How digital technology is transforming homecare pathways
Homecare is moving from the traditional live-in and hourly care model towards a more modern one with 24/7 online support, digital tablet observations and sensors, instead of the carer’s physical presence. This week’s infographic looks at the different user pathways in homecare.
Demand for homecare is picking up, especially due to COVID, so the need to develop a supply chain for carers is growing. Recent deals in the sector, like that of Home Instead’s acquisition by tech homecare Honor, show that tech homecare companies – the second model – are here to solve labour shortages and take traditional homecare to the next era. Honor, Cera and Oui Help directly employ staff and use technology to maximise workflow efficiency.
The third model – carer booking platforms – is probably the least popular but the most personalised one as it matches families with the best possible carer according to their needs based on dynamic search engine tools and AI. Greece’s grandmama offers this model.
The fourth model is an alternative for the hours in a day when a carer or loved one cannot physically be there. It supports remotely the user using solutions from fall sensing to motion detection to wander alarms, and environmental alerts such as flood, temperature and gas. A key provider of homecare solutions in Ireland is Halocare.
Although tech companies tend to have very high margins, It is not clear yet which of the new pathways can attract the highest returns. HBI will keep an eye on the market to see which, if any, of the models takes the lead.
We would welcome your thoughts on this story. Email your views to Zinovia Fragkiadaki or call 0207 183 3779.
