Preventive care is the future of health and social care and a crucial part of equitable care. This means care does not differ in quality regardless of someone’s age, gender, geographical location, cultural background, ethnicity, religion or socioeconomic status. By facilitating activities like data collection and remote monitoring, technology can enable this, improving health outcomes for all.
The benefits of preventive care are plentiful. It helps people avoid illness and injury, manage chronic conditions more effectively and stay healthy and independent for longer. This is incredibly impactful in social care, where people often have complex health and care needs that require ongoing support. By embracing preventive care, we can reduce the need for more expensive and intensive care interventions, improve quality of life and promote independence and well-being.
One of the key ways technology enables preventive care is through data collection. Collecting data on people’s health and care needs means we can identify potential health risks and intervene early to prevent problems from developing or worsening. For example, by monitoring blood pressure, blood sugar levels, or medication adherence, care providers can identify potential issues before they become serious and take action to address them. Greater data collection also unlocks the potential for machine learning and artificial intelligence to pick up trends early and take steps to prevent negatives outcomes such as hospital visits, saving the NHS untold millions.
This is where digital care management comes in. By enabling care providers to track and monitor people’s health and care goals over time they can identify any changes or trends that may indicate a need for intervention. For example, if someone’s blood pressure is consistently high, or their mobility is declining, this could indicate a need for further assessment or support.
By tracking the outcomes of care that people receive and enabling them to set goals, care providers can intervene sooner if things go wrong and provide person-centred care that meets people’s needs.
Remote monitoring is another important way that technology can enable preventive care. By using remote monitoring tools such as wearable devices, care providers can keep track of people’s health and care needs even when staff are not physically present. This can be particularly beneficial for people with chronic conditions such as diabetes or heart disease, who may require ongoing monitoring and support.
Remote monitoring can also support people with mental health needs. By using digital tools such as apps or online platforms, care providers can deliver psychological interventions remotely, providing people with the support they need to manage their mental health and well-being.
In addition to enabling preventive care, technology can also improve access to social care services. Digital tools such as online assessments, video consultations, or telehealth services, help care providers reach people who may not otherwise be able to access care. This is particularly important for people who live in rural or remote areas or have mobility issues that make it difficult to attend in-person appointments.
Technology can also help to reduce the administrative burden on care providers, freeing up more time for direct care. By using care management platforms for scheduling, record-keeping, or medication management, care providers can streamline their workflows and focus more on delivering person-centred care that meets people’s needs.
Overall, technology has the potential to transform social care by enabling preventive care, improving access to services, and reducing the administrative burden on care providers. By using digital tools to collect data, monitor health and care needs remotely, and deliver care interventions, care providers can ensure that people receive the right care, at the right time and in the right place.
Log my Care’s platform for care management is just one example of how technology can enable preventive care in social care. By providing care providers with the tools they need to track and monitor people’s health and care goals over time, Log my Care is helping to promote early intervention, person-centred care and improved health outcomes. As social care providers continue to embrace technology, the potential to transform social care and improve outcomes for all is immense.
