Short Term Support: Embracing digital to empower independence

April 23, 2025

This article is part of our Digital Blueprint for Adult Social Care, a series exploring how technology and cultural change can come together to transform services. In this piece, we focus on short term support — how digital solutions can improve the quality and effectiveness of short-term support, driving better outcomes for people receiving it. 

The Challenge

Intermediate care services - spanning reablement, rehabilitation, and recovery - are pivotal to reducing delayed discharges, preventing unnecessary admissions, and helping people regain independence after illness or injury.

Yet, despite this importance, the evidence shows these services are not delivering their full potential:

• In 2020/21, 79% of people discharged from hospital into reablement services were still at home 91 days later - a decline from 82% in 2019/20, suggesting reduced effectiveness and capacity pressures (BGS, 2024).​

• Access to intermediate care is variable across regions, with large gaps in community-based rehab and therapy capacity (NHS England, 2023).​

• Many systems still treat reablement as a step-down service rather than part of a proactive, preventative model of care.​

The result is avoidable long-term support, missed opportunities for recovery, and a care system under growing strain. Digital tools - when aligned with human-centred design and clinical leadership - can help shift the dial.

Better Tools, Better Outcomes

Digital solutions offer a promising solution to these challenges. With many Technology Enabled Care (TEC) solutions available, we are seeing improved outcomes in short-term support outcomes. Digital solutions such as:

• Remote Monitoring Devices: These devices help professionals and family members track health metrics, activity levels, mobility, and home environment conditions, enhancing home safety with features like fall detection.

• Specialist Monitoring Tools: These tools provide in-depth analysis and tailored insights for specific needs, ensuring care packages are right-sized based on data.

• Rehabilitation Technology: Innovations like virtual reality (VR) and robotic aids assist with physical therapy and strength training. VR can simulate real-world activities in a controlled environment, helping people regain skills and confidence.

• Digital solutions don't have to be complex. Voice assistant devices like Alexa and Echo can help with daily tasks such as medication reminders and managing schedules significantly increasing a person’s independence at home.

As well as TEC solutions, reablement software and increase capacity within reablement services with end to end digital solutions releasing up to 15% additional capacity:

• Digital Rostering and Scheduling:  Software solutions are available for Local Authorities and NHS trusts to achieve exceptional efficiencies by optimizing resource utilization. By effectively managing care workers' schedules and ensuring the right resources are available at the right time, reablement teams can support more individuals without compromising the quality of care. Leeds City Council implemented a Digital rostering system across its reablement teams to optimise visit times and team deployment. This led to 20% increase in people supported per week, reducing wait time from 5 days to 1.5 days and better staff satisfaction due to reduced admin time.

Digital tools have demonstrated their ability to alleviate hospital pressures by streamlining the reablement process from referral onwards. They facilitate integrated care services, resulting in savings of both financial and human resources. These tools reduce bureaucratic burdens, enhance patient safety and privacy, and ensure regulatory compliance within social care.

The Impact

Integrating digital tools into short term support can significantly enhance the quality and effectiveness of care. By leveraging technology, services can offer more personalised and proactive support, leading to better health outcomes and greater independence for people.

We’ve seen the impact remote monitoring can have on enhanced personalisation to tailor care plans, proactive interventions by continuous monitoring an early detection of issues and improved health outcomes.

Remote monitoring providers such as Lilli have helped reduce hospital admissions in care settings by over 25% and West Northamptonshire reporting £820k saved annually through smarter care decisions using Canary Care.

Sensory based home monitoring equipment can provide routine and behaviour analysis by monitoring daily activities allowing teams to develop tailored plans based on these routines.

Voice Assistant tools like an Amazon Echo or Google Home can support with medication and daily routines by providing timeline reminders, as well as reducing isolation by being able to contact family or carers.

And lastly, falls detection technology has significantly enhanced safety and independence for people at home. Technology like Nobi Smart Lamp reported to have prevented 84% of falls, or acoustic monitoring technology like Ally Cares System reporting that they have eliminated 100 % of high risk night time falls.

Making It Work

To unlock the full potential, organisations will need to consider:

1. Brave Leadership - Leaders need to support and promote the use of digital tools, encourage teamwork, and provide the necessary resources.

2. Comprehensive Training - Staff should receive thorough training and ongoing support to confidently use digital tools.

3. User Engagement and Education - Educate and support people on how to use digital tools to improve their reablement outcomes.

4. Continuous Monitoring and Evaluation - Regularly check and adjust the use of digital tools based on feedback and data to ensure effective care.

These themes collectively contribute to the successful integration of digital tools in reablement services, enhancing the quality of care and promoting greater independence for peoples

The Opportunity Ahead

The future of adult social care is bright with the integration of digital. As technology continues to evolve, there are endless opportunities to enhance care delivery and improve outcomes. Innovations such as artificial intelligence, wearable devices, and digital software have the potential to revolutionise the way care is provided. By embracing these advancements, we can create a more efficient, effective, and compassionate care system that meets the needs of all individuals.