Caregiver management device, caregiver management method, and caregiver management program

Abstract

To provide a carer management device, carer management method and carer management program that enable a carer and an administrator to properly manage a care schedule.SOLUTION: A carer management device (a server 30) can access a carer terminal 10 a carer carries, and a life logger 20 installed at a bed of a cared person via a network 100. The carer management device is configured to store a preliminarily set care schedule. When the carer carrying the carer terminal 10 enters a room of the cared person, the carer terminal 10 and the life logger 20 are paired with each other. When a disparity between a paired time and a care start time of the care schedule exceeds a prescribed threshold (a time interval), the carer management device is configured to transmit a warning to the carer terminal 10. The carer terminal 10 is configured to transmit correction information on the care schedule to the server 30, and the server 30 is configured to correct the care schedule on the basis of the correction information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a caregiver management device, a caregiver management method, and a caregiver management program for managing caregivers who care for care recipients such as the elderly in a home care facility that cares for care recipients.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in a home care facility, caregivers have obtained vital data of care recipients using devices such as life loggers and cared for the care recipients while grasping the state of the care recipients. In such a care method, caregivers can immediately grasp changes in the state of the care recipients and can effectively respond to the care recipients. In addition, by continuously monitoring the care recipients by such a care method, it is possible to reduce over-care of the care recipients by caregivers, which also contributes to the improvement of the life of the care recipients in the home care facility and the reduction of the burden on the caregivers.

[0003] On the other hand, in a home care facility, many caregivers are engaged in caregiving operations. Therefore, the administrator (such as the operator) of the home care facility needs to manage the caregiving operations of the caregivers, for example, whether the caregivers are providing appropriate care and whether there is any omission in caregiving.

[0004] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2019-8656 (Patent Document 1) discloses a care record support system. The care record support system includes a position information acquisition unit that acquires the position information of a caregiver, an audio acquisition unit that acquires the audio of the caregiver, an extraction unit that extracts care situation information regarding the care situation included in the audio of the caregiver, a specification unit that specifies setting information regarding the care of the care recipient based on the position information, and a recording unit that associates the setting information and the care situation information and records them as a care record of the care recipient. Thereby, an accurate care record that does not rely on memory is realized without imposing unnecessary labor on the caregiver.

[0005] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2014-21635 (Patent Document 2) discloses a monitoring system for persons requiring care. The monitoring system for persons requiring care includes a first transceiver worn on the person being monitored, which transmits and receives biometric information of the person being monitored and transmits and receives communication signals between the person being monitored and the monitor; a common second transceiver that transmits and receives biometric information and communication signals between multiple first transceivers; a common monitoring device connected to the second transceiver that displays biometric information from multiple first transceivers; a common communication device connected to the second transceiver that communicates with the person being monitored; and a common server to which multiple monitoring devices are connected. The common server receives and stores information on multiple persons being monitored from each monitoring device. This prevents the loss of previously stored data when, for example, a person requiring care changes from one day care center to another, suppresses false alarms, and improves the reliability of the monitoring system for persons requiring care. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2019-8656 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2014-21635 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] However, the care record system and the care recipient monitoring system do not propose that caregivers and managers in home care facilities properly manage care schedules in cases where delays occur, etc., in order to enable caregivers in home care facilities to perform their duties smoothly.

[0008] Therefore, the objective of this disclosure is to provide a caregiver management device, a caregiver management method, and a caregiver management program that enable caregivers and managers to appropriately manage care schedules. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] (Composition 1) To address the above issues, this disclosure is structured as follows: The caregiver management device relating to this disclosure may be a caregiver management device that can be accessed via a network from a caregiver terminal held by the caregiver and a care recipient terminal placed in the care recipient's room. The system may include: a storage unit that stores the caregiver's care schedule, a caregiver ID that identifies the caregiver's terminal, and a care recipient ID that identifies the care recipient's terminal; a pairing information receiving unit that receives pairing information from either the caregiver's terminal or the care recipient's terminal when the caregiver's terminal enters a predetermined distance range from the care recipient's terminal, including the time of pairing, the caregiver's ID of the caregiver's terminal, and the care recipient's ID of the care recipient's terminal; a start time determination unit that determines whether the discrepancy between the time of pairing and the start time of care in the care schedule corresponding to the paired caregiver and care recipient exceeds a predetermined threshold; a warning transmission unit that sends a warning to the caregiver's terminal if the discrepancy between the time of pairing and the start time of care exceeds a predetermined threshold; a correction information receiving unit that receives correction information for the care schedule from the caregiver's terminal; and a schedule correction unit that corrects the care schedule based on the correction information for the care schedule.

[0010] This allows caregivers to appropriately adjust their care schedules. Furthermore, managers of home-based care facilities can monitor delays in designated caregivers' schedules and manage them appropriately.

[0011] (Configuration 2) The caregiver management device according to Configuration 1 may further include a pairing cancellation information receiving unit that receives pairing cancellation information, including the time of pairing cancellation, the caregiver ID of the caregiver terminal, and the care recipient ID of the care recipient terminal, from either the caregiver terminal or the care recipient terminal when the caregiver terminal moves out of a predetermined distance range from the care recipient terminal, and a completion time determination unit that determines whether the discrepancy between the time of pairing cancellation and the care completion time of the care schedule corresponding to the caregiver and care recipient whose pairing was cancelled exceeds a predetermined threshold. The warning transmission unit may transmit a warning to the caregiver terminal if the discrepancy between the time of pairing cancellation and the care completion time exceeds a predetermined threshold. This allows caregivers to appropriately adjust their care schedules. In addition, the administrator of a home-based care facility can grasp delays in the care schedules of designated caregivers and appropriately manage them.

[0012] (Composition 3) In a caregiver management device according to configuration 1 or 2, the warning transmission unit may transmit a warning to the caregiver terminal if the pairing information receiving unit does not receive pairing information within a predetermined time from the start time of care on the care schedule. This prevents caregivers from making mistakes such as forgetting to perform caregiving duties for a designated care recipient.

[0013] (Composition 4) A caregiver management device according to any of configurations 1 to 3 may further include an abnormal information receiving unit that receives abnormal information from an abnormal operation detection unit of the caregiver terminal. This allows for more appropriate care of the person receiving care.

[0014] (Composition 5) The caregiver management device is configured according to any of the four configurations 1 to 4, and the care recipient terminal may be a life logger that acquires the care recipient's vital data. This allows life loggers, which are generally installed in the rooms of residents in home-based care facilities, to be effectively used for caregiver management as well.

[0015] (Composition 6) The caregiver management method relating to this disclosure may be a caregiver management method that can be accessed via a network from a caregiver terminal held by the caregiver and a care recipient terminal placed in the care recipient's room. The method may include the steps of: storing the caregiver's care schedule, a caregiver ID that identifies the caregiver terminal, and a care recipient ID that identifies the care recipient terminal; when the caregiver terminal enters a predetermined distance range from the care recipient terminal, the caregiver terminal and the care recipient terminal are paired, and pairing information including the time of pairing, the caregiver ID of the caregiver terminal, and the care recipient ID of the care recipient terminal is received from either the caregiver terminal or the care recipient terminal; determining whether the discrepancy between the time of pairing and the start time of care in the care schedule corresponding to the paired caregiver and care recipient exceeds a predetermined threshold; sending a warning to the caregiver terminal if the discrepancy between the time of pairing and the start time of care exceeds a predetermined threshold; receiving information on the correction of the care schedule from the caregiver terminal; and correcting the care schedule based on the information on the correction of the care schedule. This allows caregivers to appropriately adjust their care schedules. Furthermore, managers of home-based care facilities can monitor delays in designated caregivers' schedules and manage them appropriately.

[0016] (Composition 7) The caregiver management program relating to this disclosure may be a caregiver management program that causes a computer to perform each of the steps described in Configuration 6. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to the caregiver management device, caregiver management method, and caregiver management program disclosed herein, caregivers and managers can appropriately manage care schedules. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0018] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the caregiver management system according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the caregiver terminal shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the Life Logger shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the server shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the administrator terminal shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the caregiver terminal database. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the Life Logger database. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the care schedule. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the caregiver management system shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the caregiver management system shown in FIG. 1.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0019] Hereinafter, the caregiver management system 1 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure will be specifically described based on the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the caregiver management system 1 of the present embodiment includes a caregiver terminal 10, a Life Logger (care recipient terminal) 20, and a server 30. The server 30 is a caregiver management device.

[0020] The caregiver terminal 10 is a portable communication terminal operated by a caregiver who provides care to a person receiving care in a home-based care facility, and is capable of accessing the server 30 via the network 100. The caregiver terminal 10 is, for example, a portable communication terminal such as a wireless tag, mobile phone, smartphone, or tablet. In particular, the caregiver terminal 10 is preferably a smartphone or tablet. The caregiver terminal 10 may also be a beacon. The caregiver terminal 10 is assigned a caregiver ID for identification of the caregiver terminal 10. In this disclosure, "home-based care facility" refers to a residential facility where elderly or disabled persons who require care live while receiving care from a caregiver, and includes, for example, nursing homes for the elderly, health care facilities for the elderly, medical facilities for long-term care, service-provided housing for the elderly, paid nursing homes, nursing homes for the elderly, low-cost nursing homes, group homes, care homes, and facilities for disabled persons.

[0021] The care recipient terminals include, for example, wireless tags, beacons, mobile phones, smartphones, and tablet devices, as well as life loggers and other monitoring terminals for care recipients. Of these terminals, life loggers are commonly used in many facilities because they allow for real-time monitoring of the care recipient's condition. Therefore, using a life logger as a care recipient terminal can reduce costs compared to preparing a separate care recipient terminal. Accordingly, this embodiment will describe the case in which a life logger 20 is used as a care recipient terminal. The life logger 20 is installed under the futon or mattress on the bed used by the care recipient, that is, between the bed and the futon or mattress. The life logger 20 acquires the care recipient's vital data and periodically transmits the vital data to the server 30 via the network 100. The life logger 20 can access the server 30 via the network 100. The life logger 20 is also assigned a life logger ID (care recipient ID) to identify the life logger 20. As described later, when the caregiver terminal 10 approaches within a predetermined distance range from the life logger 20, the life logger 20 pairs with the caregiver terminal 10 and transmits the pairing information to the server 30. The life logger 20 is not limited to being installed between the bed and the futon or mattress; it may be attached to the bed's comforter, worn by the person receiving care, or even a camera installed in the person receiving care to photograph them. However, a life logger 20 installed between the bed and the comforter or mattress can acquire vital data without causing discomfort to the person receiving care and does not raise privacy issues like camera photography. Therefore, it is preferable for the life logger 20 to be installed between the bed and the futon or mattress. The person receiving care terminal can be set up anywhere, such as the person receiving care's room, as long as the pairing of the caregiver terminal 10 and the caregiver terminal can detect when the caregiver holding the caregiver terminal 10 approaches the person receiving care and pair the caregiver terminal 10 with the person receiving care.

[0022] Server 30 processes various information received from the caregiver terminal 10 and the life logger 20. Server 30 also processes various information sent to the caregiver terminal 10 and the life logger 20. Specifically, a caregiver management program is installed to cause the server 30 to execute the steps described later.

[0023] As shown in Figure 2, the caregiver terminal 10 comprises an input unit 11, a display unit 12 for displaying various information, a caregiver ID transmission unit 13, a warning reception unit 14, and a correction information transmission unit 15. When the caregiver terminal 10 approaches the life logger 20 within a predetermined range, the caregiver ID transmission unit 13 transmits the caregiver ID of the caregiver terminal 10 to the life logger 20 in order to pair the caregiver terminal 10 with the life logger 20. The warning reception unit 14 receives warnings transmitted from the server 30 when there is a discrepancy between the care schedule and the actual care time, as will be described later. The warning includes information such as the time of discrepancy, the paired caregiver ID and life logger ID. When the warning reception unit 14 receives a warning, the correction information transmission unit 15 transmits correction information for the care schedule to the server 30. The correction information is entered by the caregiver using the input unit 11. The input unit 11 is, for example, a mobile terminal key or a touch panel. The display unit 12 is a display or the like. The caregiver terminal 10 is equipped with a CPU, main memory or auxiliary storage device, etc., similar to a typical smartphone or other mobile communication terminal.

[0024] As shown in Figure 3, the life logger 20 comprises a vital data transmission unit 21, a caregiver ID receiving unit 22, a pairing information transmission unit 23, and a pairing cancellation information transmission unit 24. The vital data transmission unit 21 periodically transmits vital data acquired from the person receiving care to the server 30. The caregiver ID receiving unit 22 receives the caregiver ID transmitted from the caregiver terminal 10 when the caregiver terminal 10 and the life logger 20 are paired. The pairing information transmission unit 23 transmits pairing information, including the time of pairing, the caregiver ID, and the life logger ID, to the server 30 when the caregiver terminal 10 moves out of a predetermined range of the life logger 20. Furthermore, when the caregiver terminal 10 approaches the life logger 20 within a predetermined distance, pairing occurs automatically. Pairing between the caregiver terminal 10 and the life logger 20 can be done using wireless communication such as Bluetooth®.

[0025] As shown in Figure 4, the server 30 includes a storage unit 31 that stores various information such as the care schedule, caregiver ID, and life logger ID, a vital data receiving unit 32, a pairing information receiving unit 33, a start time determination unit 34, a pairing cancellation information receiving unit 35, an end time determination unit 36, a warning transmission unit 37, a correction information receiving unit 38, and a schedule correction unit 39. The vital data receiving unit 32 periodically receives vital data from the person being cared for and transmits the vital data to the caregiver terminal 10 or the administrator terminal 40 as appropriate.

[0026] The pairing information receiving unit 33 receives pairing information transmitted from the pairing information transmitting unit 23 of the life logger 20. The pairing information may also be received from the caregiver terminal 10. That is, the caregiver terminal 10 may be equipped with a pairing information transmitting unit. However, considering the stability of communication, given that the life logger 20 periodically communicates with the server 30 when transmitting vital data, and that multiple pairs of pairing information may be transmitted from multiple caregiver terminals 10 when multiple caregivers are caring for the same person, it is preferable for the life logger 20 to transmit the pairing information.

[0027] The start time determination unit 34 determines whether a caregiver has started providing care to a person receiving care based on the care start time of a pre-set care schedule. More specifically, the start time determination unit 34 determines whether a caregiver possessing a caregiver terminal 10 assigned to a caregiver ID has started providing care to a designated person receiving care in the care schedule corresponding to the caregiver ID. The person receiving care is identified by the life logger ID of a life logger 20 installed on the bed used by the person receiving care. The start time determination unit 34 compares the time when the caregiver terminal 10 and the life logger 20 were paired with the care start time of a pre-set care schedule and determines whether the discrepancy between the pairing time and the care start time of the care schedule exceeds a predetermined threshold. The predetermined threshold can be determined in various ways, and may be changed, for example, depending on the caregiver's experience or the circumstances of each person receiving care.

[0028] The unpairing information receiving unit 35 receives the unpairing information transmitted from the unpairing information transmitting unit 24 of the life logger 20. The unpairing information may also be transmitted from the caregiver terminal 10, similar to the pairing information described above. However, as mentioned above, it is preferable that the unpairing information be transmitted from the life logger 20.

[0029] The end time determination unit 36 ​​determines whether the caregiver has finished providing care to the person being cared for, based on a pre-set care schedule. More specifically, the end time determination unit 36 ​​determines whether the caregiver possessing the caregiver terminal 10 assigned to the caregiver ID has finished providing care to a designated person being cared for, in the care schedule corresponding to the caregiver ID. The person being cared for is identified by the life logger ID of the life logger 20 installed on the bed used by the person being cared for. The end time determination unit 36 ​​compares the time when the pairing between the caregiver terminal 10 and the life logger 20, which is included in the unpairing information, with the care end time in the pre-set care schedule, and determines whether the discrepancy between the pairing time and the care end time in the care schedule exceeds a predetermined threshold. The predetermined threshold can be determined in various ways, and may be changed, for example, depending on the caregiver's experience or the situation of each person being cared for.

[0030] The warning transmission unit 37 sends a warning to the caregiver terminal 10 when the discrepancy between the pairing time and the start time of care exceeds a predetermined threshold, and when the discrepancy between the time of unpairing and the end time of care exceeds a predetermined threshold. The warning includes information such as the time of discrepancy, the paired caregiver ID, and the life logger ID.

[0031] The correction information receiving unit 38 receives correction information transmitted from the caregiver terminal 10.

[0032] The schedule modification unit 39 modifies the care schedule recorded in the storage unit 31 based on the modification information received by the modification information receiving unit 38.

[0033] As shown in Figure 1, the caregiver management system 1 further includes an administrator terminal 40. As shown in Figure 5, the administrator terminal 40 includes an input unit 41 for inputting various information and a display unit 42 for displaying various information. The input unit 41 is, for example, a keyboard. The display unit 42 is, for example, a display. The display unit 42 displays vital data received by the vital data receiving unit 32 and various information transmitted and received by the server 30. The display unit 42 displays information on the paired caregiver ID and life logger ID, that is, the location information of the caregivers, such as which care recipient each caregiver is caring for. The display unit 42 displays the care schedule for each caregiver ID and the care schedule modified by the schedule modification unit 39. At this time, the administrator may, as will be described later, visually check the modified care schedule displayed on the display unit 42 to confirm whether the care schedule modified by the caregiver is appropriate. In addition, the administrator terminal 40 can display information included in warnings received by the server 30 on the display unit 42. The display unit 42 may display this information in real time, or it may be set to update periodically at predetermined time intervals. Furthermore, the care schedule can be pre-set by inputting it into the administrator via the input unit 41 of the administrator terminal 40. This allows the administrator to manage whether caregivers are performing their care duties appropriately. Although not specifically shown in the diagram, the administrator terminal 40 may also include an administrator warning receiver and an administrator correction information transmission unit. The administrator warning receiver of the administrator terminal 40 may receive warnings from the warning transmission unit 37 of the server 30, as described later. The administrator may check the progress of each caregiver's care duties and correct each caregiver's care schedule. The correction information is transmitted from the administrator correction information transmission unit to the correction information receiver 38 of the server 30. Alternatively, even if the administrator terminal 40 does not receive a warning from the server 30, the administrator correction information transmission unit may transmit the correction information entered by the administrator via the input unit 41 based on the care schedule displayed on the display unit 42 to the correction information receiver 38 of the server 30. The server 30 can modify the care schedules of each caregiver stored in the storage unit 31 based on the correction information.Thus, care schedules may be modified by administrators rather than caregivers.

[0034] Next, an example of a database stored in the storage unit 31 of the server 30 will be explained using Figures 6 to 8. Note that the databases shown in Figures 6 to 8 are just examples, and the information stored in each database may be changed as appropriate.

[0035] As shown in Figure 6, the caregiver terminal information database stores the caregiver ID and the caregiver's name associated with each caregiver terminal 10. Caregivers working in home-based care facilities change due to employment and resignation. Therefore, the names of caregivers associated with the caregiver IDs can be updated as needed in accordance with the changes in caregivers. Alternatively, there are work situations where caregivers who report to work according to their shift schedule receive one caregiver terminal 10 from the administrator from among multiple caregiver terminals 10, and return the caregiver terminal 10 to the administrator when they finish their caregiving duties and leave work. In this case, the names of caregivers associated with the caregiver IDs can be updated as needed when the caregiver receives the caregiver terminal 10 from the administrator and when they return it to the administrator. In this case, the caregiver terminal information database only needs to store the caregiver IDs, and the administrator may separately manage which caregiver terminal 10 each caregiver possesses. The MAC address of each caregiver terminal 10 may also be used to identify each caregiver terminal 10.

[0036] As shown in Figure 7, the life logger information database stores the life logger ID, the room number where the life logger 20 is installed, and the name of the person receiving care for each life logger ID. The information stored in the life logger information database can be updated as needed in accordance with the admission and departure of the person receiving care ID. In addition, information necessary for managing the person receiving care, such as the admission and departure dates, may be stored in the life logger information database as needed.

[0037] As shown in Figure 8, the memory unit 31 stores a care schedule pre-set for each caregiver ID. The care schedule stores the start and end times and the content of care for a designated care recipient for each caregiver. The care schedule shown in Figure 8 covers the period from 5:00 AM to 12:00 PM. However, care is provided 24 hours a day by multiple caregivers working in shifts. Therefore, the care schedule is pre-set for the entire 24-hour period. Consequently, the care schedule shown in Figure 8 is an excerpt to facilitate explanation of the care schedule. Furthermore, the time interval between the start and end times of care may be lengthened or shortened depending on the content of the care.

[0038] As an example, let's describe the care schedule of caregiver A. Caregiver A is scheduled to assist care recipient G with toileting from 5:00 to 5:30, assist care recipient H with toileting from 5:30 to 6:00, provide morning care to care recipient I from 6:00 to 6:30, provide morning care to care recipient J from 6:30 to 7:00, assist care recipient G with meals from 7:00 to 8:00, assist care recipient I with toileting from 8:00 to 8:30, and assist care recipient G with bathing together with caregiver B from 9:00 to 10:00. Caregiver A leaves work at 10:00. In this way, caregiver A performs caregiving duties according to a predetermined care schedule. The care schedule may be set according to the appropriate time required for each caregiving task, such as toileting assistance or meal assistance. The appropriate time for caregiving tasks is generally the time required from the start to the end of each caregiving task, such as assistance with excretion or assistance with eating. In this case, although not specifically shown in the diagram, the memory unit 31 may store a database of appropriate times for each caregiving task. The same applies to caregivers B, C, and other caregivers. Note that meal assistance refers to assistance with meals served in the care recipient's room, and bathing assistance refers to assistance with bathing in a bathtub brought into the care recipient's room.

[0039] Although not specifically illustrated, for example, there are cases where multiple care recipients, such as care recipients G to L, eat meals in a dining room located within a home-based care facility. In this case, it is not possible to transmit pairing information with the caregiver ID to the server 30 using the life logger 20 installed in the care recipient's room. Therefore, if a care recipient terminal is separately installed in the dining room, the care recipient terminal in the dining room and the caregiver terminal can be paired to modify the care schedule and manage the caregiver. Similarly, when bathing assistance is provided in a bathroom located within the home-based care facility rather than in the care recipient's room, a care recipient terminal can be installed in the bathroom, and the care recipient terminal in the bathroom can be paired with the caregiver terminal.

[0040] Referring to the flowcharts shown in Figures 9 and 10, the process for modifying the care schedule stored in the server 30 will be explained. Note that the life logger 20 periodically transmits the care recipient's vital data to the server 30, but its illustration and explanation are omitted here.

[0041] As shown in Figure 9, when a caregiver carrying the caregiver terminal 10 enters the room of the person being cared for, that is, when they come within a predetermined distance range from the life logger 20, the caregiver ID transmission unit 13 of the caregiver terminal 10 transmits the caregiver ID to the life logger 20 (S101). When the caregiver ID receiving unit 22 of the life logger 20 receives the caregiver ID (S102), it pairs with the caregiver terminal 10 and generates pairing information including the time of pairing, the caregiver ID of the caregiver terminal 10, and the life logger ID of the life logger 20 (S103). The pairing information transmission unit 23 of the life logger 20 transmits the pairing information to the server 30 (S104). When the pairing information receiving unit 33 of the server 30 receives pairing information (S105), the start time determination unit 34 compares the start time of care in the care schedule corresponding to the caregiver ID and the care recipient ID with the paired time included in the pairing information and determines whether the discrepancy between these times is within a predetermined threshold (time interval) (S106). For example, referring to Figure 8, in the care schedule of caregiver A, if the pairing information receiving unit 33 receives the pairing information at 7:10 (or 6:50) for meal assistance for care recipient G, whose care start time is 7:00, the discrepancy between these times is 10 minutes. If the predetermined threshold is set to 5 minutes, it is determined that the discrepancy between these times exceeds the predetermined threshold. If the discrepancy between these times exceeds the predetermined threshold, the warning transmission unit 37 of the server 30 sends a warning to the caregiver terminal 10 (S107). If the discrepancy between these times does not exceed a predetermined threshold, the server 30 does not send a warning to the caregiver terminal 10. When the warning receiving unit 14 of the caregiver terminal 10 receives a warning (S108), the caregiver holding the caregiver terminal 10 inputs the care schedule correction information using the input unit 11. The correction information transmission unit 15 of the caregiver terminal 10 transmits the correction information to the server 30 (S109). When the correction information receiving unit 38 of the server 30 receives the correction information (S110), the schedule correction unit 39 corrects the care schedule stored in the storage unit 31 (S111). Although not specifically shown in the diagram, when the correction information receiving unit 38 of the server 30 receives the correction information (S110), the correction information may be displayed on the display unit 42 of the administrator terminal 40.The administrator can confirm the correction information displayed on the display unit 42. If the correction information is correct, the server 30 receives the approval information entered by the administrator from the input unit 41 of the administrator terminal 40 (S110-1). After the server 30 receives the correction approval information, the schedule correction unit 39 corrects the care schedule stored in the storage unit 31 (S111). On the other hand, if the correction information is incorrect, the server 30 receives the corrected correction information from the input unit 42 of the administrator terminal 40 (S110-2). In this way, the schedule correction unit 39 may correct the care schedule stored in the storage unit 31 after the server 30 receives the approval information or correction information (S111). The correction information may also be sent from the server 30 to the caregiver terminal 10. This allows the caregiver to confirm that the correction information they entered has been further corrected by the administrator. If the correction information is incorrect, the administrator may prompt the caregiver to correct the care schedule again.

[0042] As shown in Figure 10, when a caregiver finishes caring for a person being cared for and leaves the person being cared for's room, that is, when they leave the predetermined distance range of the life logger 20, the pairing between the caregiver terminal 10 and the life logger 20 is dissolved (S112). The pairing disengagement information transmission unit 24 of the life logger 20 generates pairing disengagement information including the time the pairing was disengaged, the caregiver ID, and the life logger ID (S113), and transmits the pairing disengagement information to the server 30 (S114). When the pairing disengagement information receiving unit 35 of the server 30 receives the pairing disengagement information (S115), the end time determination unit 36 ​​compares the end time of care in the care schedule corresponding to the caregiver ID and the person being cared for ID with the time the pairing was disengaged included in the pairing disengagement information, and determines whether the discrepancy between these times is within a predetermined threshold (time interval) (S116). For example, referring to Figure 8, in caregiver A's care schedule, if the time the pairing release information receiving unit 35 receives the pairing release information for meal assistance for care recipient G, whose care ends at 8:00, is 8:10 (or 7:50), then the discrepancy between these times is 10 minutes. If a predetermined threshold is set to 5 minutes, then the discrepancy between these times is determined to exceed the predetermined threshold. If the discrepancy between these times exceeds the predetermined threshold, the warning sending unit 37 of the server 30 sends a warning to the caregiver terminal 10 (S117). If the discrepancy between these times does not exceed the predetermined threshold, the server 30 does not send a warning to the caregiver terminal 10. When the warning receiving unit 14 of the caregiver terminal 10 receives a warning (S118), the caregiver holding the caregiver terminal 10 inputs the care schedule correction information using the input unit 11. The correction information sending unit 15 of the caregiver terminal 10 sends the correction information to the server 30 (S119). When the correction information receiving unit 38 of the server 30 receives correction information (S120), the schedule correction unit 39 corrects the care schedule stored in the storage unit 31 (S121). In addition, although not specifically shown in the figures, when the correction information receiving unit 38 of the server 30 receives correction information (S120), the correction information may be displayed on the display unit 42 of the administrator terminal 40. The administrator can then confirm the correction information displayed on the display unit 42.If the correction information is correct, the server 30 receives the approval information entered by the administrator from the input unit 41 of the administrator terminal 40 (S120-1). After the server 30 receives the correction approval information, the schedule correction unit 39 corrects the care schedule stored in the storage unit 31 (S121). On the other hand, if the correction information is incorrect, the server 30 receives the corrected correction information from the input unit 42 of the administrator terminal 40 (S120-2). In this way, the schedule correction unit 39 may correct the care schedule stored in the storage unit 31 after the server 30 receives the approval information or correction information (S121). The correction information may also be sent from the server 30 to the caregiver terminal 10. This allows the caregiver to confirm that the correction information they entered has been further corrected by the administrator. If the correction information is incorrect, the administrator may prompt the caregiver to correct the care schedule again. When the caregiver enters the correction information, for example, if the start time or end time of the care schedule is 10 minutes later than the actual start time, the caregiver can correct the subsequent care schedule to be 10 minutes later.

[0043] Furthermore, methods for a computer to perform these operations, and programs for doing so, are also included in embodiments of the present invention.

[0044] (modified version) The warning transmission unit 37 may also send a warning if the life logger ID included in the pairing information does not match the life logger ID stored in the care schedule, that is, if the caregiver enters the wrong room at a predetermined time. The warning transmission unit 37 of the server 30 may also send a warning to the administrator terminal 40. In this case, the warning sent to the administrator terminal 40 may include pairing information or unpairing information. This allows the administrator to understand and manage whether the caregiver is delaying caregiving tasks or whether caregiving tasks are being performed appropriately. For example, if the care schedule is set assuming that a predetermined amount of time will be required for toileting assistance, and the time interval between the time of pairing and the time of unpairing is significantly shorter than the predetermined time required for toileting assistance, there is a risk that the caregiver is not providing appropriate toileting assistance to the person being cared for. The administrator can understand whether the caregiver is delaying caregiving tasks or whether caregiving tasks are being performed appropriately and can instruct the caregiver to improve their caregiving tasks. Furthermore, the warning transmission unit 37 may send a warning to the caregiver terminal 10 if it does not receive pairing information from the life logger 20 even after a predetermined time has elapsed from the start time of care in the care schedule. This helps prevent caregivers from forgetting to perform caregiving duties for designated care recipients.

[0045] Referring to Figure 9, for example, if the care schedule is not modified when the caregiver leaves, as shown in Figure 10, the server 30 may receive unpairing information between the caregiver terminal 10 and the life logger 20 when the caregiver finishes their caregiving duties for the person being cared for and leaves the room after receiving the pairing information. At this time, the server 30 calculates the difference between the time of pairing included in the pairing information and the time of unpairing included in the unpairing information, i.e., the duration of pairing information. This allows the administrator to confirm whether the caregiving duties were performed appropriately by the caregiver by checking the time of pairing and the duration of pairing information.

[0046] When the caregiver terminal 10 receives a warning from the server 30, it may notify the caregiver with either a predetermined alarm or vibration. In this case, the intensity of the alarm sound or vibration may be changed depending on the magnitude of the discrepancy between the start time of care in the care schedule corresponding to the caregiver ID and the care recipient ID and the pairing time included in the pairing information, or the discrepancy between the end time of care and the time when pairing was unpaired included in the unpairing information. For example, if the discrepancy between the start time of care in the care schedule corresponding to the caregiver ID and the care recipient ID and the pairing time included in the pairing information is large, the alarm sound or vibration can be made stronger. This allows the caregiver to quickly grasp any delays in their caregiving work.

[0047] Furthermore, the server 30 may, relatively soon after receiving the unpairing information, re-receive pairing information containing the same caregiver ID and life logger ID as the unpairing information. For example, this may occur when a caregiver goes outside the care recipient's room to retrieve care supplies due to a shortage and then re-enters the same caregiver's room with the supplies. In other words, if the time interval between unpairing and re-pairing is within a predetermined range, caregiving duties for the same care recipient can be continued. In this case, the server 30's end time determination unit 36 ​​may be set to wait for a predetermined time interval, for example 5 minutes, after receiving the unpairing information, without making a determination about the discrepancy between the time pairing was unpaired and the end time of care in the care schedule. Also, in this case, the unpairing information and the re-pairing information within the predetermined time interval may be deleted from the server 30's storage unit 31, or they may be set not to be used for determination by the start time determination unit 34 and the end time determination unit 36.

[0048] Furthermore, the caregiver terminal 10 may also include an abnormal operation detection unit such as an acceleration sensor and an abnormal information transmission unit that transmits abnormal information detected by the abnormal operation detection unit to the server 30. The server 30 may also include an abnormal information receiving unit that receives abnormal information transmitted from the abnormal information transmission unit of the caregiver terminal 10. If the caregiver terminal 10 moves with a predetermined acceleration, for example, if a caregiver hastily supports a person being cared for who has fallen out of bed or tripped, there is a risk that an unforeseen accident may occur to the person being cared for. When the server 30 receives abnormal information from the abnormal information receiving unit, it may notify the caregiver terminal 10 or the administrator terminal 40 of the abnormal information. This allows for more appropriate care of the person being cared for.

[0049] The caregiver terminal 10 can be carried by people other than caregivers, such as family members of the person receiving care or other visitors to the home care facility. This allows administrators to track and manage the location or movement of people other than caregivers within the home care facility.

[0050] Furthermore, after the caregiver terminal 10 and the life logger 20 are paired, it is possible to determine to some extent whether the caregiver is performing such care tasks based on the distance between the caregiver terminal 10 and the life logger 20. For example, if the caregiver is assisting with meals, the distance between the caregiver terminal 10 and the life logger 20 will be relatively close, while if the caregiver is cleaning the resident's room, the distance between the caregiver terminal 10 and the life logger 20 will be relatively far. In this way, by comparing the distance between the caregiver terminal 10 and the life logger 20 with the caregiving content of the care schedule shown in Figure 8, it is possible to determine whether the caregiver is performing care tasks in accordance with the care schedule.

[0051] Although embodiments have been described above, this disclosure is not limited to caregivers and can be used in place of nurse management (schedule management) in facilities such as hospitals. This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible as long as they do not deviate from its spirit. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0052] 1. Care Management System 10 Caregiver terminal 20. Life logger (device for the person receiving care) 30 Server (caregiver management device) 31 Memory unit, 32 Vital data receiving unit, 33 Pairing information receiving unit, 34 Start time determination unit, 35 Pairing cancellation information receiving unit, 36 End time determination unit, 37 Warning transmission unit, 38 Correction information receiving unit, 39 Schedule correction unit

Claims

1. A caregiver management device that can be accessed via a network from a caregiver terminal held by the caregiver and a care recipient terminal placed in the care recipient's room, A storage unit that stores the caregiver's care schedule, a caregiver ID that identifies the caregiver's terminal, and a care recipient ID that identifies the care recipient's terminal, When the caregiver terminal enters a predetermined distance range from the care recipient terminal, the caregiver terminal and the care recipient terminal are paired, and a pairing information receiving unit receives pairing information, including the time of pairing, the caregiver ID of the caregiver terminal, and the care recipient ID of the care recipient terminal, from either the caregiver terminal or the care recipient terminal. A start time determination unit that determines whether the discrepancy between the paired time and the start time of care in the care schedule corresponding to the paired caregiver and care recipient exceeds a predetermined threshold, A warning transmission unit that sends a warning to the caregiver terminal when the discrepancy between the paired time and the care start time exceeds a predetermined threshold, A correction information receiving unit that receives correction information for the care schedule from the caregiver terminal, A caregiver management device comprising: a schedule modification unit that modifies the care schedule based on the aforementioned care schedule modification information; and a caregiver management device.

2. A caregiver management device according to claim 1, When the caregiver terminal moves away from the care recipient terminal within a predetermined distance, the pairing between the caregiver terminal and the care recipient terminal is canceled, and a pairing cancellation information receiving unit receives pairing cancellation information, including the time the pairing was canceled, the caregiver ID of the caregiver terminal, and the care recipient ID of the care recipient terminal, from either the caregiver terminal or the care recipient terminal. The system further includes an end time determination unit that determines whether the discrepancy between the time the pairing was canceled and the end time of care in the care schedule corresponding to the caregiver and care recipient whose pairing was canceled exceeds a predetermined threshold. The warning transmission unit is a caregiver management device that transmits a warning to the caregiver terminal when the discrepancy between the time the pairing was disconnected and the time the care ended exceeds a predetermined threshold.

3. A caregiver management device according to claim 1, The warning transmission unit is a caregiver management device that transmits a warning to the caregiver terminal when the pairing information receiving unit does not receive pairing information within a predetermined time from the start time of care according to the care schedule.

4. A caregiver management device according to claim 1, A caregiver management device further comprising an abnormal information receiving unit that receives abnormal information from the abnormal operation detection unit of the caregiver terminal.

5. A caregiver management device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The aforementioned care recipient terminal is a caregiver management device that is a life logger for acquiring the vital data of the care recipient.

6. A caregiver management method that allows access via a network from a caregiver terminal held by the caregiver and a care recipient terminal placed in the care recipient's room, The steps include storing the caregiver's care schedule, the caregiver ID that identifies the caregiver's terminal, and the care recipient ID that identifies the care recipient's terminal, When the caregiver terminal enters a predetermined distance range from the care recipient terminal, the caregiver terminal and the care recipient terminal are paired, and pairing information including the time of pairing, the caregiver ID of the caregiver terminal, and the care recipient ID of the care recipient terminal is received from either the caregiver terminal or the care recipient terminal. The steps include determining whether the discrepancy between the paired time and the start time of care in the care schedule corresponding to the paired caregiver and care recipient exceeds a predetermined threshold, The steps include sending a warning to the caregiver terminal if the discrepancy between the pairing time and the care start time exceeds a predetermined threshold, The steps include receiving information about the correction of the care schedule from the caregiver terminal, A caregiver management method comprising the step of modifying the care schedule based on the modified care schedule information.

7. A caregiver management program for causing a computer to perform each of the steps described in claim 6.

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