What Does the Future of Home Care Look Like?
Why Home Care Is Evolving Rapidly
According to the NHS, “There is a rising demand for health services due to an ageing population with increasingly complex healthcare needs.” Because people are living longer, there are more individuals requiring healthcare support for longer periods than at any time in the past. The conditions people are living with are changing too, with numbers living “with long-term conditions” set to increase, and “more individuals managing multiple conditions.”
Ageing Population & Rising Demand
Living longer can be a wonderful thing, but if you’re struggling with debilitating healthcare conditions, it can make life difficult. Continuing to live in one’s own home is a great choice for ongoing healthcare support.
Strain on Traditional Healthcare Systems
The increased demand for healthcare provision means that traditional care options are not always readily available. People are realising that other options are open to them, such as care at home.
Trends Shaping the Future of Home Care
The home care sector is seeing significant growth,” says homecare.co.uk, “driven by a mix of demographic changes, technological advancements, and evolving societal attitudes.” Families are often opting to keep loved ones out of care homes where possible, knowing that continuing to live in comfortable and familiar surroundings will boost the person’s physical and emotional wellbeing.
Telehealth, AI and Remote Monitoring
Devices and apps are often utilised to manage a person’s care at home. This includes GPS monitoring, memory aids, digital reminders, and fall detection systems. Appointments and treatment can also be supported by home carers.
Predictive Care Models
As healthcare becomes better at predicting patterns in conditions and diseases, it will be more effective at forecasting future care needs. The rise of AI being used to analyse complex information may well speed up diagnoses and treatment plans, too.
The Impact of Innovation on Patient Outcomes
Ultimately, any care being delivered needs to be person-centred and focussed on the needs of the individual. If this is kept at the centre of health and care provision, then it cannot fail to produce patient outcomes that are best for every service user. Earlier diagnoses, more effective treatments, and faster recovery times will ensure that people live well for longer.
Improved Access to Care Through Digital Approaches
Ensuring that remote support remains inclusive isn’t easy. However, having a carer in your home who can support you with your appointments and treatment can mean you can access technologies that you otherwise wouldn’t be able to.
Boosting Independence and Quality of Life at Home
The main benefit that Helping Hands customers enjoy is increased independence in the home they love. Having quality care delivered in their own home improves wellbeing because they remain in control of their own care experience at all times.
How Families Can Prepare for the Future of Home Care
The Joseph Rowntree Foundation analysed how care is changing and discovered that in the future there will be “an increase in the need for paid care services” but that people will also require an increase in informal care. This is because “not all people who need care receive paid care.”
Families will need to have conversations with ageing relatives about how they see their potential care and whether they would like to remain in their home or not. Many people accept moving into residential care because they aren’t aware they can be cared for at home, or they’re concerned that all of the responsibility and subsequent cost will fall on loved ones’ shoulders. By explaining to them that they can have care at home tailored to their individual needs, delivered by carers who are knowledgeable and supportive, many people decide that remaining in the place they love is what works best for them.
Exploring Home Care with Helping Hands
Because Helping Hands have been delivering the highest quality home care since 1989, you can be confident we’re the company with your best interests at heart. We offer tailored visiting and live-in care that is designed entirely around you; we don’t believe in ‘one-size-fits-all’ care. We’re the UK’s most trusted home care company, as evidenced by our Trustpilot reviews and the feedback we receive from our thousands of customers and their families.
Chatting with our friendly customer care team will ensure that all your questions are answered, both for you and your loved ones. We understand that there is a lot to consider when thinking about home care, and we’ll help you make sense of all the decisions you need to make regarding the care that’s best for you. We’ll thoroughly assess your needs and ensure you always have a transparent breakdown of what you can expect to pay.