Home Instead franchise uses technology to enhance care

Through the use of smart sensors, the new tech service will help the elderly to stay in their homes for longer

With a commitment to stay at the forefront of developments in the homecare sector, Home Instead Senior Care has launched Home Aware—a new technology service that helps older people stay in their homes for longer.

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The tech uses a range of smart sensors in the home to build a picture of the activities of an older person, such as their sleep patterns and the frequency of bathroom visits.

The sensors will then be able to alert care teams if an older person has been less active than usual, or even whether a kettle has been turned on and off repeatedly - a common sign of dementia.

This information helps franchisees to adjust the care they provide so that it matches their clients’ individual needs more closely. By understanding meaningful changes and patterns in the home, franchisees can plan and deliver a more personalised care service.

The new tech was implemented with the intention to complement the services the franchise provides rather than replacing Home Instead’s personal approach. However, it is especially useful to enhance the care given, particularly in the hours when caregivers are not with their clients.

To ensure new initiatives are effective, Home Instead first pilots them with eager and willing offices. Home Aware was trialled throughout 2018 within a number of Home Instead franchises. The franchisees involved in the trial and their caregivers found that the insights helped them design better care plans.

For example, sensors alerted the care team during an incident when a client stayed in bed for longer than usual, prompting the team to contact the client prior to their next scheduled visit. It turned out that the client was, indeed, unwell and an additional visit was arranged that day along with a visit to the GP. For the client, this early intervention meant they received treatment swiftly.

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