Carers Rights Day: technology could bear the weight of staff’s emotional load

As a nation we are living longer and are more informed to make healthier and better choices. However, having the right information is only the beginning. As our ageing population continues to grow, it is becoming more challenging for social care providers to meet demand and deliver collaborative care.  

In 2021 research released by Care Quality Commission (CQC) highlighted that social care staff turnover rates had dramatically increased across England. In April 2021, turnover rates hit 26.5%, but by February 2022 they had climbed to 38.2%. These statistics suggest that as pressures continue to hike up within care more staff are choosing to leave on an account of saving their own mental health or for more pay – according to the 2021 census there are currently 2.5 million unpaid care workers in employment in England and Wales. 

Against this backdrop, recent government announcements have made it clear that support for the social care sector will likely remain non-existent. On 22nd November 2023 Chancellor Jeremy Hunt unveiled his Autumn statement, which shamefully failed to provide any funding to help the health and social care sector. In addition, the Kings Speech, which was delivered on 7th November, also unsuccessfully drew upon issues within social care. 

With this in mind, digital solutions may be the only available option to help relieve stresses that have been continuously pilled upon the sector since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic.  Technologies can offer the chance for carers to streamline caseloads, drive collaborative working practices and maintain their own health and wellbeing.

As today, the 23rd November, marks Carers Rights Day, Dawn Watson, Clinical Lead at Tunstall Healthcare, offers her thoughts  on how technology can support carers and reduce their emotional load. 

How technology can support social care workers

Technology can greatly support carers and help relieve the pressures that professional carers experience. It also enables them to care for someone for longer at home, so that they can stay in familiar surroundings for as long as possible, helping them to enjoy a better quality of life and a less strenuous care plan is required. 

Digital devices such as community alarm systems, also known as telecare or assistive technology, helps to manage common risks such as fires or falls, giving reassurance to carers that they will be alerted if an event occurs. 

Appropriate, unobtrusive sensors can be placed around a home, which, if triggered, send an alert via a central home unit to a specialist monitoring centre, where trained operators can alert a carer, keyholder or the emergency services. 

Systems are tailored to individual circumstances. For example, a sensor placed under the seat pad of a chair can alert a carer if their loved one leaves their seat. This means the carer can conduct tasks, such as making dinner or putting the washing out, knowing they will be notified if the person they care for may be at risk.

How technology can support home carers 

Technology can ease the pressure both physically and mentally on home carers, and can play a key role in services being delivered in innovative ways, placing citizens and their families at the heart of decision making, and enabling health, housing and care providers to target support where it’s needed most.

Telecare can also be deployed to provide wireless sensors placed around the home, which immediately detect risks such as fires and floods. As soon as a risk is detected by one of the sensors, an alert is sent to a telecare monitoring centre via a central Lifeline home unit using the phone line or mobile network. Experienced operators can then ensure an appropriate response, such as notifying the carer or a neighbour, or calling the emergency services if needed. 

Technology like this offers individuals 24/7 person-centred care, and gives carers the reassurance they need to be able to take some well-deserved ‘me time’, attend to household chores or run a quick errand without feeling anxious or guilty. For example, systems can be introduced that will wake the carer if the person they care for leaves their bed during the night, and may be at risk of falling or leaving the home alone. Such technology means carers can relax or sleep knowing they will be woken if their loved one needs them.  

Images: Tunstall Healthcare and geralt

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