If you are a frequent visitor to this blog (thanks, by the way!), you know that one of my favorite topics to write about is the senior care staff shortage. It’s something that has been on our radar here for years, and it’s something that we’ve been looking at answers to for that same amount of time.
When the COVID-19 pandemic began and senior care services began to find themselves in crisis, that care staff shortage became much more widely known to the general public. Something that was really only talked about by professionals and a handful of policy makers became a mainstream topic. There just weren’t enough people working in the world of senior care to account for all of the needs that came to light during the pandemic.
In one way, the pandemic did many people a favor by bringing a soon to be crisis to the forefront of the world’s attention a lot earlier than was expected. This should not diminish the tragedy of the pandemic and the lives that were lost as a result of it. But it would be irresponsible not to learn how we can do our job better because of it.
Many companies are turning toward technology to help reduce the negative impact that those they serve might experience because of a staff shortage. Things like voice interactive technology can help create more efficient workdays. Many of us already use things like Smart Home devices in our personal life–this concept translates it over into the workplace.
Some businesses are even using virtual reality to help with training situations. This allows staff to get their trainings in at home, but in a more realistic manner than video would allow. It creates more work/life flexibility, one of the other big things that came out of the pandemic.
Technology is helpful, but it doesn’t replace human contact. People are meant to be around other people. Even the most introverted of us needs interaction with others to truly thrive. For those seniors that live with family or close to those that they love, isolation isn’t usually a big issue. But a lot of seniors live alone and don’t have friends or family nearby that they can rely on. Technology can help to bridge this gap, but it isn’t quite the same. A digital face will never beat an in-person conversation with someone you love.
And the same goes for those that provide senior care. There are things that technology can do to make the job a little bit easier. But no one goes into this business because they like working with computers (although many of us do love the technological side of things). People who are passionate about senior care are here because they love working with people. Technology just allows it to be done more thoroughly and more precisely.
Regardless of where you are in your journey, whether you’re receiving care or assisting someone else, technology can help to make life a little bit easier. Knowing what’s out there is just the start, though. Determining what can actually be of use is the next step.
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