New technology
the pressure on carers and families. Future developments in AI technology from forward thinking businesses, such as Novacare, aim to provide support to employees that will speed up processes and deliver insightful information to managers. Solution software companies are also developing care related technology that will use AI, wearable technology and big data analytics, helping to reduce the need for admin related tasks.
Technology integration
While the use of smart devices increased in popularity in domestic homes in the early 2000s, it wasn’t until more recently that they started to appear in UK care homes. By automating daily tasks, some of the pressure has been alleviated for care givers, in addition to increasing resident wellbeing, while saving both time and money for care homes.
At the core of smart technology are home hubs, which act as the main control panel for managing everything from lighting and heating to playing a resident’s favourite music. The term ‘smart lighting’ encompasses various forms of lighting, from night lights that can be used in residents’ bedrooms to large scale lighting solutions. A care home in Solingen, Germany, has incorporated the use of dynamic smart lighting to support the day to night sleep rhythm of residents. Ralf Paschold, care home manager at SV Group, says: “It is a great gift to be able to make a perceptible improvement to the wellbeing of our residents through light. Moreover, the simulated daylight pattern also has a positive impact on our staff.” The biggest benefit of dynamic lighting was seen in people with dementia whereby regular rest helped them to feel less agitated. Lighting can affect a person’s body clock as different coloured light has varied wavelengths that the human body responds to in different ways. However, certain lighting methods can be used to regulate the body clock.
The cool blue light of the morning kick starts our body clock by promoting a state of alertness, preparing us for the day, while warm yellow colours (representative of dusk), make us feel sleepy. The hormone melatonin, which the brain releases towards the end of the
day, causes us to feel drowsy. A cool blue light in a care home dining room at the end of the day is not conducive to a relaxed and restful evening for residents as white and blue based lights will inhibit the secretion of melatonin, interrupting the body clock and upsetting the usual sleep pattern.
Other technology
Nest and Hive are two examples of the heating technology that is installed in many care homes across the country. Used in both communal areas and individual rooms, care givers are easily able to ensure that areas are heated adequately and temperatures are regulated to ensure both residents and staff are comfortable.
The installation of thermostats in resident’s rooms means that individual needs can be met. As the devices can be locked, smart thermostats provide care professionals with an extra element of control, so any unwanted changes can be avoided.
Smartphones and tablets now offer a lifeline to residents in numerous care
The installation of thermostats in resident’s rooms means that individual needs can be met
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homes across the UK, helping them to keep in touch with loved ones as well as providing entertainment. They are also benefiting employees, who are able to use apps to monitor residents’ health and medical records. Combined, the assessment and evidencing of care via apps means that medical assessments are more accurate and efficient. Wearable technology enables care givers to accurately track residents, without affecting their day to day lives. It can also pick up on potential issues such as disrupted sleep patterns or an increase in the number of trips to the toilet, without care givers having to individually monitor every resident.
Acoustic monitoring
Breakthroughs in acoustic monitoring mean that care givers are notified when a resident is at risk of falling. With sensor monitor sounds in each room, if a sound profile exceeds its set threshold, then an alert is either sent to a central station or to a mobile device to notify care givers. One step ahead of commonplace pressure mats, the alert that employees receive means that falls can be prevented. Acoustic monitoring has already seen great success and is now used by over 250,000 residents in 752 care institutions worldwide. An inspection by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) found that the
www.thecarehomeenvironment.com • March 2020
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