I have had the opportunity of working with amazing care providers many times as a care consultant. I have also had the opportunity to see how much my work is needed, especially how advocating for the care sector is so necessary!
The care industry is taking hit after hit, and we need to protect the people at the centre of it. Carers and clients.
Proactive care is about improving health outcomes and client experience. It is about preventing health deterioration where possible and maintaining as much independent living as possible.
This can be done by reducing avoidable instances of poor health so that people will not be in need of crisis and unplanned care.
For some people, ‘proactive care’ is not for them.
They may need live-in or only temporary care for their specific needs. But sometimes proactive care may be a better fit.
This is about making the care system intervene early, so that big health conditions don’t become a crisis. Taking stress from the care providers, carers, family members and those who need care themselves.
Examples of proactive care are:
– Fall prevention strategies.
– Regular and frequent health visits and assessments.
– Co-produced care plans (which I will talk about again).
– Remote monitoring digital alerts.
Proactive care allows customers of care to have increased independence with their mental and physical health intervention being prioritised. This creates dignity with care. It is a long-term attitude which protects the quality of life for all people who engage with the care system.
It’s about health care professionals who engage with people spotting possible risks early and engaging with the person at the centre who might need a little extra support, education, or gadgets at home to make their lives easier.
This is also a beneficial approach for carers. It reduces staff burn out rates as work becomes less stressful as carers are dealing with long-term care strategies. It is also less costly.
It is a preventative approach to care!
So why would you not adopt this? Why would you not put your autonomy above all else?
You can find more information on proactive care on the NHS England website here: https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/proactive-care-providing-care-and-support-for-people-living-at-home-with-moderate-or-severe-frailty/
‘Proactive care’ isn’t something that carers or care providers either ‘have’ or don’t have; it’s something they can adopt and will implement into their care provision.
In reading about this type of care and the benefits it provides, it is the consumer’s decision as to how important they find proactive care to be for them or their family member.
If you are a care provider and want to implement this approach into your offer, get in touch with me to find out how.
If you are a carer/client/or family member of a client and need to find pro-active care, get in touch.
Let’s be proactive in our support for proactive care.
