Thanks to the rapid innovations in technology-enabled care, care providers and care receivers now have access to advanced and modern solutions— we now have devices and systems that serve multiple functions and address several problems simultaneously. This has been unheard of, especially with devices that are still based on analogue platforms.
While analogue systems might be fine with the old and outdated standards, transitioning to smart solutions today is the most beneficial and logical decision, especially with the total digital switch set to take place in the United Kingdom by 2025. This transition will render all analogue platforms defunct.
A brief look at the care industry landscape at present
According to a report by Berg Insight, from 2019 to this day, 70% of European telecare services still rely on analogue systems and wired solutions. The report also found that the United Kingdom has the highest number of telecare users. And this is something that can be seen as an opportunity by solutions providers.
The care industry is also projected to grow very quickly—this could also mean that patients and care receivers will naturally look for the best possible solutions available to them, and care providers who fail to adapt to these rapidly changing conditions risk falling behind their competitors.
The Nordic countries have also completely adopted and implemented smart and digital solutions. And other European countries can choose to follow the same route while transitioning from analogue platforms, especially with the availability of platform providers today that can cater to the specific needs of solutions providers.
Skyresponse has conducted a deeper and more in-depth look at smart care today, detailing the transition from analogue systems to smart care solutions.
Read more: Implementing and Embracing Smart Solutions to Improve Elderly Care Homes throughout Europe
Practical examples of smart solutions today in elderly care
To have a better idea of just how far the care industry has come in terms of innovative solutions, here are just a few of the smart solutions available today:
- Smart cameras that address privacy and surveillance concerns – these are cameras that can simulate doctor visits and can be configured to face only the corners of the room or the ceiling during periods outside scheduled surveillance and monitoring. Since these smart cameras can conduct nightly “visits,” patients and care receivers do not need to be woken up or interrupted anymore. Furthermore, these devices can also work with radars to detect and prevent falls.
- Fall detection and prevention radars – these accurate sensors can reliably detect sudden and unusual movement and immediately alert response centers in an emergency.
- Medication robots – these smart medication robots can help patients properly adhere to the exact schedule of their medication intake and can be configured to different and specific medication regimens.
- Diapers with smart sensors – these are diapers that feature sensors that can reliably and accurately monitor the diapers’ saturation level. Both care providers and patients can benefit from this innovation, as accurate monitoring of saturation levels can prevent unnecessary inspections and bed sheet changes. Moreover, changing diapers at the right time can also prevent ulcers.
Getting started with smart care
As mentioned earlier, the availability of capable platform providers today can make transitioning from analogue platforms to smart solutions smooth and seamless. These platforms must be open and scalable, with no lock-ins of specific hardware, and should make use of open APIs.
Open-APIs are application programming interfaces publicly available to software developers, granting them access to proprietary software applications. In a nutshell, these allow third-party software developers to use your technology (or platform) and integrate it into theirs, possibly allowing the technologies to work in synergy.
These platforms must also be cloud-based, future-proof, and open for data sharing. The platform must also be scalable and flexible, able to meet the specific needs of the providers and the end users. Lastly, the platform must also allow easy and convenient testing of new use cases.
Make the transition to smart care solutions today with Skyresponse
Given the opportunities presented by smart solutions today, implementing these systems and transitioning away from analogue platforms can greatly benefit care providers and solution providers, especially with the care industry rapidly growing in the coming years. While the applications and implementation of smart care devices and systems may seem complicated at first, partnering with Skyresponse can make the transition seamless.
Skyresponse offers a 100% cloud-based, future-proof, and scalable platform built with interoperability in mind. The future-proof nature of Skyresponse’s platform allows solutions providers to expand their system freely and easily, allowing them to meet the needs of both the providers and the users.
Listen to Skyresponse CEO, Martin Reidevall, talk about how we can learn from the digitalisation in the Nordic countries, and how you can leapfrog from Analogue to Smart Care here.
