Many people are showing signs of concern that new technology being introduced to the care sector will begin to create a digital divide between artificial intelligence and human interaction that is so crucial to residents in a care setting.
However, exploring some of the new innovations in technology in the care sector and how they are put to use in a care home setting shows that the addition of artificial intelligence and robotics actually helps staff provide better quality care and spend more time with their charges.
Here are some of the newest pieces of technology being used in care homes and how they are enriching the lives of residents and taking some of the pressure off staff.
Humanoid robots
Humanoid robots aren’t placed in a care setting to replace the human interaction that many residents enjoy on a daily basis. Instead, they are used to entertain residents with their exceptionally perceptive software that recognises facial expressions, start conversations, and allow residents to Skype friends and family, watch videos or play games on their android screens.
They also have the ability to report back to the care team if a resident seems upset, so they can offer some one-on-one time and provide medication reminders, so staff can carry out these essential tasks themselves at the right time and reducing the risk of missed medication.
This helps take the pressure off care home staff while providing residents with a new, fun and engaging addition to their daily routine.
Lifting and hoisting technology
The first wave of lifting and hoisting robots is currently being trialled in Japan with great success. These robotic devices are operated by care staff, so the resident is never left alone while the device is in use and are incredibly useful for helping residents with mobility issues.
Using lifting devices safeguards staff members against the risk of back injury and means less time is lost by team members due to ill health and that there are more human resources to be shared amongst residents without having to carry out menial tasks such as lifting.
There are many more new developments in technology in the pipeline that are specifically aimed at helping support care home staff to provide better standards of care to their residents, so expect to see some of these new innovations coming to a care home near you in the near future.
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