Sensors give greater peace of mind 

Having the sensors gives families of residents greater peace of mind and is a tool that allows the staff to give even better care. The sensors are non-wearable and do not require the resident to “do” anything:

• Bed sensors fit under the mattress and monitor heart rate, respiratory rate and nighttime bed restlessness, providing a baseline activity profile for each resident. If there is a significant change in the activity, an alert is generated and sent to the clinical care team. Monitoring the blood pressure can provide an early warning to prevent cardiovascular problems. 
• Depth sensors monitor walking and gait, detecting falls and fall risk using Doppler radar and proprietary technology. The care team is alerted when a fall is captured. Participants are assessed monthly for changes in fall risk. The monitors track the gait of an individual and predict health-threatening falls. This new technology can identify an opportunity for residents, family members, and health care providers to improve physical function and better manage illnesses.
• Motion sensors monitor activity in rooms, detecting early signs of illness and decline in function (a person’s ability to walk, do the things one would normally do every day, or be as active as one typically is). Sensors detect how often individuals get up through the night and alert staff to changes in routines. Other sensors in the kitchen and stove indicate changes in routine as well.

For example, if data shows that there is an 80% chance of a resident having a fall within 21 days, we can start physical therapy and do a sweep of the apartment to remove any throw rugs or problematic items. The care staff can advise the physician and the resident as well so they are more aware of the risk. By identifying smaller problems early, we can prevent many big problems.