Head of care, Tina Benson, shares her key insights and lessons learnt from having implemented a new digitalisation tool at Promedica24

Tailoring technology to diverse care needs

When it comes to adopting new technology in social care, one size does not fit all. Different types of care necessitate different software and tools, so it is important to ensure the technology itself is well suited to the care being delivered.

At Promedica24, our top priority is to provide care and companionship while allowing people to remain in the comfort of their own homes and maintain their independence, so we knew that any digital tool we chose had to further this purpose.

As such, we chose Carebeans, as the company was able to work with us to build a specific digital platform fit for our home-based services. The ultimate goal of technology in our sector should always be to improve the quality and safety of care, and care leaders should always evaluate how new digitalisation initiatives can help achieve this objective.

Prioritising user-friendly interfaces

The adoption of new technology will also be more straightforward if the interface is user-friendly. A digital platform should not add complexity to the already demanding role of carers, but should free up time to allow them to focus on the tasks which cannot be digitalised, such as spending quality time with those under their care.

To ensure that the new technology is used to its full potential, beyond initial training, we have encouraged our care managers to seek regular feedback from our live-in carers to learn more about how they are using the new technology and how it fits into their daily roles. As such, we have been able to refine its use and help our live-in carers use it to their advantage.

Empowering carers through technology-driven training

Beyond simplifying daily tasks, digitalisation offers an opportunity for carers to develop their skills and deliver the best possible care. By grouping all necessary information about those under our care in one place, Carebeans has helped our carers excel by ensuring they can quickly and easily learn all necessary details about those who they support and their care needs, as well as more efficiently communicate this with other carers.

When implementing new technology, care providers should thus see this as an opportunity to invest in the professional development of their carers, with technology-enabled training able to enhance both the theoretical understanding and practical application of caregiving principles.

Successful digitalisation in social care hinges on a strategic approach that prioritises relevance, usability, and integration. It is also essential to approach digital transformation as a continuous journey rather than a one-time initiative. By staying attuned to evolving needs and advancements, the social care sector can unlock new possibilities for improved care.