SMS in home care: a schedule that keeps changing

In home care the schedule changes constantly, and both the carer and the patient need to know. SMS is the only channel that reaches both on the move.

To the carer

Changes to the round, an address that changes, a visit that falls away. Somebody in a car does not read email and does not log into a planning tool.

To the patient or family carer

A changed time, or a different nurse than expected. That last one prevents anxiety at the door.

What you never mention

Care content. Only time, place and who is coming.

The practical trap

Changes often come from several people at once. Without an agreement on who notifies, the patient gets three messages or none. Fix that it always goes through planning.

Keep what you sent

If there is a dispute about a visit that did not happen, a retrievable message is the only evidence that you gave notice.