Technology enabled care is vital for alleviating pressure on the NHS

We know that people are now living longer and wanting to remain at home.  As we get used to social distancing and self-isolation in our daily lives, more people are turning to technology to stay in touch with loved ones. People also want to be able to contact emergency services easily, should the need arise.  Connected living offers a free four weeks At Home Alarm following a stay in hospital to provide peace of mind for our customers and their families.

It is a well-known fact that the world’s population is ageing at an alarming rate. Advances in medicine and technology mean we are all living longer. And while, of course, it is a good thing most of us can now expect to live years longer than our parents and grandparents did, this increase in the elderly population is having an impact on our health and social care facilities. More elderly people in society, particularly during a period of uncertainty, means more pressure on health and social services. Doctors’ surgeries, walk-in centres and hospitals are being overwhelmed with older patients, who they are prioritising due to Public England guidelines. The UK government is struggling to keep up with this increase in demand. To compound the problem, care homes in the country are closing due to lack of funds, meaning there are fewer places available for vulnerable elderly people who need to be looked after.

One Answer

One of the ways these problems can be eased is through an increased use of  technology. Various innovations, from smartphones to lifelines, can be used to enable vulnerable elderly people to return home quicker after a stay in hospital.  Technology can also be used to make sure that people who are self-isolating have reassurance that they can summon help at the press of a button.  Most elderly people would prefer to live independently in their own homes for as long as they can, and this can be achieved successfully through a combination of in-house care and the latest technological innovations. Studies have shown that people who keep their independence in advanced old age enjoy better mental and physical health, so it is important that we start using the technology available in more creative ways to enable people to do just that.

What Is on Offer?

There is now a wide range of wearable devices, smart appliances and lifelines available from connected living which can offer a number of helpful ways to keep  vulnerable people healthy and in touch with others. Smart fridges can keep track of what food needs to be ordered, while smart medicine containers can make sure the correct medication is taken at the right time - a task many elderly people struggle with on a daily basis. There are devices which can control the lights, heating and even the curtains in a home, ensuring the elderly person is kept warm and comfortable with little effort on their part. Various technologies are available to ensure an elderly person is safe and secure, including motion detectors to track their movements, secure entrances to ensure only approved people gain access to the home, and lifelines or telecare alarms which can be pressed in the event of a fall or illness to alert the monitoring centre or family member. These alarms and other such devices give added peace of mind to a vulnerable person, their family and friends, as well as ensuring help arrives promptly in an emergency.

For more information around our packages  https://www.aster.co.uk/independent-living/connected-living or call the team on 0333 400 8299.

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