How Healthcare Providers Can Use Digital Solutions to Transform In-Home Senior Care

Source

Technology has become an integral part of the healthcare industry after the pandemic. The home care industry is no exception. In fact, it needs to go the extra mile with innovation to fulfill the needs of the rapidly aging population in the US.

According to the 2020 census, 55 million Americans are over 65. Digging deep into the state-specific numbers, California, Florida, and Texas are home to one-fourth of these older Americans. Another quarter lives in North Carolina, New York, Georgia, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. 

A 2022 survey suggests that 70% of aging Americans prefer in-home care rather than moving to a nursing home or an assisted living community. Not surprisingly, the US home healthcare market was valued at $142.9 billion in 2022. Despite the demand, the competition is stiff, and providers need to give their best to stand out.

Adopting technology can help you set your in-home senior care business apart. In this article, we will highlight some digital solutions healthcare providers can leverage to elevate the levels of elderly care.

Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM)

Healthcare providers are increasingly using remote patient monitoring technologies in the US. Consider the example of North Carolina, a state with 1 out of 5 residents over 65. Moreover, the older population here is expected to double in the next two decades. In-home care is a popular senior-care option here because nursing homes and assisted living facilities have limited resources.

In-home caregivers in Chapel Hill & Durham can collaborate with healthcare specialists in big cities like Raleigh and Charlotte to provide remote care for patients. These providers can track patient vitals with devices such as wearable sensors. Real-time data enables them to intervene promptly in case of deviations and medical emergencies.

According to Always Best Care Senior Services, these special care services empower in-home care providers to provide top-notch care, regardless of patient location. Patients can get ongoing care and monitoring from top doctors at the best hospitals in the country from the comfort of their homes. 

Telehealth Services

Like remote patient monitoring, telehealth services make a valuable addition to the portfolio of in-home care providers. These services eliminate the barriers of geographical locations and enhance healthcare access for seniors who cannot travel. 

Virtual consultations help with routine check-ups and monitoring of chronic age-related conditions. Caregivers can discuss their concerns with specialists and seek recommendations for treatment and care guidelines. Telehealth services foster a positive patient-provider relationship with seamless communication.

Medication Management Systems

Medication management is perhaps one of the most challenging aspects of in-home caregiving. Research shows that providers often struggle to ensure adherence because seniors tend to miss out on regimens due to mobility challenges, cognitive decline, and reluctance. Even professional caregivers may face challenges in this context.

Digital medication management systems can be saviors for in-home providers. They can give reminders for administration and refills and help with tracking compliance. By ensuring medication adherence, caregivers can reduce complications, minimize hospital admissions, and improve the overall quality of life for seniors.

Smart Home Technologies

According to CDC statistics, nearly 36 million falls are reported among the elderly in the US each year. About 3 million of these seniors get treatment in emergency departments for fall-related injuries. The risk persists even for older adults aging in place under the expert care of in-home providers. 

Caregivers can incorporate smart home technologies into their practice to enhance the safety and independence of clients. For example, smart devices and sensors can detect falls and monitor movement patterns. Providers can even use the data to modify the home environment based on the senior’s needs and preferences. This technology promotes a sense of autonomy and facilitates the identification of potential risks before they escalate. 

Health Information Exchange (HIE)

Senior care requires a multifaceted approach involving multiple healthcare providers to address the different needs of aging individuals. In-home care service providers may struggle to communicate diverse requirements with specialists if they have a huge patient base.

Let us take the instance of an agency working in Maryland, a rapidly graying state, where the aging population is expected to grow by 27% over the next two decades. Even providers offering in-home care services in Rockville, a relatively laid-back location, expect an influx in the next few years. Preparedness is the key to maintaining the quality of services despite the challenges.

A Health Information Exchange (HIE) platform is an ideal solution as it enables secure and interoperable data exchange. It can keep all members of the care team on the same page with access to relevant information. This promotes collaborative care and enhances the efficiency of in-home senior care.

As the demand for in-home senior care increases, providers must embrace digital solutions to address the unique challenges of the elderly. With the right technologies in place, they can elevate the quality of care and build a patient-centric model of senior care for the future.