Aged care has transformed exponentially with the use of technology. As the evolving technology becomes a part and parcel of our lives, they have also penetrated into the aged care industry.
With the growing demand to meet the needs of our ageing population, the aged care industry is advancing. They are adopting useful aged care technology to provide better care for the elderly.
Furthermore, the Australian Medical Association (AMA) has placed pressure on the aged care industry to start adopting aged care technology. They hope to drive the industry to “sustainably provide high quality care in the face of an ageing population with complex care needs”.
In this article, let’s explore some of the useful aged care technology you should adopt!
Electronic Medication Management System
Electronic Medication Management System (EMMS) was developed to ensure greater patient safety and improve the quality of healthcare. It is a closed-loop system encompassing prescription, pharmacy review, supply, administration, allergy checks, dispensing, and other medication management processes.
When adopted for aged care, EMMS enables caregivers to easily access records of the elderly’s prescribed medications, and details on when and how they should administer them. There is no need to decipher illegible handwriting or sort through lengthy paper records.
In fact, up to 17% of unplanned hospital admissions from aged care facilities were due to inappropriate medication (Telstra Health). The greater visibility of medication records will allow for more timely and accurate provision of medication to the aged. Hence, this aged care technology minimises safety risks due to inconsistencies or dosing errors.
On top of that, EMMS streamlines and shares the medical data across aged care and healthcare facilities. Updates to records can be viewed in real-time without having to wait for information to be passed down. This can reduce mismanagement of medication and avoid polypharmacy for the aged.
Thus, aged care technology like EMMS improves efficiency and productivity while providing better care for the elderly.
Managed IT services
Managed IT services is the practice of engaging external vendors to provide IT solutions. This includes solutions for networks and servers, software and technology infrastructures, cloud systems, and overall network security and risk management. Adopted as an aged care technology, they support the existing IT infrastructure of the aged care facilities.
24/7 IT helpdesk support
While the caregivers work round the clock to serve the elderly, they could rely on the specialised IT support team to solve any network or technology issues. This allows caretakers to focus on providing quality care for the aged, without the need to divert their attention to solving unfamiliar IT problems. These IT support people can help with the best VPN, security software, antiovirus software and more.
You shouldn’t be expecting caregivers to drop their work and dig through the internet for IT solutions. Especially when the aged require constant and meticulous attention from them!
Cloud infrastructure
This aged care technology also helps to build a cloud infrastructure for existing applications and data. Aged care providers can now access these items anytime and anywhere, and stay connected in a secure cloud environment. Furthermore, cloud storage would allow for data restoration in the case of system failure.
Security
Managed IT service providers can help to safeguard digital assets from privacy breaches. This is especially critical for aged care facilities possessing vast amounts of personal and company data. Besides supplying a safe and reliable network, this aged care technology also helps to meet IT compliance requirements and address security threats effectively.
End-user devices
Lastly, managed IT service providers can set up, test, roll out, and maintain end-user devices that aged care providers require. These devices include laptops, smartphones, or tablets that caregivers need, in order to document information or interact with the aged.
The centralised device management system would license and secure all devices according to the needs of each facility. It also ensures tracking and updating of the devices.
The above are just some of the typical features that managed IT services boast. With a large variety of services, this aged care technology could be a one-stop IT solution for the aged care industry. It is how mobility, security, and efficiency could be attained simultaneously.
Visitor management system
Visitor management system is a digitised version of visitor log books and sign-in sheets. Forgoing pen and paper, this aged care technology automates sign-ins, manages crowds at various facilities, and produces insights on improving visitor experiences.
Sign-in system
Staying compliant with the shifting restrictions and regulations is key during this COVID-19 pandemic. It is no less for the aged care who are tending to some of the most vulnerable people around us.
Sign-in systems ensure visitors undergo a series of checks before they could enter the vicinity. They conducted entry requirements such as temperature screening, health status questionnaires, and provision of vaccination evidence. These parameters could also be adjusted according to the changing regulations.
For easier confirmation of compliance, the system utilises badge-printing. Visitors who have passed the screenings will be given a badge, indicating that they are allowed to enter the vicinity.
Hence, this aged care technology greatly reduces the amount of manual work and enables more efficient check-in processes. It also ensures the elderly are better protected from health risks posed by incoming visitors.
Crowd management
The visitor management system manages a database containing information about the visitors and their declared health statuses. You would be able to monitor the number of visitors on-site and set limits to avoid overcrowding.
Such a feature is especially useful during this COVID-19 pandemic. In any case of outbreaks at the facilities, this aged care technology reports visitors’ information to the Safety Commission or Department of Health to aid in contact tracing. The spread of infection can be contained more quickly which ultimately lowers health risks for the aged.
To assist in queue and crowd management, automatic SMS reminders will be sent prior to visits to the aged care facility. Visitors will also have to confirm their booking slot via SMS. This helps to provide a more accurate estimate of the number of arriving visitors and allows the facility to allocate sufficient manpower for the day.
Additionally, the system would send SMS to remind visitors to leave the facility on time. This allows the flow of visitors to run more smoothly and staff reminders would not be necessary.
Thus, this aged care technology minimises the risk of overcrowding and achieves greater operational efficiency.
Improve visitor experience
You might wonder why improving the visitor experience is necessary for aged care facilities. With the elderly at the heart of the business, their experience would be more vital, right?
Well, it is actually also important to ensure the elderly’s loved ones enjoy the visit to the facility. With satisfied elderly and satisfied families, improving the visitor experience strengthens reliability and confidence in the aged care providers.
Visitor management systems improve the visitor experience through identifying and understanding their post-visit sentiments. The system would send an SMS or email containing a feedback survey link after visitors have left the facility. Otherwise, this aged care technology aids in setting up kiosks and tablets placed around the facility for visitors to provide their feedback.
Common questions asked are:
- How did we do today?
- How satisfied are you with our service?
- Were we able to meet your expectations?
- Would you recommend our service to your friends and family?
- Tell us more about your experience.
The system would continue to monitor and analyse the feedback collected, producing an insightful dashboard for the aged care providers. You would be able to address the service areas that are lacking and effectively improve the visitor experience.
All in all, this aged care technology brings about many benefits if constructively adopted. Companies providing such expert services, like Zipline, can even customise the system to suit the needs of your aged care facility. Be it compliance measures, screening requirements, or post-visit feedback questions.
If you are interested to find out more, book a demo with us today!
In Summary
With the rapid growth of the aged care industry and pressure from the AMA, customers’ expectations have become increasingly challenging to meet. As customers demand greater quality of care, the aged care facilities will have to invest in more resources all while ensuring cost-effectiveness and efficiency.
It would be beneficial for aged care facilities to adopt various aged care technology, such as the above, to achieve business objectives and keep up with demands. Most importantly, they would be able to aid in providing better quality of care for the aged.
