The first institution in Germany to be explicitly established as a “hospital” was the cathedral chapter hospital in Regensburg, which opened in 1667.

With the emergence of the universities, the care of the sick was incorporated into the educational establishments, and deaconesses were the first non-religious nurses.

Agnes Karll founded the professional organization of female nurses in Germany in 1903, and in 1906 the first uniform professional regulations were established.

From craft to science

Just as the self-image of nursing has changed over the course of time, so has the nursing work itself. Today, nursing and geriatric care is still a traditional training occupation, but it has now arrived in the modern age and is represented at universities as a course of study with a wide range of specializations. This is not least due to the ever-increasing professional demands placed on nursing staff. In the past, care was provided from person to person, but in recent years the care professions, like many others, have had to keep pace with increasing digitalization.

It is not only increasingly complex documentation that takes up additional time in day-to-day care. Important time that is lost to the actual caring and nurturing care work.

Due to the unattractive conditions, fewer and fewer young people are choosing a career in the care sector. Should they nevertheless consider training in the field of nursing, they would have to care for an ever-increasing number of patients and care home residents due to the ageing of society.

In order to keep pace with this development, increasing technologization in the care sector is essential. In order to keep the increased volume of nursing care manageable with decreasing staff numbers, nursing science in particular had to be advanced. At the same time, this provides advanced medical and nursing care.

Technical progress in everyday care

The information and communication technology used forms the basis for almost completely digitalized communication. The Basus is also used for everyday technology applications.

But who wants personal attention to be replaced by modern technology when it comes to their own well-being? However, what may seem futuristic can be more than just a way to live longer and more safely within your own four walls. In particular, it can also relieve nursing staff in facilities in their daily work.

This will give them more time to devote to their actual task of caring for the people entrusted to them.

Digital assistance for better quality

Especially in times of the pandemic, simple technical developments such as video telephony make it possible for people who are hospitalized in clinics or nursing homes to stay in contact with their relatives and the outside world.

This means that hospitalization is not experienced as so restrictive and those affected remain mentally more stable, which also has an effect on their physical condition.

In day-to-day care, digital support frees up resources for basic care. These can benefit patients and residents of care facilities in interpersonal contact.

One example of this is liquid balancing. Sufficient fluid intake is particularly important for hospitalized people. The time available per person in need of care is often not enough to encourage older people to drink enough. Admission to the emergency room due to a lack of fluids is quite common.

This is where digital everyday helpers such as the SmartCup from LAQA can provide valuable services. It not only reminds residents to drink regularly, so that they can drink the necessary 1.5 – 2.5 liters of fluid per day on their own. The tedious documentation by the staff is also no longer necessary; a digital drinking log is created. This saves time overall, which in turn can benefit patients.

This extra attention, which is made possible by this digital assistant, creates the opportunity for more individualized care and therefore greater satisfaction on both sides.

Good prospects

Just as care has changed over the course of time, technology is also advancing inexorably in everyday care. Used sensibly, digital assistants can not only contribute to the professionalization of care, but also create a win-win situation.

This gives both carers and those being cared for the opportunity for more togetherness. Just as it was standard in traditional care and helps the original meaning of care and nurturing to come into its own. A big step forward and also in the right direction.