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The voice of Scotland’s vibrant voluntary sector

Published by Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations

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Smart technology predicts falls in sheltered housing

This news post is almost 6 years old
 

Social landlord believes smart technology will save NHS cash

A housing association has become the first social landlord in Scotland to adopt new wearable technology that predicts the risk of falling for sheltered housing residents.

Loreburn, in Dumfries and Galloway, hopes it can help prevent falls and reduce costs to the NHS.

The smart waterproof wristband monitors the wearer's vital health signs 24 hours a day.

With falls currently costing the NHS in Scotland almost half a million pounds a day, the new technology has the potential to save the public purse substantial sums of money by alerting staff, carers and family to intervene to help prevent falls before they happen.

Known as ARMED (Advanced Risk Modelling for Early Detection), the new kit detects early indicators of frailty, such as low grip strength, muscle mass, hydration levels, low heart rate and heart rate variability.

It combines this device with pioneering predictive analytics modelling which uses health and social care data to predict escalating risk of a potential fall and supports active self-management.

Following a successful pilot, Loreburn is now beginning to roll out the preventative technology to residents within sheltered accommodation.

Moira Charters, Loreburn’s head of partnerships, said: “ARMED has huge and exciting potential to enhance the health, wellbeing and independence of our customers and we are delighted to be the first Scottish housing association to make this commitment to the prevention of falls.

“Loreburn’s collaborative and partnership approach to working supports our strategic vision of creating great places to live, and allows us to support our customers to live independently and safely in their own homes for longer.

“Vitally, if ARMED can help our customers avoid unnecessary hospital admissions resulting from falls and the risk of delayed discharge, it will also save money for other parts of the integrated health and social care system in Dumfries and Galloway.”

John Bury, a resident at Loreburn’s Nithsdale Mills sheltered housing development, said: “This new technology is providing us with something that we haven’t got but that’s desperately needed. My wife has dementia and this technology could help keep us living together for longer, and also give our family reassurance.”

Alison Solley, locality manager for Nithsdale at the Dumfries and Galloway Health and Social Care Partnership, added: “Helping people stay in their homes safely is a priority for all involved in health and social care in Nithsdale. Using technology that is simple to use, helps detect frailty early, and has the capability of preventing falls is really exciting for our Nithsdale residents.”