their everyday decisions. When remote monitoring and live updates are set up, families gain reassurance and a deeper sense of connection knowing that their loved ones are cared for.

With thoughtful planning and inclusive implementation, technology can become a trusted partner in a dignified and person-centered care setting that enhances the lives of residents.

The Access Group’s goal is to support you as we are moving into a new chapter of innovation in care home technology.

Our leading care home management software is an all-in-one solution for raising care standards, streamlining operations and enhancing resident wellbeing, offering you more freedom by centralising all your digital solutions into a single place, including medication management, rostering, alerts, and live updates.

Book a demo today to find out more about how our care home software solutions empower your team with the technology to deliver smarter and connected care by improving compliance and placing residents at the heart of every decision.