AI to support care staff at night
Care homes across Dorset are being offered up to £10,000 to introduce acoustic monitoring systems – tech that supports care staff and ensures residents safety.
Dorset Council and Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole Council are seeking between nine and 22 care homes to take part in the new initiative, which will see a new technology – provided by Ally Cares – placed in residents’ rooms and will pick up on sounds and motion that could indicate potential issues.
Image: Dorset Council.
The tech comes in the form of a WIFI-connected senor and picks up sounds that could indicate a resident trying to get out of bed, choking, coughing or unable to sleep. Anything that is picked up by the sensors will alert staff via their handheld device.
Due to be funded by the Department of Health and Social Care through its Digitising Social Care Programme, the scheme offers multiple benefits. Not only does the programme offer extra safety for residents, but it also takes the pressure off care staff. It’s no secret that social care vacancy rates have hit an all-time high, however with this technology staff focus on immediate needs whilst still being able to keep an eye on other patients during a night shift.
Cllr Steven Robinson, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care at Dorset Council, said: ‘This real time notification will allow staff to respond promptly without the need for intrusive regular night time checks that might disturb residents.
‘It enables staff to focus on addressing immediate needs and it will enable carers to provide more personalised care.’
Cllr David Brown, Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing at BCP Council, added: ‘We are committed to using modern technology to continually improve the services we offer our residents.
‘This is a fantastic opportunity for care homes across the region to benefit from acoustic monitoring system technology, which will support us in providing residents with an even more efficient, effective and tailored care experience, as well as giving extra reassurance to them and their families.’
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