Home Instead health app partnership creates care sector first

Available exclusively to its franchise network and clients, the library contains a wide range of engaging apps covering mental stimulation through to nutrition and physical exercise

Home care franchise Home Instead has launched the social care sector’s first digital health library and tablet scheme through a partnership with the highly respected Organisation for the Review of Care and Health Apps (ORCHA).

Available exclusively to its franchise network and clients, the carefully curated library contains a wide range of engaging apps covering mental stimulation through to nutrition and physical exercise. The apps offer new ways for clients to improve their health; often also connecting with others, clinicians or family.

Speaking about the partnership, Ruth Brown, director of business development at Home Instead said: “Everything that we do as a brand is motivated by our mission to change the face of ageing. Technology will never replace person-to-person contact but we recognise that it can bring huge benefits to our clients’ lives, particularly in the hours our caregivers are not present.

“Our franchise office network is really excited about this latest initiative which demonstrates our commitment to helping our elderly clients to live well their way and helps franchisees to differentiate their service offering.”

Home Instead has been looking at this digital space for some time and realised that whilst there are thousands of apps, there is no regulation, making it hard for older people and their families to find solutions that are safe, effective, easy to use and a good match.

Which is why Home Instead has partnered with ORCHA. It has an impressive track record, conducting reviews for government organisations across Europe, the Middle East, and Australasia. In the UK, ORCHA conducts reviews for NHS Digital and NHS providers in 50 per cent of regions. NHS England is accelerating adoption across the NHS, placing ORCHA in its National Innovation Accelerator Programme.

Home Instead has also created tablets for clients, with a personalised selection of favourite apps already installed and ready to use. 

Home Instead has over 217 offices across the UK. There are territories currently available throughout the UK and a small number of resale opportunities.