Long term care is important in the UK as it provides support to the ageing population and those with disabilities. It enables individuals to maintain their independence and quality of life while receiving the necessary care and support they need.

Long term care can include bathing, dressing, feeding, toileting, and mobility. Long term care also provides assistance with medication management, wound care, and other medical needs.

Challenges in Long Term Care in UK

Shortage of Staff

One of the biggest challenges facing the long term care industry in the UK is the shortage of staff. This has resulted in a significant shortage of staff, particularly in nursing homes and care homes, due to Brexit and the pandemic. The shortage of staff is not only affecting the quality of care that is provided, but it is also leading to increased stress and burnout for those who are still working in the sector.

Quality of Care

Another significant challenge facing the long term care industry in the UK is the quality of care that is provided. There have been numerous reports of abuse and neglect in care homes, and the sector has been criticised for not providing adequate training and support for staff. Even after the sustained efforts of the Care Quality Commission, more needs to be done to ensure that vulnerable individuals are receiving the best possible care.

Growing Demand for Long Term Care for Elderly

The UK's ageing population has resulted in a growing demand for long term care services. As more individuals reach retirement age, the number of people requiring care is set to increase significantly. This will place even more pressure on an already stretched sector and will make it even more challenging for vulnerable individuals to access the care that they need.

Read more on Cost of Long Term Care in the UK to plan, arrange and access long term care.

Making Long term care for Elderly Sustainable

Long-term care is an essential service that many people in the UK require as they age or face chronic health conditions. While the demand for long-term care services continues to rise, the UK faces many challenges in delivering high-quality care to its citizens. However, there are certain ways to make long term care sustainable and improve the overall care outcomes.

Promoting self-management

One of the significant challenges in long-term care is the dependency of patients on caregivers. This often leads to a lack of independence and self-reliance, leading to a decrease in quality of life. Promoting self-management can help alleviate this issue. Self-management involves educating patients on how to manage their condition or health, providing them with tools and resources, and empowering them to make decisions regarding their health. By doing so, patients can become more independent, leading to a better quality of life and a reduction in the burden on caregivers.

Transition to Proactive Care

Care in the UK, in general, takes a reactive approach. Caregivers often only become involved once the condition has deteriorated, resulting in a higher likelihood of hospitalisation and a decrease in quality of life. Proactive care involves monitoring health and care actively, intervening early on any health concerns, and taking steps to address them. This approach can lead to improved health outcomes, reduced hospitalisations, and better overall quality of life. 

Using Technology to Augment Care

Technology can play a game changing role in improving long-term care services in the UK. It can help caregivers monitor patients remotely, manage their care plans more efficiently, and coordinate care among different providers. 

PCL Connect and Long term Care for Elderly

In this regard, PCL Connect is a connected care platform that enables remote monitoring of patients, allowing caregivers to track vital signs, medication adherence, and facilitates seamless communication between family, elderly adults who need care, and other care providers. It improves care coordination and makes it easy to provide care. 

Remote health monitoring with PCL wellness watch

PCL Connect clubbed with the PCL wellness watch can monitor health vitals and provide caregivers with real-time health data. The device can track blood pressure, heart rate, temperature and oxygen saturation levels. The PCL wellness watch ensures that patients receive timely care and enables caregivers to track their patients' progress and adjust their care plans accordingly.

Reduce Social isolation and loneliness

Many elderly and disabled individuals suffer from social isolation and loneliness. PCL Connect offers a solution to this problem through voice calling and a digital photo album. Seniors can connect with their loved ones through voice calls and share photos with them using the digital photo album. These features help to improve the mental and emotional well-being of patients, reducing the risk of depression and anxiety.

Proactive care

The PCL caregiver app allows family members to monitor their loved ones' care from a distance. The app provides real-time updates on their health vitals, medication reminders and appointment schedules. Family members can also communicate with the care provider and receive updates on their loved one's health status. The PCL caregiver app helps to improve oversight, ensuring that patients receive the best possible care.

Make Caring Efficient

The medication reminder feature ensures that individuals receive their medication on time, reducing the risk of missed doses. Since all the caregivers get relevant information and can communicate with each other based on that whenever needed, this ensures better care coordination. Ultimately it helps to streamline the caregiving process, and make it more efficient.

Conclusion

Long-term care is an essential service that faces many challenges in the UK. However, by promoting self-management, adopting a proactive approach to care, and leveraging technology, we can improve and augment these services, leading to better health outcomes and an improved quality of life for those who require long-term care.

Find out more about PCL Connect for your elderly loved ones.