Healthcare workers who provide care directly from the patient’s home are a crucial pillar in the country’s health system. They provide crucial day-to-day help for people in need, while freeing up space in hospitals across the country. However, being alone in a stranger’s home can be a daunting experience.

After all, you’re in unfamiliar territory, sometimes dealing with unpredictable patients and their families. Without the right equipment and devices to deal with physical or verbal aggression, routine jobs can quickly turn dangerous.

In this article, we’ll outline the exact dangers that healthcare workers face during home visits, as well as discussing ways to counteract them.

Violence against healthcare workers statistics

Violence against home healthcare workers is unfortunately all too common in the UK, with some carers experiencing abuse on a daily basis. In fact, a survey conducted by the GMB Union found that amongst its 1,700+ care worker members, 52% had experienced physical assault whilst at work.

The union also found that, since 2020, care workers across the UK have suffered 6,469 injuries deemed serious enough to keep them from working for at least a week.

Physical and verbal abuse is an unwanted, but somewhat expected aspect of being a carer. 35% of health and care workers believe it to have gotten worse since the pandemic, with 55% of those polled blaming staff shortages for the issue.

Unfortunately, those who work alone in patients’ homes are especially vulnerable, especially if they are without monitoring equipment or a panic button.

Geographic isolation in rural home visits

Attending the homes of patients in isolated rural areas provokes understandable caution amongst care workers. It can feel as though they are disconnected from their support network, which in some cases, they are.

Mobile connectivity issues

Whilst mobile connectivity in the UK is widespread, it often leaves a lot to be desired in rural areas. As a result, carers working in remote areas may be without a reliable source of communication to request support if they are feeling threatened. An alternative is using devices with satellite connection instead of mobile and 4G/5G connections. Satellite connectivity has global coverage and won’t have blind spots in rural areas.

Transport difficulties

On a logistical note, getting to and from isolated rural destinations isn’t always simple for carers, especially during the winter months. Roads aren’t tended to as much as they are in urban environments, and are trickier to navigate.

If a carer was to have an accident on the roads, they’re not only in danger themselves, but they’re also leaving a potentially vulnerable patient unattended. Having a satellite-connected device on hand will allow them to have somebody else called out to the destination of the patient.

Older populations

There’s also the demographic of those living in rural areas to consider. Rural populations tend to be older than those of urban areas, which adds to the unpredictability of the job. Diseases such as Alzheimer’s are more prevalent amongst the elderly, and physical and verbal aggression are closely linked to the disease.

When dealing with unpredictable patients, such as in this case, rural locations can add to the carer’s self-perceived isolation. This is especially true if they are without a device connected to their support network, such as a discreet panic button.

Discreet panic button technology

When a carer is being physically or verbally threatened, an audible call for backup is only likely to make things worse. By having a discreet panic button, carers can alert a response team of the ongoing problem without escalating the situation.

Panic buttons aren’t limited for use during physical or verbal attacks by patients or their families either. If a carer was to become trapped under heavy furniture or trips and falls over an obstacle in the patient’s home, they will also be able to call for help. If they become incapacitated on the job, some panic button devices will include a fall detection feature that will trigger the alarm automatically.

Many devices with panic button technology, such as the options provided by SureSafe, will also contain GPS tracking. This will allow emergency response teams to determine the carer’s exact location, lowering the time it takes for them to arrive on the scene.

Of course, no carer wants to use a panic button when attending a home visit. However, having it there as a backup will provide vital peace of mind, allowing the carer to operate to the best of their ability without feeling on edge. It will also give employers peace of mind, who have a responsibility to ensure the safety of their staff members.

GPS tracking for employer accountability

As per the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (MHSWR) act, employers must assess the risks faced by employees while at work. The act also requires employers to act on minimising/eradicating these risks.

Making use of GPS tracking technology proves that steps have been taken to ensure the safety of carers. By being able to track the carer’s whereabouts when on home visits, employers will ensure a faster response if a dangerous situation occurs.

It will also allow employers to check that their carers are turning up to home visits on the right day at the right time. It is common for patients with dementia or memory issues to believe that their carer hasn’t visited, making GPS tracking important for settling disputes.

How lone worker monitoring can help

Lone worker monitoring offers both physical and psychological protection to home carers. If a situation were to arise between carer and patient/family member, they have the constant safety net of a panic button to fall back on. When paired with GPS tracking, the carer’s exact location will be known, speeding up the response.

Its usage is also important for situations that don’t involve physical or verbal aggression. For example, if a carer has an accident while moving a patient from one place to another, or has a fall while moving around the home, an automatic fall alarm will trigger, alerting the response team that support is needed.

Above all, lone worker monitoring gives the carer peace of mind that they aren’t truly alone whilst on the job. Instead they are a click of a button away from receiving the help they need, regardless of their location. This will help them to carry out the most important part of their job, which is providing patients with the best care possible.

Ensure your safety as a home healthcare worker with SureSafe

At SureSafe, we provide solutions that protect the safety of lone workers, the elderly, people who are prone to seizures, and more. Our safety alarms will give you the peace of mind you need to carry out lone care visits to the best of your ability.

Whatever form of care you provide, be sure to invest in your safety with a lone working device that will send out an immediate call for help if you were to need it.

To get in contact with us, call us on 0808 189 1670, speak to our live chat, or request a call back. Our expert team will be happy to answer your questions and run you through the products we offer.