Author: David Caldwell

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Isaac Care Supporting Efficient Hospital Discharge

5 tips on finding the right homecare provider
Isaac Care Supporting Efficient Hospital Discharge

Isaac Care Supporting Efficient Hospital Discharge

Delayed discharge refers to the situation where a medical patient is deemed well enough for discharge but they are unable to leave hospital because arrangements for continuing care have not been finalised. There are many reasons for delayed discharge, the most frequent one, impacting over 1,000 patients in 2022, was inadequate supports available to care for them in their homes.

Delayed discharge can occur for a number of different reasons such as:

  • Challenges caused by the Covid-19 pandemic impacting on the number of transfers of care.
  • Shortage of carers available to provide home support to patients.
  • Patients with complex needs needing the right resources.
  •  Lack of community-based respite support in nursing homes or rehabilitative centres.

There can be many negative effects while discharge is delayed in hospitals, such as:

• Risk and increase in contracting infections.
• Overcrowding.
• An increase in hospital and health system costs from use of high cost hospital beds for care.
• It contributes to patient and family stress.

How Isaac Care Supports Efficient Hospital Discharge

At Isaac Care we believe that people recover better in the comfort of their own home. Our aim is to provide support to our clients to enable them to retain their independence. 

Isaac Care offers wraparound support enabling clients to recover at home post hospital treatment.

This is done through our unique combination of assistive technology along with our network of specially trained care staff, available nationwide. 

The Advantages of Wireless Fall Alarms for the Elderly

When discharged into our care, we step in with a personalised care plan and closely monitor our clients’ health metrics post discharge in order to reduce the chance of readmission to hospital.  Our care partners design a reablement package to support them in getting back to full health. 

Our Partnership with Myhomecare

Isaac Care have partnered with MyHomecare to provide high quality personalised care to each of our clients. Our partnership with MyHomecare means we have highly trained and compliant nursing and support staff available from immediate effect.

Myhomecare are the first homecare company in Ireland to receive an internationally recognised JCI Accreditation in Quality and Patient Safety. They are now part of a prestigious group of healthcare services that hold this achievement which include – Mater Private, Bon Secours, Mount Carmel and Merlin Park.  

The partnership between Myhomecare and Isaac Care means we can provide a complete care solution. Our remote patient monitoring team keep a close eye on our clients’ vital signs within the first three days following discharge. These days are critical for ensuring your loved one stays well. We then step in with a reablement package from MyHomecare to support your loved one in getting back to full health.

This reablement package ensures efficient discharge from stepdown units, an area where an intermediate level of care is provided. When a client is discharged, a care plan is put in place which ensures they receive high quality homecare along with comprehensive remote patient monitoring. This allows us to ensure the risk of readmission is minimal. 

Did You Know?

• There were over 207,000 lost bed days in HSE hospitals last year, due to delayed discharges.

• Over 7,100 patients were medically fit to leave but remained in hospital due to a lack of step-down care.

A rapid community response nurse led team, supported by clinical nurse managers, client care managers and bookings coordinators, allow care to be carried out in the right place, the home. This is done within 24 hours after the client’s hospital assessment has taken place. It enables a speedy discharge from hospital to home, allowing for much needed increased hospital bed capacity. 

We can give clinicians access to clients’ health data, which enables data-driven decision making and helps improve patient outcomes. In turn, this reduces the risk of clients being re-admitted to hospital. At Isaac Care, we ensure the right care is delivered in the right place and at the right time.

Get in Touch

Our dedicated team are on hand to assist you in any way. Contact us on (042) 936 8391 or fill in your details in the contact form and one of our team will be in touch.

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Senior Safety: How A Fall Alarm Can Help

Senior Safety: How A Fall Alarm Can Provide Peace of Mind for Loved Ones

As we age, the risk of falling increases. Falls can lead to serious injuries or hospitalisation. For seniors, the fear of falling can be debilitating and can greatly impact their quality of life. For caregivers and loved ones, the fear of a fall can cause constant worry and stress. A fall alarm can provide peace of mind for both seniors and their caregivers by monitoring and protecting them against falls.

Falls are the leading cause of injury-related death among seniors, and the risk of falling increases with age. Factors such as poor vision, decreased muscle strength, and certain medical conditions can all contribute to the risk of falling. In addition to physical injuries, falls can also lead to a loss of independence and the need for long-term care.

An fall alarm is a device that can detect falls and alert caregivers or emergency services.

Benefits Of Owning A Fall Alarm

One of the main benefits of an elderly fall alarm is the peace of mind it can provide for caregivers and loved ones. Knowing that a fall can alleviate the constant worry and stress that comes with caring for a loved one. It also allows seniors to continue to live independently in their own homes with confidence

An elderly fall alarm can also provide peace of mind for seniors by giving them the confidence to continue with their daily activities. Many seniors may become hesitant to leave their homes or participate in activities they enjoy out of fear of falling. With the added security of an alarm, seniors can continue to live their lives without the constant fear of falling.

In addition to providing peace of mind, an elderly fall alarm can also save lives. Prompt response to a fall can greatly reduce the risk of serious injury or death. Some alarms can even detect other emergency situations, such as a senior becoming unresponsive, and alert caregivers or emergency services.

What To Consider When Choosing A Fall Alarm

When choosing a fall alarm, it is important to consider the specific needs and preferences of the senior. When choosing an elderly fall alarm, it is important to consider the specific needs and preferences of the senior. Investing in an elderly fall alarm can help seniors to live independently and safely in their own homes

Other considerations could include:

  • Does the person often go outside of the home? If so a landline based alarm with 100m radius won’t suit, they need a mobile alarm. Isaac Care uses a sim card – it works like a mobile phone meaning it can be used inside and outside the house.
  • Who does the person want to be on the other end of the line when an alert is raised? Does the provider offer them flexibility to choose if they want a loved one or a call centre, or mix the benefits of both i.e. try a family member first, then try call centre
  • Does the person have a landline? A mobile fall alarm doesn’t require landline which is a reduced household cost (a lot of older people keep their landlines when they get mobiles because their fall alarms are connected)
  • Discretion: would the person rather a discreet fall alarm over a red button on their wrist
  • Flexible payment options: Isaac Care offers three payment options to suit the persons needs

In conclusion, an elderly fall alarm can provide peace of mind for both seniors and their caregivers by monitoring and protecting against falls. These alarms can save lives, reduce the risk of serious injury and give seniors the confidence to continue with their daily activities. Caregivers and loved ones can be alerted immediately in case of emergency, which can help them to respond quickly.

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Our dedicated team are on hand to assist you in any way. Contact us on (042) 936 8391 or fill in your details in the contact form and one of our team will be in touch.

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Healthcare Wearable Devices

Health Wearables: From Patient Monitoring to Early Intervention

A healthcare wearable device is a technology-enabled device worn on the body that is designed to monitor, track, and/or provide information about an individual’s health and fitness. Healthcare wearable device Isaac Care can also connect to a smartphone or other device to allow the user to track and analyze their health data, sharing this information with the users primary carer.

Healthcare wearable devices are becoming increasingly popular as a means of monitoring and improving personal health. These devices are designed to be worn on the body and can measure a wide range of factors, such as heart rate, blood pressure, activity level, sleep quality, and more.

 

Benefits of Wearable Devices for Healthcare

healthcare worker using wearable devices

Wearable devices have the potential to improve healthcare in a number of ways. Some of the benefits include:

  • Continuous monitoring: Wearable devices allow for continuous monitoring of vital signs such as heart rate, sleep patterns, and physical activity. This can provide doctors and patients with valuable insights into a person’s health, giving a clear and accurate picture of someone’s’ health overtime.
  • Early detection of declining: By monitoring vital signs and other indicators, wearable devices can help detect early signs of disease and allow for prompt treatment. Trends of declining health can be spotted early, allowing for rapid interventions allowing  the right care to be delivered at the right time
  • Remote monitoring: Remote patient monitoring allows patients in rural areas to access the same high quality healthcare services as those living in urban areas. With the remote monitoring services the need to travel into clinic is significantly reduced as the patients can get the care they need from the comfort of home.
  • Increased patient engagement: Wearable devices can motivate patients to take an active role in their own health by tracking their progress and providing feedback. Devices such as Isaac Care can bring in empowerment and quality of life as they are healthy and well at home.
  • Cost-effectiveness: When supported by clinical remote monitoring and rapid interventions can help reduce healthcare costs by allowing for earlier and more efficient treatment of diseases. Shifting to a proactive, preventative model of care rather than the traditional reactive model currently in place in most healthcare settings.

Overall, Wearable devices can be useful for remote monitoring and tracking of health statuses, more frequent data collection and less invasively, which is more convenient for patients and can improve health outcomes by enabling more personalized and preventative care.

Isaac Care

Isaac Care is a complete independent living solution, combining compassionate care and cutting-edge technology. Some of Isaac Care’s unique features include:

  1. The Isaac Care App has been designed to support families in caring for their loved ones. It allows for easy communication and brings together information from our assistive devices into one platform, allowing the relevant circles of care to be kept up to date.
  2. We provide a bespoke kit of health monitoring devices which allow our clients to easily keep track of their health and form a graph of their readings over time.
  3. Our next generation fall alarm allows the service user to easily call for help, whether at home or out and about. They have reassurance that our team are there to monitor calls 24/7 and that their family are notified of any fall alert through the Isaac Care app.
  4. Isaac Care offer discreet motion sensors can be placed throughout the home, and provide the family with real time updates on movement within the home. AI technology learns the normal patterns of activity in the home, and can provide insights on changes in these patterns over time.

“It’s a safety thing for my mam, she’s more confident knowing the Isaac technology is there and she’s not afraid. Even though her friends and family are around her every day, it’s for the times when nobody is around that she needs the added support.”

– Primary Carer

Get in Touch

Our dedicated team are on hand to assist you in any way. Contact us on (042) 936 8391 or fill in your details in the contact form and one of our team will be in touch.

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7 Ways To Help Prevent Falls

7 Tips To Help Prevent Falls

Falls are a major cause of injury among seniors and can easily be prevented with the right precautions. One way to help protect loved ones from falls is by making sure they have access to assistive devices such as grab bars, raised toilet seats, walkers and wheelchairs or through the use of assistant technology. Here are 6 tips to help protect your loved ones from fall risks:

1. Assistive Technology

Isaac Care is an assistive technology device created to help you with daily tasks that have grown difficult. Isaac is there to support you to stay safe and independent in your own home for as long as possible. 

The Isaac Fall Alarm has an accelerometer that can automatically detect the sudden impact of a fall. In this case a call will be initiated to the designated emergency contacts and the same process as above will be followed. When any fall/SOS event happens, each of the nominated contacts are instantly notified through the Isaac Care app

2. Seek Assistance

If your elderly loved one is worried about falling, ask them. Even though they may be aware that falling is a concern, many older adults nonetheless hold onto the notion that they won’t fall or get wounded. Encourage them to speak with their health care practitioner if they have any concerns about falling, light-headedness, or balance so that they can be evaluated for risk and given programs or services that may be of assistance.

3. Discuss Current Health Condition

Find out if your elderly loved one is having any difficulties taking care of their own health. Are they having problems remembering to take their medication? Are the activities they used to do effortlessly becoming more difficult for them to complete? Encourage them to discuss all of their worries with their healthcare physician in an open and honest manner. 

Isaac Care vitals monitoring feature closely monitors the persons health. This data can be used to help assess a patient’s overall health and well-being and can also be helpful in detecting early signs of illness or disease. 

4. Get Their Vision Checked

Make sure your elderly loved one has a current prescription and is using their glasses according to the eye doctor’s instructions if they wear glasses. It’s necessary to exercise caution when using bifocals on stairs. Consult a professional for advice on how to maximize your vision if you already have low vision or attend your local optician for an up to date eye test.

5. Physical Therapy

Notice if they’re holding onto walls, furniture, or someone else when walking or if they appear to have difficulty walking or arising from a chair. 

These are all signs that it might be time to see a physical therapist. A trained physical therapist can help your older loved one improve their balance, strength, and gait through exercise. They might also suggest a cane or walker—and provide guidance on how to use these aids. Make sure to follow their advice. Poorly fit aids can increase the risk of falls. 

6. Safety Assessment Of Their Home

There are many simple and inexpensive ways to make a home safer. For professional assistance, consult an Occupational Therapist. Here are some examples: 

Lighting: Brighten up the entire home, especially the stairwells’ top and bottom landings. When getting up in the middle of the night, ensure that lighting is readily available. 

Stairs: Ensure that every set of stairs has two secure rails. 

Bathrooms: Add grab bars to the shower/tub and the area around the toilet. Ensure that they are placed where your elderly loved one may utilize them. Consider building a walk-in bathtub or employing a shower chair and hand-held shower for even greater safety. 

 

7. Talk About Their Medication

If your older loved one is having a hard time keeping track of medicines or is experiencing side effects, encourage them to discuss their concerns with their doctor and pharmacist. Suggest that they have their medications reviewed each time they get a new prescription.

Also, beware of non-prescription medications that contain sleep aids—including painkillers. These can lead to balance issues and dizziness. If your older loved one is having sleeping problems, encourage them to talk to their doctor or pharmacist about safer alternatives.

Get in Touch

Our dedicated team are on hand to assist you in any way. Contact us on (042) 936 8391 or fill in your details in the contact form and one of our team will be in touch.

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Isaac Care – Supporting People Living with Dementia

Isaac Care – Supporting People Living with Dementia

With over 20 years’ experience in the care industry, Isaac Care understand the challenges of supporting people living with dementia to live independently. In this blog we will outline how Isaac Care and other resources can support and care for those living with dementia.

There are approximately to be 64,000 people diagnosed with dementia in Ireland and 850,000 over in the UK. It is estimated there will be 150,000 people in Ireland, diagnosed with dementia by 2045. Dementia is an overall term that describes a wide range of symptoms associated with a decline in memory or other thinking skills severe enough to reduce a person’s ability to perform everyday activities. Alzheimer’s disease accounts for 60 to 80 percent of cases. Vascular dementia, which occurs after a stroke, is the second most common dementia type.

Support for People Living with Dementia

  • Alzheimer Society of Ireland – The Alzheimer Society of Ireland works across the country in the heart of local communities providing dementia specific services and supports and advocating for the rights and needs of all people living with dementia and their carers.
  • Dementia UK – call for free on 0800 888 6678 for support from our dementia specialist Admiral Nurses. The Helpline is open from 9am to 9pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 5pm on Saturday to Sunday.
  • Homecare Supports– Myhomecare and Care 24/7 take the time to understand the person, learn their life story and meet their family so that we can understand how best to meet their specific needs and most importantly improve their quality of life.
  • Memory Technology Resource Rooms – These rooms are for people who would like to know more about products and devices which can help manage memory difficulties. To find one near you click here.

How Isaac can Support for those caring for someone living with dementia

Isaac Care is committed to supporting those living with dementia and their families. We offer a range of support to help people living with dementia, including:

  • The Isaac circle of care app – sharing the care responsibility. The Isaac family caring app has been designed to support families in caring for their loved ones. It allows for easy communication and brings together information from our assistive devices into one platform, allowing the relevant circles of care to be kept up to date.
  • The Isaac Fall alarm – Our next generation fall alarm allows the service user to easily call for help, whether at home or out and about. They have reassurance that our team are there to monitor calls 24/7 and that their family are notified of any fall alert through the Isaac app.
  • Easily set up GPS Zones and receive notifications when the device enters/leaves these zones e.g. home, shop, supermarket.
  • The Isaac Health kit – weight decline is a concern for people living with dementia, our remote monitoring service is proactive and keeps an eye on the persons’ health over time allowing for early interventions on the first sign of declining health.
  • The Isaac Ambient Sensors – These discreet sensors are placed throughout the home and detect patterns of activity, alerting if there is any concerning change in pattern including doors opening in the middle of the night or changes in daily patterns of behaviour.

“Provides peace of mind for me because I know where he is and if he has a fall, it alerts me straight away. I can check on the GPS and find him immediately”

– Marion Mooney, Primary Carer

Activities For People With Dementia

There is no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to finding activities for people with dementia. However, some general tips may be useful in finding activities that are both enjoyable and beneficial for someone with dementia.

Some things to keep in mind when choosing activities include:

  • The person’s interests and abilities. What did they enjoy doing before they developed dementia? What are they still able to do?

  • The level of support needed. Some activities may require more assistance than others.
  • The environment. Is the activity taking place in a safe and familiar setting?

Having dementia doesn’t mean you can no longer do the things you once enjoyed. There are a range of activities that will help improve the overall wellbeing of someone with Dementia

Exercise. Even moderate exercise can improve mood, sleep, and overall health.

Social: Staying social is so important for everyone’s mental well-being. Stay in touch with friends or join a social group such as walking or look out for dementia friendly classes to help you stay active.

Reminiscence work: Share past life experiences or stories using videos, photos or through music. Being unable to recall memories, or people can be a stressful event for individuals. Reminiscence therapy helps to elicit positive memories without the pressure and confusion of continuous direct questioning.

It’s important to experiment with different activities to find what works best for the person with dementia. What is pleasurable for one person may not be enjoyable for another. It may take some trial and error to find the right activity, but it’s worth the effort to help improve the quality of life for someone with dementia.

Managing Dementia

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to managing dementia, as each person experiences the condition differently. Treatment focuses on slowing the progression of the disease and managing symptoms.

After diagnoses there is ways, you can help manage dementia and to maintain independence for as long as possible. Ways you can manage it are lifestyle interventions, such as exercise, diet and social engagement, can help people with dementia live better lives.

Another way to help manage dementia is to provide emotional support. This can include being a good listener, providing encouragement, and offering reassurance. It is also important to be patient and to understand that the person with dementia may not be able to communicate as well as they used to.

Finally, you can help by providing practical assistance. Isaac Care can assist in this way through the use of the Reminder feature, to remind the person to take medication, about upcoming events or appointments. Isaac Cares Two Way Call feature is also beneficial so that the person can receive help from a loved one or medical professional if needed.

By providing support in these ways, you can help the person with dementia to maintain their independence and quality of life.

Get in Touch

Our dedicated team are on hand to assist you in any way. Contact us on (042) 936 8391 or fill in your details in the contact form and one of our team will be in touch.

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