With employers having
to adopt new ways of working, to satisfy guidelines on social distancing and self-isolation,
the moment has arrived for companies to stride confidently into the 21st
century.
One franchise happy to utilise
technological innovation in the care industry is market-leader Home Instead.
One of the unexpected consequences of the current Coronavirus pandemic appears to be a greater reliance on technology.
With employees being instructed to work more from home, the need to utilise our laptops for staying in touch with colleagues has gathered pace.
Microsoft has been quick to publicise their Teams platform, with people all over the globe improving their computer skills in leaps and bounds.
Not only are employees becoming more proficient with existing computer-based systems, they are also getting to grips with brand new software processes.
In many ways, it is one of the few benefits of this dreadful period, which may well witness huge changes in the way we live our lives – both at home and in the workplace.
We are having to make adjustments in order to satisfy new health and safety rules and, as a result, are becoming more reliant on technology for communication.
Video conferencing is becoming more and more popular, with many people developing new skills they never thought they would ever need. But needs must, as they say!
One company which is certainly not afraid to embrace this challenge head-on is
Home Instead.
This fast expanding franchise discussed the rapid development of technological advances at their annual conference last year – long before Covid-19 became a reality and an issue.
Although aware that technology alone will never replace the personal touch, Home Instead‘s ‘high-tech, high-touch’ approach is all about using smart technology to support one-to-one care in the home environment.
Technological advances are helping families communicate better, while responding to the needs of their elderly relatives during the many different stages of their care journey.
And in today’s stressful world, made worse by the threat of Covid-19, they are proving to be a lifeline for families who have been forced apart because of the dangers of this terrible virus.
Ruth Brown, Home Instead‘s business development director, explains, “Over the past decade, technology has changed the way we interact with the world. And now, the tech revolution is changing the way care is being delivered.
“Many of us are familiar with mainstream high-tech health gadgets, as well as apps, such as the Fitbit and the Couch To 5K app.
“But the rapid advancement in technology has allowed for even more sophisticated technology to be placed into people’s homes.
“This provides connectivity, and allows us to track behaviours and monitor health.
“At
Home Instead, our franchise owners and their teams are embracing technology, delighted with the benefits it can bring.
“More than ever we continue to provide new and innovative services to the network.”
One such example is GrandPad. This is a tablet device which allows clients to send voice mails, view pictures, watch videos, listen to music, play games and make video calls. It is operated by selecting from a simple set of screen icons.
It provides better connection for families, while giving them additional peace of mind, and this is especially important during times of self-isolation.
Another high-tech example is Home Aware, which uses AI technology to build up a picture of a client’s daily routine.
It provides care teams with a better understanding of their clients’ health and immediate needs, helping them to make informed decisions and adjust care accordingly.
Ruth added: “Our approach to technology is to use it as a catalyst for improved wellbeing for our clients.
“Technology will never replace the personal touch, but it does enable our franchisees to provide clients and their families with an added peace of mind.
“As the market leader in caring for the elderly, we have to look to the future in order to enhance our service.
“We are also striving to provide the best possible support for our franchise owners.
With social distancing in full swing, these technologies are proving to be a game changer for everyone involved in looking after the needs of the elderly.
Home Instead Senior
Care is a franchise whose proven business model delivers top-notch care for the elderly and outstanding results for its franchisees.
There are over 200 successful franchisees within the Home Instead family.
This article was
brought to you courtesy of Home Instead,
the UK’s leading care specialists for the elderly.
