28 July 2023
The landscape of Australia’s aged care has been rapidly evolving for years — with the focus on providing compassionate and efficient services for our elderly population. Amidst this evolution, digital communication technologies have emerged as a valuable asset in connecting caregivers, residents, and families.
Mobile Messaging for aged care
Among these, mobile messaging has stood out as a powerful tool with immense potential to revolutionise the healthcare and aged care industry. When utilised thoughtfully and responsibly, SMS can be a game-changer, offering numerous benefits for everyone involved.
Benefits of mobile messaging
Mobile messaging offers unmatched immediacy and reach. Although the perceived thought is that older Australians aren’t tech-savvy – the vast majority own mobile phones and often prefer communicating through text messages, finding them more convenient and accessible than other digital platforms. By leveraging SMS, aged care providers can efficiently disseminate important information to residents and their families, ensuring they stay informed about events, updates, and changes in the care facility. Whether it’s appointment reminders, activity schedules, or health alerts, SMS messages provide real-time delivery and ensure critical information reaches the intended recipients promptly.
This also works extremely well on the flipside. Esendex has been working with a range of HealthCare and aged care providers for a number of years to take out the extensive labour time and cost when it comes to things such as finding staff when someone calls in sick or even simple mental health check-ins on staff.
Loneliness and social isolation present a serious public health issue for older people, the ABS recently found, with compelling evidence about the physical and mental health impact of these phenomena. SMS communications strengthens the sense of community within aged care facilities. Regular personalised SMS messages, even a simple “good morning” or “thinking of you,” can brighten their day and foster a sense of belonging. Engaging with residents through thoughtful messages can alleviate feelings of social detachment and boost their overall well-being. This can also facilitate communication between residents, helping them form friendships and support networks that enhance their quality of life.
Another significant benefit of SMS communications in aged care is its cost-effectiveness. Traditional communication methods can be expensive, especially for care facilities operating on tight budgets. Funds saved on expenses can be redirected to improving facilities, enhancing training programs, or investing in activities that enrich residents’ lives.
However, off the back of recent headlines, prioritising privacy and data security of residents and facilities has never been more critical. Aged care providers should ensure they have consent from residents and their families before sending any SMS messages and data encryption and secure storage protocols must be implemented to safeguard personal information.
Simple tips like being aware that no one should ask for your bank account details or personal documents over text or phone calls and being sure to make anyone over the phone give adequate proof that they are who they say they are. Letting them know when in doubt, hang up/don’t reply and speak to a relative or care provider before proceeding.
SMS holds great potential for aged care but and aged care providers can use SMS as a tool to augment the quality of care and personal touch they provide, but not as a substitute.
Harnessing the power of mobile messaging for health & aged care industry
By harnessing the power of technology responsibly and with empathy, we can create a brighter future for our elderly population, where they receive the care and attention they truly deserve. As we embrace this digital evolution, let us remember that behind every text message lies the potential to positively impact lives and make a real difference in the world of aged care.
To learn more about how the broader Aged care and Healthcare industry can use mobile messaging, talk to an Esendex expert today or download our guide to dive deeper into the world of messaging.
