ADASS Care Apps Showcase

The landscape of care and support is changing rapidly, however the digital changes that we have seen while accessing care and support have not been as radical or as timely as other sectors. Care and support apps in many ways seem a bit underdeveloped and somewhat behind their mainstream and commercial counterparts.

There are some who would argue that apps have no place in the care and support of people that access service, however Martin and I disagree and see the value in such developments. We believe that people have a right to access apps to support choice around managing their support needs, in order to live independently in a way that offers more freedom and choices, while never forgetting the need for real people to be providing care and support.

Therefore, we were delighted to be part of the ADASS care apps selection process which was truly co-produced. We, as people whom access services, were looking for a number of things when it came to selecting the apps:

  • Would they support people to have choice and control?
  • What benefits did they have for the end-user?
  • Were they co-produced?
  • Would they support people and maintain their dignity and respected around their care needs?

On the day there was a definitely a lack of co-produced apps, however we are mindful this is why we were all involved is this work and why ADASS and TLAP feel this is very important.

There was one co-produced session of the day though, myhomeleper.

What is myhomehelper?

myhomehelper is the innovative new memory aid developed from the personal experience of assisting a family member living with dementia.

It is a 9.7 inch on-line digital display, specifically designed to support people living with memory impairment and learning difficulties in their own homes. myhomehelper helps to reduce anxiety and isolation and gives peace of mind, reassurance and confidence to family and carers. http://www.myhomehelper.co.uk/home/home.aspx

Martin Yates form the National Co-production advisory group and TLAP Board co-chair outlines the key principals of what is needed when developing apps for care and support.

"When you as an individual are involved as an equal partner in designing the support and services you receive. Co-production recognises that people who use social care services (and their families) have knowledge and experience that can be used to help make services better"

  • Co-conceptualisation
  • Co- applicancy
  • Co-production
  • Co-design
  • Co-delivery

By embedding this process in the development of apps will you ensure that apps met needs for people that access service while ensure that they keep true to the "the six c's".

1. Care

Care is our core business of our organisation and the care we deliver helps the individual person and improves the health of the whole community. Caring defines us and our work. People receiving care expect it to be right for them consistently throughout every stage of their life.

2. Compassion

Compassion is how care is given through relationships based on empathy, respect and dignity. It can also be described as intelligent kindness and is central to how people perceive their care.

3. Competence

Competence means all those in caring roles must have the ability to understand an individual's health and social needs. It is also about having the expertise, clinical and technical knowledge to deliver effective care and treatments based on research and evidence.

4. Communication

Communication is central to successful caring relationships and to effective team working. Listening is as important as what we say and do. It is essential for "no decision about me without me". Communication is the key to a good workplace with benefits for those in our care and staff alike.

5. Courage

Courage enables us to do the right thing for the people we care for, to speak up when we have concerns. It means we have the personal strength and vision to innovate and to embrace new ways of working.

6. Commitment

A commitment to our patients and populations is a cornerstone of what we do. We need to build on our commitment to improve the care and experience of our patients.

We need to take action to make this vision and strategy a reality for all and meet the health and social care challenges ahead.

If you embed co-production in the process, you will have apps that met the needs of people that access service.

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