Home care has been transformed in just one generation. A sector that once relied on folders, phone calls and stacks of paper is now powered by real-time software and mobile apps. The shift hasn’t been easy, but it has been one of the most important changes in improving both care delivery and quality of life for clients, carers and providers alike.
From paper to digital: my journey
People often say, “don’t look back, look forward,” but my digital journey actually started in the 90s, when I first began thinking about how I could make a meaningful impact in my community.
Back then, everything in home care ran on paper: care plans in folders, rotas printed and handed out, communication via phone calls and notes. Learning to use PCs, websites, social media and home care software wasn’t easy, but I was determined not to get left behind by technology. Like everyone, I still face challenges, but working in tech over the past few years has given me a real advantage and countless opportunities to grow, while also giving me a deep understanding of our customers’ needs and the day-to-day pain points they face.
When paper was king
In the early 2000s, UK home care still ran on paper:
Care plans in thick folders
Illegible handwriting
Rotas were printed and distributed
Communication required significant resources and time
It worked… but it was slow, prone to errors and limited what teams could achieve.
From scepticism to success
Home care software transformed the industry. Initially, many were sceptical, seeing it as complicated, expensive or unnecessary. Some even resisted technology altogether. But the benefits quickly became clear:
Better record keeping: everything in one secure, searchable place
Improved communication: real-time updates replaced endless phone calls
More time with clients: less admin, more face-to-face care
Challenges remained, learning new systems, convincing colleagues it wasn’t replacing them and securing leadership buy-in, but once people experienced the benefits first-hand, attitudes shifted and the sector began embracing digital tools.
Voices from the front line
Katy Clayton-Turner and Sophie Rolfe, Sussex Village Home Care Service
“Paper just does not work. I don’t know how people are still managing with it. With CareLineLive, we can instantly see if we have room for a new client or not. It takes seconds to assess capacity rather than manually calculating availability. I would never go back to paper, CareLineLive has transformed the way we work and the quality of care we provide.”
View the interview below.
Alice Allen, North Shropshire Homecare
“Paper led to limited communication. If staff didn’t tell us, we didn’t know. We’ve saved so much time and the staff are happier because they feel more informed, they see changes on their app, even down to birthdays. They don’t have to ring us for little things, which gives us more time to focus on management, admin and auditing.”
View the interview below.
Vicky Bailey and Wendy Benneyworth, Nurseplus Southampton
“Definitely do it! It’s so much better. It saves time and is much easier than we thought. Previously, delays in reading paper notes affected care, now we can see notes instantly, which is far better.”
View the interview below.
Nurseplus, Southampton: A heartfelt journey of bringing digital into care
Lynette Simpson, Cavendish Homecare
“Our old system was outdated. Once we grew beyond twenty staff and clients, it didn’t work. Transitioning to CareLineLive was quick, effective and fully supported. We haven’t looked back since.”
View the interview below.
How Cavendish Homecare boosted capacity by 25% with CareLineLive
“Switching to CareLineLive transformed the way we run our service. Everything is just there.” Sarah J., Manchester
“The software gave our carers more time with clients instead of hours on admin.” David M., London
“We were nervous about moving away from paper, but now we can’t imagine going back.” Emma L., Birmingham
“From rota planning to daily logs, everything is faster and more accurate. Team morale has improved.” James K., Leeds
Building for the future
Thanks to CareLineLive’s diverse customer base, we have unique visibility into how different providers operate. This enables us to build features that deliver value to organisations of all sizes.
Step inside the story of CareLineLive with our Founder and Managing Director, Josh Hough, as he shares the spark behind the company’s creation and the driving force behind its mission. Filmed recently, this candid interview unpacks where the inspiration for CareLineLive originated and where we’re headed next.
Watch the interview here.
What the industry has learned along the way
The shift from paper to digital is a huge milestone in the industry. Digital tools don’t take away the human element of care, they enhance it.
The lesson? You don’t have to be a tech expert to avoid getting left behind by technology. A willingness to learn, try new tools and focus on improving outcomes makes all the difference. Come and see how others have done just that.
