10 benefits of sensor-based supervision in elderly care

10 reasons why you should choose sensor-based supervision in elderly and dementia care.

Care technology is about using technological products and solutions to improve the quality and efficiency of health and care services. It involves utilizing modern technology to help people live a safer, more dignified and more independent life, which also means strengthening the individual's ability to manage themselves in everyday life.

The term care technology is often used in connection with elderly care, and digital supervision is an important part of this innovative technology – regardless of whether you are receiving care in a care home or at home.

– With the demographic challenges facing the healthcare services in the UK, there is already a shortage of qualified care workers to take good enough care of the elderly. The introduction and implementation of care technology and new digital working methods, including digital supervision, are crucial to being able to solve the staffing crisis in healthcare. A digital transformation is necessary in the UK, and it is urgent to get started, says Chief Product Officer Jon Slorer (photo) at Sensio.

He clarifies:

– Care technology is an important and necessary supplement to ensure the best possible quality care, but it is not a substitute for physical care and care workers. With the right systems and regulations in place, this technology has the potential to improve the lives of millions of people and change the way health and care services operate.

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What is digital supervision?

Digital supervision is about monitoring or follow-up using technology and digital solutions; in contrast to physical supervision, where a person is present with the patient or resident. This technology makes it possible to supervise the safety and health of care receivers both in care homes and at home, without being physically present.

There are two main methods of digital supervision; based on sensors or on cameras. These two have significant differences that affect both privacy, areas of use and how the technology is perceived by both patients, residents, relatives and, not least, care workers.

The safety sensor RoomMate

RoomMate is a safety sensor, also called a «multi-sensor», which is used in care homes and in home care in several local authorities in the UK. It is not a camera, but a sensor that «sees» a three-dimensional image of the room via infrared rays or laser rays.

The primary function of RoomMate is digital supervision where the alarm is triggered when the sensor, for example, recognizes that the resident or patient falls, is active in the room, gets out of bed or stays in bed too long. RoomMate is then used for the transmission of anonymized images/greyscale images and/or audio and video to allow care workers to determine whether the resident or patient needs physical help.

– It has been documented that RoomMate provides major benefits in dementia and elderly care compared to traditional nurse call systems. Some of the benefits are increased safety and security, a reduction in the number of falls and faster help for residents and patients, as well as a simpler and more efficient everyday working day for the care workers, says Jon Slorer in Sensio.

Sensor-based supervision in elderly and dementia care has many advantages that make it attractive for both patients, residents, relatives and care workers.

1. Ensures privacy.

Sensor-based supervision is based on infrared rays or laser rays that are emitted from the sensor and «see» a three-dimensional image of the room. The sensor monitors activity and reacts to specific events or to the initiative of an employee and sends anonymized images or video. All activity is logged, and all analysis takes place in the unit itself, and after the inspection has been carried out, images and video are deleted. This safeguards the safety and privacy of the patient or resident, provides predictability and minimizes the feeling of being constantly monitored.

Camera-based surveillance involves the use of cameras to monitor a person using images and/or video. This monitoring can be perceived as more intrusive for privacy, especially if the cameras continuously transmit images and/or sound – especially in sensitive situations. Ethical questions may arise around the use of camera-based surveillance, particularly when it comes to how the recordings are used, who has access to them and how consent is obtained.

2. Increases safety.

The primary function of sensor-based systems such as RoomMate is digital supervision where the alarm is triggered when, for example, the sensor recognizes that the resident or patient falls, is active in the room, gets out of bed or stays in bed too long. The sensor is then used to transmit anonymized images/greyscale images and/or sound to allow care workers to decide whether the patient or resident needs help. This provides benefits such as quieter and safer nights for the care receivers, but also a safer working situation and less stress for the employees.

3. Prevents falls and other injuries.

Sensor-based systems monitor the care receiver’s activity and state of health, such as movement, falls or abnormal behavior. By sending automatic alerts to care staff in the event of deviations, the systems ensure that employees can quickly react to potentially dangerous situations. This is particularly important for people with dementia, who are not always able to notify themselves.

– Sensio offers solutions that include fall alarms and sensors that can detect potentially dangerous situations. The solutions automatically notify the staff, without them having to be present – what is called «passive notification». This allows care workers to intervene before the person falls and prevent injury. The solution will also detect actual falls, so that carers can get to the scene quickly and prevent further damage, says Chief Product Officer Slorer at Sensio.

4. Improves resource management.

Sensor-based supervision makes it possible for care workers to focus on the situations that require action, without the need for continuous monitoring. It provides a more efficient use of resources, frees up time for the employees and provides potential financial gains – among other things by being able to reorganize the employees so that the real need is met. The classic example from care homes that use RoomMate is that digital supervision and the «digital first» working method can help reduce the number of night shifts or free up resources from night to day. The use of digital supervision in the home care contributes to the elderly being able to stay at home for longer, which saves resources by delaying or avoiding the need for a long-term care facility.

5. Facilitator for individual-based care.

Care workers must observe residents and patients and their behavior to detect the need for treatment. They must also have insight into the effect of the treatment. In order to understand patient needs and patient behaviour, the measures and services must be individually adapted, and it can be difficult and time-consuming to get enough observations made to achieve this.

Sensor-based solutions can provide valuable data about a care receiver's movement patterns, sleeping habits and general state of health. One example is RoomMate's «activity overview», which takes advantage of the fact that the sensor can be instructed to save what it «sees» every three seconds. It can graphically visualize RoomMate events on a 24-hour timeline in an easy-to-use report format, which can be used to provide personalized care.

6. Reduces false alarms.

With sensor-based solutions, alarms can be adapted and configured according to individual needs, so that unnecessary alerts and false alarms are avoided. This is a continuous process that provides both individual-based healthcare and helps to ensure that staff respond to the most important incidents and prioritize resources accordingly.

7. Provides discreet supervision.

The sensors used to monitor the elderly and persons with dementia are often small and discreet. In most cases, they are also placed high up on the wall, such as RoomMate. This means that the sensors are not perceived as intrusive by the patients and residents who live in a care home or at home. It gives them a sense of autonomy while being well protected by the technology.

8. Possibilities for flexibility and adaptations.

Sensors can be configured according to individual needs, whether it is about monitoring falls, movement, temperature or doors. This flexibility makes the systems well suited for different types of care situations.

9. Ensures trust between care receivers and care workers.

Sensor-based supervision solutions largely respect the care receivers’ integrity and personal space. The feedback is that the care receivers value this to a great extent, which helps to ensure trust between them and the employees. Increased trust helps to create a safe and supportive atmosphere for the care receivers and a good working environment for the employees.

10. Contributes to good communication with relatives.

Sensor-based systems can give relatives a sense of safety knowing that their loved ones are well looked after. At the same time, they can stay informed and up to date through alerts and reports without invading the care receiver's privacy.

Summary

With the demographic challenges facing the health and care services in the UK in the coming years, the widespread introduction of care technology and the use of digital working methods is crucial to being able to solve the staffing crisis in health care. Sensor-based supervision makes it possible to combine safety with respect for the individual's autonomy and privacy, while at the same time optimizing the use of resources in elderly and dementia care.