The healthcare industry is evolving rapidly due to innovations and technology.
One sector of the healthcare industry that has had the most noticeable impact in terms of innovation is at-home healthcare. This includes a range of medical and non-medical services provided at home. These services are especially for people who want help with in home or those who may have difficulty going to healthcare centers. For instance, nursing services, physical therapy, light housekeeping, etc. are all examples of at-home care.
This sector is being revolutionized by advanced technologies, hence causing a massive surge in the demand for at-home care.
As per a recent study, the estimated market value of home healthcare is approximately over $100 billion. And with the current rate, the number is expected to cross $180 billion by 2035.
But even after knowing all these facts, you may wonder how technology is shaping the future of at-home care, given that this segment is not so popular compared to other medical sectors. In this guide, we will walk you through the significant impact that technological advancements have had on home healthcare and what the future holds for this rapidly expanding industry.
Technology is transforming home care, making it more accessible, efficient, and patient-friendly. To learn more about innovations are reshaping the home care industry, we have listed down some of the latest trends in home care technology.
Healthcare chatbots provide much-needed assistance in times of urgency. Healthcare chatbots have been phenomenal in at-home care by providing immediate, on-demand assistance to patients. As per a study, healthcare chatbots can handle around 80% of initial routine tasks of at-home care. For example, streamlining initial inquiries and the diagnosis process. This has allowed home healthcare providers to focus on tasks that require more complex medical attention, hence improving overall care efficiency. Healthcare chatbots can act as digital assistants for caregivers too. By leveraging healthcare chatbots, caregivers can make sure that patients are following their care routines and treatment plans. Also, healthcare chatbots are designed to be available 24/7, providing support to patients every second of the day.
Internet and healthcare cybersecurity solutions also have a significant role in the future of home care with respect to technology. This is because internet is the first source of information for people who have questions or queries about their health. So, when people turn to the internet, they get clear and concise information regarding their or their family member’s health condition. Along with this they find the best solutions for the specified health issue, and are hence able to provide relevant care at home. Such medical information can be found in blogs, featured snippets, FAQs etc. on the relevant topic.
Healthcare cybersecurity solutions, on the other hand, allow for securing sensitive healthcare data of patients. This helps in keeping those people safe who are bound to look for home care solutions for all their health issues.
Telemedicine is one of the most significant technological advancements in home healthcare. This method of treatment gained popularity during COVID-19, because people were in quarantine.
It is a highly convenient option, for patients who prefer or need at-home care. Telemedicine has eliminated the need for in-person visits to clinics by allowing patients to consult healthcare providers online. For instance, you can video call, voice call, or even chat message your healthcare provider for information or consultation. Also, it allows for remote monitoring and virtual check-ups. Healthcare providers can keep monitoring the vitals of their patients while far away. This is really helpful for people having close relatives as their care providers. Telemedicine is a current trend in home care solutions like personal care services or companionship, speech therapy, occupational therapy etc. It is going to be ground breaking for the future of healthcare.
Healthcare tracking has helped save many lives by instantly diagnosing health conditions and providing emergency alerts. Healthcare tracking has become advanced with wearable devices. These devices show health metrics and give a buzz in case of emergency. They can monitor vital signs like blood pressure, blood sugar levels, heart rate, oxygen levels, and certain activity patterns like steps walked.
These wearable devices include smartwatches, fitness trackers, and medical grade wearables and many more. These devices have made home care more convenient, for instance, the Apple watch has a feature of monitoring heart rate, ECG, and fall detection, and it can also help you count the total calories in-take and the steps you took in the day. This healthcare technology will revolutionize the future of home care.
Future of home care would be a sight to witness due to robotics. There have been significant advancements in this sector already. Robotic technology for in-home care allows great ease for patients with issues in mobility and those suffering from chronic conditions. Now people have actual robots that help them with movement, robotic assistants/machines that help in daily tasks, even light housekeeping. Their impact is huge in cases where patients are recovering from surgeries or injuries like physical therapy. Hence, the future of home care looks promising.
The future of home care is smart. This is because smart home technology has allowed people’s homes to be integrated with advanced technological systems. This has resulted in a more efficient and supportive home care solutions.
For example, certain smart tech devices like smart thermostats, lights, security systems, and many other appliances can be controlled remotely, which improves convenience and safety for patients. Also, smart medication dispensers make sure that the patients are taking the right dose of medicines, improving the overall medicinal efficiency. With smart integration, home care will rise much further.
Home care technology has allowed for several benefits for patients. For instance, people or patients who are unable to move due to injuries, surgeries, or chronic conditions can now enjoy the convenience of home healthcare solutions through video consultations. They would not need to visit the hospitals, and can avoid hospital stress by staying at home and receiving personalized care and treatment.
Moreover, home care technology has allowed for early detection of emergency situations in patients. With advanced tech in home care, patient vitality can be monitored regularly and emergency alerts can be sent when needed.
Furthermore, home care tech helps healthcare providers increase their number of patients because of online consultations. This becomes easier if healthcare professionals collaborate with a healthcare digital marketing agency.
Technology improves the accessibility to healthcare by allowing for remote doctor visits and consultations, access to reputable resources, and qualified healthcare specialists.
Technology helps elderly patients through remote monitoring of vitals allowing healthcare providers to offer care while the patient is at home.
The demand for in-home healthcare services is rapidly growing. This is because of the increased life expectancy rate, aging population, increasing preference for treatment with convenience etc.
So, now you know how healthcare technology is going to revolutionize home care in the future. The latest trends listed above are the future of healthcare technology. These technological advances in home care have increased efficiency and have also provided huge convenience for patients in managing their health. The future of home care will significantly reduce the traditional patient care as home care will become increasingly personalized, more accessible, convenient, and effective.
A healthcare marketing agency can help you get more patients easily. For instance, MediVerticals, a trusted home care marketing agency, leverages technology and various healthcare marketing strategies to provide effective patient acquisition services to home care professionals. So, if you are looking for healthcare technology solutions, collaborate with them right now.