Most care homes have already made the transition to digital care planning. But how often do providers stop to assess whether their system is still working for them?
In the rush to go digital, many care homes signed up for systems that promised to streamline operations, improve care quality, and make life easier for staff. But as time passes, some find that their chosen system isn’t quite delivering on those promises.
Perhaps it's too complex for day-to-day use. Maybe it has features that rarely get touched, yet still contribute to a hefty subscription fee. Or it could be that staff are struggling with a rigid structure that doesn't adapt to the way they actually work.
If this sounds familiar, it may be worth stepping back and asking whether your current system is still the best fit for your home.
Are You Paying for Features You Don’t Use?
One of the most common complaints from care providers is that their digital system feels bloated with features they never use. While an all-in-one solution might seem appealing at first, reality often reveals that many of those extra tools go untouched—leaving care homes paying for functionality they don’t actually need.
A quick review of your system might reveal:
✅ Features that were meant to be useful but never became part of the daily workflow.
✅ Add-ons that sounded great in a sales pitch but aren’t being utilised.
✅ A subscription model that forces you into a higher price bracket just to access basic tools.
If your care home is paying for a system that isn’t fully aligned with its needs, it might be worth considering whether a more streamlined, flexible solution would be a better investment.
Does Your System Adapt to Your Needs, or Do You Have to Adapt to It?
Every care home operates differently. Yet, some digital care planning platforms take a one-size-fits-all approach, expecting teams to adjust their ways of working to fit the system—rather than the other way around.
Common frustrations include:
A rigid setup that doesn’t align with real-world workflows.
Unintuitive interfaces that make tasks more time-consuming than they should be.
Limited options for customisation, making it difficult to tailor the system to specific care models.
Technology should support care teams, not hinder them. If staff are regularly finding workarounds or struggling with a system that doesn’t fit their needs, it may be a sign that a more adaptable alternative would be a better long-term choice.
Is Your Provider Giving You the Support You Need?
A digital care planning system isn’t just about the software—it’s also about the service behind it. A few care providers mention that poor customer support is one of the biggest pain points when dealing with their current provider.
If response times are slow, issues remain unresolved, or updates feel like an afterthought, it can make an already challenging job even harder. Regular check-ins, meaningful software improvements, and quick, knowledgeable support should be a given, not an added bonus.
Is It Time to Reevaluate Your System? Time for a Change?
Care homes evolve. Needs change. What worked a few years ago might no longer be the best option today. Taking the time to review whether your current system is still the right fit can help:
Reduce unnecessary costs by cutting out features you don’t use.
Save staff time with a system that works the way they do.
Improve care delivery by making processes smoother and more intuitive.
With spring just around the corner, now might be the perfect time to take a fresh look at how your care home is managing digital care planning. If your system is holding you back rather than helping you move forward, it could be worth exploring what else is out there.
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