5 ways to reduce the risk of hospitalisations in home care

Operating in the home care space comes with a certain level of expected risk. 

After all, you’re working with people who need additional support, who rely on your services to provide high-quality care so they can continue living their lives without barriers or hinderance.  

When not adequately managed, it’s well-known that certain events can lead to hospitalisations and poor health outcomes, like falls or complaints of pain. But how can your business proactively identify these risks and avoid hospitalisations in the first place? 

We’ve reviewed government policy and consulted our own experts to explore the most effective approaches for reducing the risk of hospitalisations in home care. 

Review home set up 

The risk 

One of the most common risks in home care environments is falls. These are preventable with adequate training, mobilisation and adaptive equipment, and critically, a living space that is appropriately adapted to an individual’s mobility and care needs.  

According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, “Falls resulted in 238,055 hospitalisations in 2022–23, accounting for more than 2 in 5 (43.4%) of all injury hospitalisations. They also accounted for more than 2 in 5 (6,378) injury deaths in 2021–22, with rates increasing due to age.”  

This places a significant responsibility on home care providers, as there is potential risk for clients and carers who may inadvertently contribute to an unsafe environment or be involved in an incident. Maintaining a safe home set up is vital for client wellbeing and protecting staff. 

How to avoid it 

A practical way to address these challenges is to begin each client relationship with an occupational therapy (OT) home assessment. Many providers will have relationships with OTs, but suggesting an assessment at the commencement of working with a client could have significant outcomes for a client and healthcare professional’s safety in the home. 

This is aided by suggesting regular reviews—particularly if a client’s health or mobility deteriorates over time. By identifying hazards early, implementing necessary modifications, and continually reassessing the home environment, care providers can minimise the likelihood of falls and help ensure a safe living space for both clients and carers. 

Use technology to flag at risk clients 

The risk 

A common challenge in home care is accurately identifying at-risk clients, especially when they receive support from multiple care workers throughout the day or week.  

Even with thorough documentation, crucial details can be overlooked, making it difficult to ensure seamless handovers or flag potential concerns early. Without the right tools, care providers may struggle to maintain consistent awareness of each client’s ongoing needs.  

How to avoid it 

One solution is to use AlayaCare’s Client Intelligence Suite, which combines clinical notes, client data, and predictive analytics to offer proactive insights for better client outcomes.  

By using artificial intelligence to analyse large volumes of information, this technology flags individuals who might be at higher risk of adverse health events that could lead to hospitalisations, allowing care teams to intervene before a client’s situation worsens.  

A user-friendly dashboard enables care workers to quickly visualise and interpret each client’s risk level. This automated triage system cuts down on the possibility of missing vital details in clinical notes and provides real-time, actionable insights to guide care decisions. As a result, providers can reduce hospital admissions and help people maintain greater independence in their own homes. 

According to Natalie De Vos, Director of Clinical Service Innovation & Governance at Absolute Care & Health, “Client Intelligence Suite has been a game changer for us. It’s helped cut down on admin work and reduced the risk of human error, allowing our staff to focus more on providing quality care. The automatic risk warnings have made a real difference in helping us take a preventative approach, which means fewer trips to the doctor or hospital for our clients helping to enable continued independence at home. It’s exciting to see technology making such a positive impact in in-home care, and I hope it continues to benefit the wider healthcare system.” 

You can read more about Client Intelligence Suite here. 

Targeted staff training 

The risk 

A key risk in home care settings arises when staff are not adequately trained to meet a client’s current level of function, particularly in scenarios that involve medication management or oversight.  

Without proper preparation, staff may lack the confidence to recognise or document potential safety concerns, increasing the likelihood of oversights and hospitalisations. It is crucial for home care providers to ensure their staff have the skills and knowledge required to handle each client’s individual needs.  

How to avoid it 

A practical way to mitigate this risk is to offer targeted training that focuses on the client’s changing circumstances and care plan.  

Setting a regular schedule for check-ins with clients and family members helps identify shifts in care requirements, enabling providers to update staff training accordingly. By investing in tailored education and maintaining open communication with everyone involved, home care providers can promote safer outcomes for clients and strengthen staff competency. 

Encourage physicality and connectedness 

The risk 

Social isolation and loneliness can have significant negative effects on health, as well as on both cognitive and physical functioning.  

According to research published in the Frontiers in Ageing Neuroscience, prolonged isolation may lead to poorer health and an increased risk of decline in physical abilities. In a home care setting, some individuals may depend entirely on their care worker for social interaction, making it even more crucial to address this issue.  

Additionally, insufficient physical activity can accelerate muscle weakening and poor balance, leading to a higher likelihood of falls or other injuries. When combined with social isolation, reduced mobility can contribute to faster declines in overall health, making individuals more susceptible to hospitalisation and longer recovery times. Regular movement and gentle exercise can be critical in maintaining strength, independence, and a sense of wellbeing in home care settings. 

How to avoid it 

A practical approach is to prioritise meaningful engagement when conducting staff training, ensuring care workers understand how vital social connectedness is to overall wellbeing. Encouraging regular social outings, facilitating community visits, or simply spending extra time talking to clients can help counter the negative effects of loneliness.  

By integrating physical and social activities into care plans, home care providers can reduce avoidable health risks and help clients maintain a better quality of life at home. 

Foster communication channels 

The risk 

As client numbers grow, maintaining clear, consistent communication can become a challenge.  

Critical information about a client’s needs can be overlooked or delayed, increasing the chance of errors and compromising the quality of care.  

Without effective channels for sharing updates, home care providers risk missing vital details that could prevent hospitalisations or other negative outcomes.  

How to avoid it 

One way to address this is by using technology, such as Family Portal, that gives care teams and family members a centralised space for updates, feedback, and questions.  

This technology ensures everyone stays informed, regardless of changing rosters or staffing schedules.  

Additionally, creating a culture of open communication, where staff feel empowered to share their observations and concerns, helps maintain a high level of awareness about each client’s needs.  

By proactively checking in and encouraging feedback, care providers can foster a collaborative environment that benefits clients, family members, and carers alike. 

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If you want to learn about how to use Client Intelligence Suite to flag at risk clients, reach out to our business development team