Future waves of COVID-19:

“As the UK prepares for potential future waves of the virus, The Health Foundation warns that social care must be given equal priority to the NHS, including a great focus on domiciliary care.” (The Health Foundation).

Everyone is feeling the affects of the COVID-19 pandemic. With potential new waves on the horizon, we need to be proactive and ensure that we are prepared. “Policy action on social care has focused primarily on care homes and this has risked leaving out other vulnerable groups and users” (The Health Foundation). With governmental focus elsewhere, care providers and innovative care companies need to be working together to find ways to ensure these vulnerable users are not forgotten about.

Remote, digital care is at the forefront of discussions. In particular, how we can provide safe, remote care to ensure the safety of care workers and their clients. “Most local authorities report people declining care because of understandable concerns about admitting care workers into their homes” (The King’s Fund) – making digital care more important than ever.

 

How can ETHEL help?

ETHEL can be used as a care surrogate, reducing the in-person contact without jeopardising the level of care provided. Video calling can enable care appointments to be virtual and with tools such as medication management and daily check-ins can reduce the amount of appointments necessary. Let ETHEL help increase your productivity.

Kevin Cross, an occupational therapist (Kevin Cross Case Management), has used ETHEL to work with a brain injury client. George was reluctant to receive help from support workers originally, so Kevin wanted to work with George in the least restrictive way possible to help George maintain his independence. ETHEL enabled Kevin and George to keep contact throughout COVID-19.

“Ethel proved invaluable during the lockdown period of COVID-19 pandemic as we were not able to visit George in person. We increased our social contact via Ethel to help him overcome the difficult period of isolation.” – Kevin Cross

Read the full Kevin Cross case study (click here)