Introduction:
Compton Lodge, part of Central and Cecil Housing Trust is a 32-resident care home located in Swiss Cottage, London. Catering to individuals over 65, many of whom are living with dementia, Compton Lodge offers 24-hour care. The care home faced challenges maintaining resident safety, particularly at night and especially for those considered “high risk” because of regular falls. Striking the right balance of respecting residents’ privacy and promoting independence where possible was a desired outcome. With funding and support from North Central London Integrated Care Board, Ally’s Resident Monitoring was implemented at Compton Lodge to help tackle the challenges it faced and generate better outcomes for its residents.
Challenges:
Before implementing the Ally system, staff at the care home conducted hourly checks on residents, especially at night, to ensure safety. While these checks were essential, they often disrupted residents’ sleep patterns, particularly for those with dementia, who are highly sensitive to changes in routine and environment. Disturbed sleep can worsen cognitive symptoms and contribute to increased confusion, agitation, and mood swings for people with dementia. By transitioning to the Ally system, staff were able to monitor residents non-intrusively, reducing the need for frequent checks and allowing residents to enjoy uninterrupted sleep, which is crucial for well-being and stability in dementia care.
“The care we provided was probably very structured and task-oriented. With the implementation of Ally, we’ve moved towards more individualised care, focusing on residents’ specific needs.”
Solution:
The introduction of Ally, an AI-powered resident monitoring system has brought about significant changes to Compton Lodge. The system has allowed the care home to tailor night checks based on individual resident needs, rather than sticking to a rigid hourly schedule.
Robert adds:
“Ally gives us a great deal of flexibility at night. Staff are notified if a resident may be getting up, based on voice or movement detection, so they can check in only when truly necessary. It’s a huge improvement over the previous system where checks were done hourly, regardless of the resident’s needs.”
Impact:
Improved Resident Care:
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- Tailored Checks: The flexibility offered by Ally allowed the care team to shift from task-based care to needs-based care. Instead of conducting routine checks, staff now respond to specific alerts, ensuring residents receive timely attention without unnecessary interruptions. This approach has made the care more personalised and aligned with each resident’s needs.
- Enhanced Sleep Quality: By reducing unnecessary disturbances during the night, residents at Compton Lodge have experienced better sleep patterns. By using Ally, resident monitoring is more responsive and ensures that only those residents who need assistance are checked on, allowing others to enjoy uninterrupted rest.
Robert explained:
“The overall sleep patterns of our residents have improved significantly because they’re less disturbed at night. Ally is very reactive, allowing us to let residents rest peacefully if there are no concerns.”
Cultural Shift:
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- The implementation of Ally has fostered a significant cultural shift within Compton Lodge. Previously, care was more task-oriented, with staff following a strict schedule. With Ally, care has become more responsive, focusing on residents’ real-time needs. This shift required staff training and support, which was provided through regular meetings and hands-on training sessions with the Ally team.
- The staff at Compton Lodge now feel more connected and integrated, particularly between day and night shifts. The data and insights provided by Ally have helped bridge the gap between these teams, leading to better overall care coordination.
Robert continues:
“In the past, we were more task-oriented, doing hourly checks by the clock rather than by the resident’s needs. Ally has changed that. Through conversations, one-on-ones, and additional training, we’ve been able to build confidence in the new programme and foster a more responsive approach to care.”
Operational Benefits:
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- Staff Confidence and Retention: With Ally, staff members feel more confident in their ability to monitor and care for residents, particularly during the night. This confidence has contributed to higher staff retention rates, as employees feel more comfortable as it has made their jobs easier and helped to better connect the day and night teams.
- Enhanced Monitoring and Reporting: Ally’s daily reports offer detailed insights into each resident’s night, including sleep patterns and any disturbances. These reports have become an essential tool for the care home manager, enabling proactive management of residents’ health and well-being.
Robert emphasised:
“I’m definitely more confident with Ally on board. It gives me a good insight into what’s happening at night and makes me feel like I’m part of the team, even during the night shifts.”
Family and Resident Trust:
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- Families of residents at Compton Lodge have expressed positive feedback about the Ally system. The reduction in night-time disturbances and the advanced monitoring have reassured families that their loved ones receive high-quality, attentive care. The transparency and communication fostered by Ally have strengthened trust between the care home and families.
- During tours for potential new residents, the presence of Ally is highlighted as a key differentiator, showcasing Compton Lodge’s commitment to innovative and effective care.
Robert added:
“I’m definitely more confident with Ally on board. It gives me a good insight into what’s happening at night and makes me feel like I’m part of the team, even during the night shifts.”
Results and outcomes at Compton Lodge since implementing Ally:
Since the implementation of Ally’s Resident Monitoring System, Compton Lodge has experienced significant improvements in both resident care and operational efficiency:
- 100% elimination of high-risk night-time falls: One of the most striking outcomes is the complete prevention of high-risk night-time falls among residents. This result has provided peace of mind to the care team, reducing anxiety around nighttime incidents and ensuring a safer environment for residents.
“Seeing the number of high-risk night-time falls drop to zero is fantastic. It’s a major relief knowing our most vulnerable residents are safer at night,” said Robert “We were always concerned about the highest-risk residents, so to have eliminated those night-time falls is incredibly positive.”
- 20% fewer disturbing night-time checks: With fewer unnecessary checks, residents now enjoy better, undisturbed sleep, which has enhanced their overall well-being and privacy. This has allowed them to wake more rested and better prepared for their day-to-day activities.
“The reduction in unnecessary checks has made a real difference. Our residents are now getting much better sleep, which is crucial for their well-being,” Robert noted. “Ally allows us to monitor without disturbing them, and the benefits of uninterrupted sleep are clear in how residents are during the day.”
- 20% reduction in checks by staff: The reduction in checks has also resulted in care staff gaining back up to two hours every night. This additional time allows them to focus on more critical care needs, offering higher-quality, personalised care to residents who need it the most.
Robert explained:
“Our staff have gained back two hours each night, which is significant. Instead of rigid, hourly checks, they can now focus more time on the residents who need it most, making care more person-centred. It’s allowed us to be more effective and compassionate in how we deliver care.”
Conclusion:
The implementation of Ally at Compton Lodge has been a transformative experience, revolutionising the way night-time care is delivered. By moving from a rigid, task-based system to a more responsive, needs-based approach, the home has significantly improved both the quality of life for its residents and the efficiency of its care team.
The impact is evident: a 100% elimination of high-risk night-time falls at night, 20% fewer unnecessary night-time checks, and two extra hours of time gained by staff each night to focus on personalised care. This has resulted in improved sleep for residents, better privacy, and greater staff satisfaction.
The feedback from residents, families, and staff underscores the positive changes Ally has brought, making the environment safer, more personalised, and dignified. As Robert, shared: “I’ve been very content with how Ally has worked out in practice. The reduction in checks, fewer night-time falls, and better sleep patterns for residents are just some of the clear benefits we’ve seen. It’s made a real difference in the care we provide.”