The central aim of QCS PAL Instrument has always been to provide caregivers with a highly effective framework to help them assess the level of functional ability of those with cognitive impairments.

Many of you reading this will already be familiar with the instrument, which assesses those living with dementia at a planned, exploratory, sensory or reflex level. It supports caregivers not only to understand the individual level of ability, but to provide a package of care that meets the physical, mental, spiritual and emotional needs of each person with dementia, which conforms to regulatory standards.

Now, however, Quality Compliance Systems, (QCS) has used its considerable expertise in providing digital content, guidance and standards for the social care sector to use leading edge technology to greatly enhance the PAL Instrument and transform people’s lives.

How? Well, we have created a hightech reporting tool which provides unprecedented visibility. At the heart of the new technology is the PAL Cognitive Assessment, which also includes the PAL Guides. The new technology platform is accessed via QCS Dementia Centre, which also provides a wealth of other QCS PAL resources including the Life History Profile, PAL Engagement Measure and webinars to guide practice in using PAL.

At one level, the new technology supports caregivers to measure and evaluate each stage of a person’s dementia journey, so they can continue to live a good quality of life while remaining as independent as possible. However, on another level, it also helps managers – running a range of different sized services with varying complexities – to better manage their teams, their budgets and their recruitment strategies on both a day-to-day and long-term basis.

The Cognitive Assessment platform, which is recognised in academia, provides QCS customers with a scalable platform and a repository of cognitive assessment data. It allows managers to collect, log, filter and present data in a range of different formats.

The platform directs care staff and activity providers to lots of different ideas and suggested activities, based on the outcome of the initial assessment. It contains practical guides, suggestions, and a raft of ideas, all anchored to best practice, which enables caregivers to create powerful, person-centred activities for individuals at each of the four levels.

Furthermore, it allows QCS customers to conduct PAL Cognitive Assessments within QCS, with the results saved in the Service User record. A bespoke schedule for assessments can be set for each service user, which automatically takes into account their level of cognitive ability. However, managers can also disable this feature should they wish to.

The Cognitive Assessment platform is highly scalable and is also compatible with other systems. It can be utilised effectively by a number of different user groups. The platform allows professional carers (or anybody supporting a person living with dementia) to create individual service user records, which enable carers to track and log progress and to see the history of all assessments at any time. It gives managers the ability to compare PAL assessment results in real-time, to instantly see areas of improvement and areas in a person’s care, where more support needs to be provided. Where a need for a higher level of support has been identified, managers can download the appropriate editable PAL Activity Level Guide from the summary page.

The system, which fully complies with data protection laws, also lets managers download a summary document, which can then be shared with relatives or regulators. This provides service users a wider circle of support with a unique window into their care and cognitive function, allowing them a level of visibility, insight and engagement that would previously not have been possible.

I believe that this is a game changer, and it demonstrates the invaluable role that technology plays in supporting and evidencing excellence in dementia care. Find out more about the QCS Dementia Centre at: qcs.co.uk/caringtimes_dementia. You can also download the PAL Instrument for free at qcs.co.uk/caringtimes-pal