Simple sensors, great results!

1​5 August 2024

In 2023 Herefordshire & Worcestershire ICB announced funding for projects in their boundary with the aim of using advanced technology to prevent and reduce falls.

The Gables Rest Home in Kidderminster applied for funding was selected for the pilot. The property is a 24-bed home led by registered manager Kim Northwood who was interested in seeing how technology could enhance the existing high standard of care provided by her team.

Community Housing TECS support The Gables with their approach to new technology and were invited to provide an appropriate technology solution to the home. The project was led by David Fuente, TECS Projects and Partnerships Manager, from Community Housing who chose to work with the Cascade3d Connected Care system.

Cascade3d was selected due to the flexible nature and range of sensors available which provided a good fit with the requirements of the project.

Cascade3d Connected Care uses small discreet motion sensors with one device being installed in each resident’s bedroom by the team from Community Housing TECS. The motion sensors collected movement data and looked for any excessive activity, especially at night when the residents should be asleep and hopefully not moving around their rooms. For some vulnerable residents the motion sensors were combined with a digital bed sensors to provide an extra layer of insight.

Any excessive movement or lack of time in bed triggered an alert to the overnight staff who could then investigate the situation and hopefully provide any necessary care to the resident concerned. Reports from the staff all logged after receiving an alert include:

“Cascade message alert went off. Checked on resident and she was the wrong way round in her bed with her legs hanging out of the bed. Assisted her to turn round and made her comfortable.”

“Cascade detected movement. Checked and resident was sat on the edge of her bed. Assisted to her chair and turned the TV on.”

“Cascade message alert went off. Checked but he was moving around a lot in bed and generally restless.”

The Cascade3d Connected Care project lasted 7 months. During this time 16 falls were logged. In the previous 7 months before the project 31 falls were logged. The project demonstrated a 48% reduction in the number of falls provided by the care staff but assisted by the sensor technology.

Will Jones, Chief Customer Officer from Cascade3d commented “This project is a great example of companies working in collaboration to enhance the care provision in a residential setting. The actual use of the sensors was very simple and demonstrates that technology enabled care solutions can be very easy, cost-effective and quick to install, whilst still achieving great results”