At first thought you may not think that IT is an integral part of running any care home, but the speed in which technology is advancing, makes it increasingly hard to be ignored...

Focusing on helping residents staying connected with the local community and the outside world including family and friends,  I hope to explain how simple changes can be made to help you recognise that now is the time to take the necessary steps and enhance your Care Home’s Mission Statement through technology. 

As I mentioned, technology today is moving at an extremely fast pace, most people find a level that they’re comfortable with and stick to their own safety zone. However, this is continually changing as more technology becomes available and easier to grasp, the more we feel comfortable with, thus taking it for granted.

By just allowing easy access to a PC and the internet this could be the biggest step you take in terms of expanding resident’s quality of life and their range of communication, plus involvement in the local community.

This kind of advancement would open up a new world to them, just with the use of emails they can communicate with whomever they wish, including long lost friends and even new friends and relatives on the internet.

Website such as www.friendsreunited.co.uk is a good place for people to find long lost friends just by typing in the date the individual was born or the school that they attended.

Another useful website is www.specialfriendsonline.co.uk  the world’s first ever international social networking site designed for people with learning difficulties and disabilities.

Evercom Care can also offer friendly advice on the most appropriate way to store photos or use websites to share images.  Again this is a very useful tool for residents to feel in touch with relatives and friends.

Another product to consider when thinking about buying PC’s is the use of Touch screen monitors. They are exceptionally user friendly for people who are hard of seeing. There is no need for a keyboard or mouse and a resident can simple touch the screen on which ever application they wish. This can also work with other special software specifically designed for your residents with learning difficulties.

As well as wanting the best care for your own residents, we recognise that care home owners do not want to be left at a commercial disadvantage. For example, in ten years time you have potential residents, and they’re given a choice between a care home with internet access and a host of other IT tools, (bearing in mind that IT is becoming simpler and more accessible) and the other choice is a care home which has not implemented such technology. This will enable a family and the potential residents themselves to make an easier decision and would put the former option in a far stronger position.

Various other products currently available include SKYPE technology. This allows residents to call family members or friends for free without the worry of running up phone bills. SKYPE is a telephone service that allows free calls over the internet. Members of staff can also take advantage of this facility by calling and staying in touch with other care homes within their group in order to save costs. For Care Homes and Institutes, you can find out about IT and technology funding at www.scie.org.uk/workforce/getconnected.

Most companies and organisations already thrive on technology and it would be a great disadvantage to see a vital service provided but not adapting with changing advancements in this area. It should not be forgotten that even the people in their 50s are at an age where IT is almost second nature and as these very people approach their 70s or 80s, this type of technology will not be an unfamiliar concept.

To summarise, I’m trying to clarify that as the new generation of elderly emerge, you’ll see that they’ll have a much higher expectation and a more natural grasp of technology.  This you will need to keep an eye on if you’re going to stay ahead of the game.

For free, impartial advice, you can contact Evercom Care where we pride ourselves in having special interest in assisting care homes. We can provide advice on all aspects of IT equipment such as new PC’s, laptops, servers, and all types of networking solutions.

Evercom Care
0203 3014537
www.evercomcare.co.uk