A new partnership with Wirral Council is aimed at reducing urinary tract infections (UTIs), falls, and constipation among residents, creating a safer and more comfortable life for them.
Using Aquarate’s Hydracare system is set to create cost benefits for Wirral through productivity savings, a decrease in antibiotics being prescribed, and a reduction in hospital admissions. Fall admissions alone in Wirral cost £9 million each year, with 7 in 10 of these admissions aged 65+.
Michael Hanrahan, telecare and telehealth manager for Wirral Council, said: “As commissioners of services for our most vulnerable people, Hydracare offers the opportunity to confirm that they are properly hydrated, resulting in better health for them, while reducing the workload on hard-working care home staff.
“Avoidable falls and UTIs amongst older people remain a concern in Wirral. Correct hydration levels are fundamental to a person’s health and wellbeing, with clear and repeated evidence describing how falls and UTIs can be minimised by tackling dehydration.
“Increasingly, CQC requires evidence that good care is being provided. Hydracare provides the evidence that hydration levels are monitored, and appropriate action taken if someone needs additional fluids or requires a restriction on fluid intake. Operationally, care home managers can be confident that care is being delivered, while relatives are reassured that their loved one is in receipt of the best care.”
Aquarate CEO Rebecca Taylor said: “It is fantastic to see the region coming together to tackle some of the serious issues seen within care. We aim to support Wirral's digital transformation by providing a tool to track the very fundamentals of care. We look forward to sharing the results of our work in the coming months!”
