Deidre Wild, Sara Nelson and Ala Szczepura
A three‐year in‐depth study has examined three models to improvecare in residential homes for older people in England. The study showed that each aimed to provide a ‘home for…
Abstract
A three‐year in‐depth study has examined three models to improvecare in residential homes for older people in England. The study showed that each aimed to provide a ‘home for life’ for residents. Using multi‐source data gained from a range of qualitative and quantitative methods involving residential home managers, care staff and extensive review of documentation related to key care functions, inhibitors and enhancers to the achievement of this aim were identified. Inhibitors were lack of available top‐up funding to meet increased care needs, care staff's inadequate knowledge of behaviour‐disordered residents, workload, cross‐sector barriers and environmental problems. Among the enhancers were flexible regulation, up‐skilling of care staff, care staff's achievement in palliative care, perceived avoidance of hospital admission, and sound practice‐led relationships with nurses. The implications for practice are of relevance to policy makers, educators, community health and social care professionals, and older residents, their relatives and representative organisations.
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Deidre Wild, Ala Szczepura, Clive Bowman, Angela Kydd and Richard Wallis
– The purpose of this paper is to place the future development of technology within the existing reality of the diversity of care homes.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to place the future development of technology within the existing reality of the diversity of care homes.
Design/methodology/approach
Using the findings from a learning exercise, the paper illustrates “diversity” in terms of the meaning staff, relatives, and residents attach to the words “care home”. This tri-partite approach provides a basis for exploring types of technology that could, if appropriately introduced, prove to be of benefit to the different users and staff.
Findings
Technology is more likely to be “fit for purpose” when it has been developed jointly with those who work, live in, and who visit care homes. Costs and benefits will be issues to be taken into account.
Research limitations/implications
A lack of research evidence on the role of technology in care homes was a key limitation. In future, research should adopt a co-production approach to technology development.
Practical implications
The authors take a pragmatic stance that if due care is taken in preparations for and the introduction of technology, this would increase uptake of technology to meet different needs.
Social implications
The paper makes the points that: older people can learn new technological skills; the concept of care homes as user-led is in accord with increased opportunity to engage residents in new technology. Technology in care homes while posing challenges also could prove to be a major lucrative market.
Originality/value
By triangulating the perspectives of residents, relatives, and staff the authors hope to have presented a realistic and evidence-based overview of the potential for technology advancement in care homes.
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Gordon Bowen, Richard Bowen, Deidre Bowen, Atul Sethi and Yaneal Patel
Successful smart cities' implementation will require organisational leadership decision-making competences. The foundation of smart cities is digital technologies; many of these…
Abstract
Successful smart cities' implementation will require organisational leadership decision-making competences. The foundation of smart cities is digital technologies; many of these technologies are emerging technologies that require IT skills, which are scarce and will exacerbate the battle for talent between organisations. Filling the talent gap will necessitate global hiring, which has implications for organisational culture, cultural diversity and organisational leadership. Organisational cultural mix is an important contributor to leadership decision-making. However, decision-making is underpinned by trust. Blockchain is an emerging technology that has the potential to engender organisational trust in decision-making and, by extension, in the leadership with the ‘right’ organisational culture. Smart cities will be required to leverage emerging technologies to give business performance a competitive advantage and use emerging technologies’ applications to build a sustainable competitive advantage.