7 Trends That Are Being Adapted in Care Homes in 2022 - part 1/2

The past two years have seen monumental changes for care homes, shaping new caregiving trends on the rise for 2022. The COVID-19 pandemic drove many facilities to take whole new approaches to their operations and practices due to lack of staff and monumental health and safety concerns. Despite the struggles created by the pandemic, the shifts occurring in many nursing homes are leading to some positive changes.

Greater Adoption of Technology

Tech has widely been accepted as crucial to meeting the challenges care homes are currently facing. That’s why the greatest caregiving trend for 2022 will be a widespread increase in the adoption of technology. There are a few that are especially helpful.

1. Monitoring Software and Devices

Monitoring devices for seniors have been around for well over a decade, most well-known in the form of emergency alert necklaces. They have become much more comfortable and capable, however.

Today, a smartwatch can allow a senior to monitor their vitals in detail, call for help in emergencies and help them stay fit. Internet of Things (IoT) and Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) devices are becoming more common, with smart cameras and sensors connected to AI monitoring software for fall detection and other events.

2. UV-C Cleaning Robots

Health and safety are at the forefront of health care facilities’ priorities in the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic. A monumental shift toward cleanliness will continue to be one of the top caregiving trends in 2022.

One technological sanitizing solution that is gaining momentum is autonomous UV-C cleaning robots.

These machines use large UV lights to neutralize harmful bacteria and diseases on surfaces and have been a popular solution for slowing the spread of COVID-19. Care homes will benefit greatly from these robots due to the shortage of nurses and staff the industry has been coping with.

Health and safety are at the forefront of health care facilities’ priorities in the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic. A monumental shift toward cleanliness will continue to be one of the top caregiving trends in 2022.

One technological sanitizing solution that is gaining momentum is autonomous UV-C cleaning robots. These machines use large UV lights to neutralize harmful bacteria and diseases on surfaces and have been a popular solution for slowing the spread of COVID-19. Care homes will benefit greatly from these robots due to the shortage of nurses and staff the industry has been coping with.

3. Health Care and Socialization Robots

A unique new trend that could become more widespread in 2022 is health care and socialization robots. While it might sound far-fetched, engineers have created advanced AI robotics specifically designed to help socialize with and care for seniors. In early tests, the robots proved highly popular among nursing home residents. One such robot, Stevie, can even express emotions, dance and play games with seniors, all while staying aware of emergencies, such as a resident saying “help me.”

Robots like this will shape the caregiving world in the years to come, reducing strain on nurses while providing more comprehensive care for seniors.

Shannon Flynn - Managing Editor at ReHack

With over 4 years of writing and editing experience, Shannon focusses on covering topics like medical, health, and lifestyle technology.