For a very long time, elderly people and their families have needed professional home care services. It has been stated that home care began more than a century ago with visiting nurses. But when exactly did the non-health care component of home care begin to develop and start to diversify?

When did home care start?

The early development of home health care or nursing care can be traced back to around the turn of the 20th century, and some say even to the late 19th century. Before that, family members were responsible for caring for a loved one who grew ill or became bedridden. Most of the time, our ancestors relied on non-medical methods of healing such as herbal remedies and very rarely and only as a last resort, sought medical attention or external care.

What led to the growth of home care?

Many of the historical and social developments that developed home care occurred gradually. Human life expectancy has increased as science and technology advanced and living standards rose dramatically. As a result of this, by 2040, nearly one in seven people is projected to be aged over 75 in the UK.

Since our lives are busier than ever and society has moved away from the nuclear family, many older individuals live alone because their family members lack the time or resources to care for them. Therefore, many families have turned to residential or homecare so they can ensure their loved ones are being well taken care of.

Home health care providers, such as hospices and home care companies, have therefore since developed into two primary categories: licenced home care agencies, which offer specialised nursing care, and non-certified home care organisations, which offer companionship and help with everyday tasks instead.

How digitalisation has changed home care

Since it’s conception, the homecare industry has used technology to improve efficiencies and the overall industry by bringing in new technologies like digital systems and even new inventions such as telephones and the use of computers to track work, which have all contributed to improving the constantly changing industry.

Although technology has improved in the healthcare industry, many workers are still wary of its changes. Many homecare professionals have been cautious to use digital technology at work for a variety of reasons, some of which include:

•    A lack of confidence in their technological ability
•    Resistance to implementing new working methods
•    Time-consuming training on top of a workload that is already demanding.

Improving digitally doesn't have to alter how your carers work. Instead, it should be simple and digitally formatted to reflect your present business procedures, making it easy for workers to adopt and requiring little further training.

Higher standards of care for peace of mind and maintaining human connections

It's not surprising that the demand for home care in the UK is increasing quickly; after all, we all want what's best for our older family members and no one can provide that care better than seasoned carers. Home care can be the answer for loved ones who need a companion or someone to help them with daily tasks as they become more difficult.

Robots have lately been suggested as a means to alleviate loneliness in the UK, as a development in the care industry. While studies have proven that these robots improve mental health, actual visits and conversations with real carers still remain the best way to feel a more human connection.

Health system technology leaders were surveyed in 2021 and the results showed that 92% of them wanted to boost customer happiness, while 56% wanted to improve the quality of care. As digital technology in the UK's care industry continues to evolve, finding the ideal balance between its benefits and face-to-face interaction is crucial to maintaining quality and continuity of care. 

Homecare is a forever changing industry and year-on-year exceeds expectations. New technologies such as digital care systems help improve and maintain the industry and give homecare businesses the chance the grow and develop. At Tagtronics, we can’t wait to see how the care industry continues to change and progress and to be a part of that journey by providing all-in-one solutions accessible to everyone.

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