Making the transition into care can be an emotionally-charged experience for all involved, particularly if it means taking a step back from directly caring for a loved one. People often find it hard to no longer have minute-by-minute knowledge of their loved one’s wellbeing, while also needing to learn to trust others to administer medication and provide the care they need.
© Somerset Care Group
Digital care planning can be a lifeline – providing round-the-clock access to live information about health, wellbeing and activities.
Used alongside regular care planning meetings with residents and family members, digital care platforms are a simple way for family members to access real-time information about their loved one’s care, including their fluid and nutrition intake, and night-time checks, providing much-needed reassurance for family members.
Vicki explains what access to her Dad’s real-time care plans means to her:
“My Dad, Peter, now resides at Cooksons Court in Yeovil. He has been there since April 2025 and I was fortunate enough to visit him from Australia in November 2025. Dad took a few falls before he went to Cooksons and was living on his own. My brother and I felt it was time to find the ‘right’ care home for him that was also close by to where my brother lives.
‘As I live in Australia, it is sometimes very hard to know what is going on, especially now that Dad is getting more forgetful and confused. The time difference can be challenging for him also, and we often chat in the early hours of the morning.
‘When I arrived at Cooksons Court, it just felt right. The staff and carers welcomed me and gave me the space to be with Dad and join in the daily activities. It was so comforting to see firsthand how the residents were looked after. The manager, Kristie, also made sure that I could access the portal to view Dad’s care plans while I was there.
‘I can now see what Dad gets up to each day; who administers his medication; what activities he joins in; how he interacts with the other residents; what food he is given and how often he is checked on. It is such a relief for me to review this every morning and night. I can also have conversations with Dad about the activities which he sometimes forgets.
‘I cannot recommend this enough for family members like myself who live so far away – even for those that are close by. Having the reassurance of knowing what is happening with Dad and that he is so well looked after and safe, is a great comfort.’
All of Somerset Care’s 22 not-for-profit care homes, including Cooksons Court nursing home in Yeovil, offer digital access to person-centred care plans for eligible family members as standard. To find out more please visit somersetcare.co.uk or call 0800 8174 925.
