Lone working, particularly during night shifts in care homes, presents a unique set of challenges. A combination of fewer staff available, time pressures and management not around to assist with advice or permission on what to do in difficult situations can make the job feel stressful and demanding.
Ally Cares recognises these challenges and our Resident Monitor system is transforming the lone working experience, enhancing outcomes for both staff and residents.
Fewer incidents and surprises – reduced stress
One of the key advantages of Ally’s technology is the significant reduction in incidents and surprises. By employing advanced AI to monitor residents’ activities and behaviours, early signs of potential issues such as agitation or distress can be detected and intervened. This proactive approach means it’s less likely that a lone worker will have to deal with an incident, thereby helping to reduce their stress levels and create a safer environment for both staff and residents.
“The impact of picking up things on Ally is really good. We have picked up a Covid case where it was showing someone that was coughing throughout the night, which led to us to test them for Covid. Somebody was coughing, we called the GP out because they were negative for Covid and that led them to having a course of antibiotics, so that was really good.”
The gift of time to care – less stress and more enjoyable interactions
A key challenge for staff is in the event of an incident – one patient can dominate their time making it difficult to be with other residents who may also require care. Ally’s system allows care workers to focus on delivering personalised care rather than just checking on residents regularly. By reducing the number of checks, staff can spend more quality time with residents, leading to more meaningful and enjoyable interactions. This improves the residents’ quality of life and helps make the job more rewarding for care professionals.
“The system has released staff time during the night, allowing carers to allocate more time to personalised care and engagement with residents within the home.”
Improved evidence on incidents – less stress and blame
Dealing with incidents without immediate evidence to explain what happened is one of the most stressful aspects of lone working. Ally’s system continuously monitors and records relevant data, providing clear evidence in case of any incidents. This transparency helps protect staff from unjust blame and facilitates a fair and accurate assessment of situations, reducing stress and promoting trust.
“I have actually used it in an investigation where I requested some recordings and it helped immensely. We had a much broader picture of what happened on that night. So it was much easier”
Improved context on care needs – better care interactions
Ally provides comprehensive insights into residents’ behaviour and health trends that were previously unobserved. This detailed knowledge empowers care workers, making them a more integral part of the care team. With a deeper understanding of residents’ needs staff can deliver more effective and personalised care, fostering a sense of empowerment and confidence. Having a context around the care being provided enhances the quality and also makes interactions much more rewarding for both residents and staff.
So with a clearer understanding of each resident’s care needs, lone workers can tailor their interactions. Knowing the specific needs and preferences of residents leads to more positive and enjoyable care experiences. For example, if a resident has slept poorly because they’ve been coughing, they might be more gentle with them or on their routine. Or if the resident has experienced pain in the night then they can be more attentive to look out for further symptoms.
“When we see what’s going on in the night, we can then re-look at the care plan for the night-time and we can write that as person-centred as we can because Ally will allow us to see what is going on in the night, what is normal for somebody, and then what is something that’s occurring that we have to look at.”
So, for stakeholders, benefits include:
- Staff are less stressed as there are fewer unexpected incidents and better support
- Staff feel more supported as the continuous monitoring and data collection ensure that staff have the evidence in the event of an incident
- Staff feel more empowered because they have comprehensive knowledge about residents so they provide better care
- Staff are happier and more engaged because interactions are more meaningful and having a supportive environment contributes to higher job satisfaction.
In the case of managers, benefits include:
- More effective support and mediation can be provided if there is an incident
- Clear evidence from Ally’s monitoring system helps managers address issues fairly as incident reports provide more accurate and detailed information
- Improves team morale through enhanced support to help reduce stress levels and foster a more positive work environment.
Benefits for families
Families of residents often worry about the well-being of their loved ones, especially when they are under the care of lone workers. Resident monitoring technology provides a clear and transparent picture of the residents’ health, well-being, and activities. This transparency is crucial if a resident falls or becomes ill, as it provides more information about the circumstances, helping families understand and feel assured about the care being provided.
“Having something like that in his room, is brilliant. Absolutely brilliant. For Colin personally because he was having such horrendous nights and nightmares. The staff would be able to go and comfort him but if they were busy somewhere, they wouldn’t hear him, perhaps shouting out for them. Since he’s been here, obviously I’m feeling better in myself and I’m very, very happy with him here. I feel he’s being really looked after.”
In summary, there’s no denying that working alone can lead to feelings of isolation and increased stress. For lone workers in care homes, knowing there’s a reliable system like Ally’s Resident Monitor supporting their work can significantly boost their confidence and morale whilst also providing reassurance by creating a safer, less stressful, and more rewarding environment for care professionals. Together, we can transform the care experience and ensure that both residents and caregivers thrive.