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Harnessing Technology: Addressing Unobserved Care Needs To Elevate Resident Care

Articles, Care Homes, Care Workers, News

As the landscape of resident care evolves, the shift towards resident monitoring type technologies is transforming how care homes ensure resident safety and well-being. At Ally Cares, we’ve understood for some time that the critical element to success is addressing unobserved care needs to be able to obtain a more comprehensive view of a resident’s health to deliver better care outcomes.

Beyond falls prevention: a holistic approach

Falls among older adults is a concern as they can often lead to more serious injuries and loss of independence. However, technology like Ally’s AI Resident Monitoring system, offers benefits that go far beyond falls prevention. 

Using advanced sensors and artificial intelligence, Ally acts like a pair of eyes and ears in the room when no one is around and offers a non-intrusive approach to observing residents, while respecting their privacy and dignity.  Our system continuously monitors residents’ movements and behaviours, detecting subtle changes that may indicate health issues. This proactive approach allows care staff to address potential problems before they escalate, ensuring a safer and more supportive environment.

Nicola Ray, Registered Manager at Oaklands Rest Home has experienced the benefits firsthand:

“I actually worked a night shift and I listened to several calls of one of our ladies who had a bad cough through the night, so we did a covid test and yes it actually picked up a positive covid result. We also had somebody who again was poorly in the night and she actually had a chest infection. So if we hadn’t listened to the Ally recordings, we wouldn’t have picked it up.”

Rich data insights: completing the care picture

Ally’s AI Resident Monitoring system integrates seamlessly with digital care software, providing a wealth of data that offers deep insights into each resident’s health. This integration enables care teams to complete the care picture by understanding the nuances of each resident’s needs. The type of data collected includes:

  1. Activity levels: Tracking daily activity helps identify changes in mobility or energy levels, which could indicate underlying health issues.
  2. Sleep patterns: Monitoring sleep quality and disturbances provides insights into residents’ overall well-being and can highlight if a resident is experiencing discomfort or pain or experiencing broken sleep.
  3. Behavioural changes: Detecting unusual behaviours or deviations from normal routines can signal cognitive decline, emotional distress, or the start of acute infections which if identified quickly can be tackled.

“When we see what’s going on in the night, we can then re-look at the care plan for the night-time and we can write that as person-centred as we can because Ally will allow us to see what is going on in the night, what is normal for somebody, and then what is something that’s occurring that we have to look at.”

Transforming residents’ lives

Leveraging key insights gained from the rich data available is critical to this transformation.  As a result, care teams can personalise care plans to reflect each resident’s unique needs at that time. 

This personalised approach enhances the quality of care and also significantly improves residents’ overall quality of life.  Key benefits include:

  1. Enhanced health monitoring: Early detection of health issues allows for timely intervention, preventing complications and promoting better health outcomes.
  2. Improved quality of life: As residents receive tailored care, it helps to maintain their independence and overall well-being.
  3. Informed decision-making: Care Managers and teams can make data-driven decisions to ensure individual care plans are based on comprehensive and accurate information.

Jay Trondillo, Regional Director, Maria Mallaband Care Group shared his experience:

“We’ve seen firsthand since having the Ally system that the majority of residents now have a more peaceful night than before which gives them more energy in the day and we have learned that this has also helped to improve their nutrition and energy levels as well”

Operational efficiency and peace of mind

By implementing Ally, care homes can make huge improvements to operational efficiencies.  Our system reduces the time staff spend on unnecessary night-time checks and allows them to focus on providing proactive care when it’s needed and to manage other important tasks.

In addition to this, families of residents have peace of mind knowing that their loved ones are being monitored with cutting-edge technology that goes beyond falls prevention, ensuring comprehensive care.

Mia Williams, Head of Care of Oaklands Rest Home details this:

“Interaction with families is really good. We’ve had a recent episode here where somebody did have a fall and we were able to use that and the process for us really helped us to support the family and it actually meant that that family member left their relative with us because they felt secure and safe knowing that that system was in place once they actually experienced what the system can do and then the knowledge that we can gain from that system”

Ally Cares commitment and vision

We’re dedicated to helping care homes achieve better outcomes for residents’ overall health and well-being. Our cutting-edge AI technology is a testament to this boasting impressive stats affirming its efficacy in falls prevention as well as resident well-being. We firmly believe in a holistic approach, where technology complements the compassionate care provided by care teams.

Melanie Dawson, Home Manager at The Lawns stated:

“This kind of technology has been marvellous in enabling our residents to live their very best possible life. It is apparent that these kinds of technologies most importantly improve quality of sleep and not only reduce falls but also decrease subsequent hospital visits. 

The system has released staff time during the night, allowing carers to allocate more time to personalised care and engagement with residents within the home.”

What’s does the future of resident care look like?

Our view is the future of resident care sits firmly in proactive and preventive strategies using the latest technological advancements. We’re proud to be leading this transformation and collating substantial evidence of the incredible impact our solution has and enabling residents to have a better quality of life.

Contact us today and let’s take the next step together in advancing care for residents, ensuring a safer, more secure future for all.

In summary, there’s no denying that working alone can lead to feelings of isolation and increased stress. For lone workers in care homes, knowing there’s a reliable system like Ally’s Resident Monitor supporting their work can significantly boost their confidence and morale whilst also providing reassurance by creating a safer, less stressful, and more rewarding environment for care professionals. Together, we can transform the care experience and ensure that both residents and caregivers thrive.