Challenge
The challenge posed by DomusVi (Geravi, SAU) is entitled: “How can we improve the prediction and prevention of falls in care homes with a technically and economically sustainable solution aimed at scalability?”
Background
Whether they live at home or in residential care, one of the most significant risks to the health and well-being of older people are falls. People in residential centres are mostly frail and with varying levels of dependency, which makes them a particularly vulnerable group. Not only is the risk of falls higher in this group of people but suffering a fall can have a major impact on the physical and psychological health of a resident.
DomusVi provides specialised care for older people and people with disabilities and mental health care to 37,000 people in almost 200 centres. It also provides support at home to 109,000 people through its specialised home care units (home help and telecare service). DomusVi has worked and continues to work on different ways to reduce falls and the associated risks. In addition, they have their own platform for residential centre management (RCM), including the management of social and health interventions, as well as the socio-health records and case histories of residents. This platform stores data such as:
- Assessment scales (proprietary and standardised): health, cognitive, psychosocial, mobility, etc.
- History of vital sign readings (pulse, blood pressure, weight, temperature, blood oxygen, etc.).
- Reports from social and health care professionals (social work, medicine, nursing, therapists, etc.).
- Diagnoses and care plans.
- Medication.
- Records of major events (falls, ulcers, blood tests, etc.).
After the assessment, individual care plans are drawn up, which in certain cases include therapeutic activities aimed at reducing the risk of falls.
Furthermore, technological solutions that use sensors have been implemented to detect falls and to be able to react as quickly as possible, such as bracelets with fall detection, movement sensors, pressure sensors, etc. DomusVi works with a variety of models and manufacturers, as these sensors are integrated into the call systems used by the centres, which are equally as diverse.
They also carry out preventive actions such as therapy and exercises to reduce risks, depending on the assessments carried out on the residents. However, even with the implementation of the measures discussed above, there is still room for improvement in fall prevention/prediction. The solutions implemented so far, while proving very useful, have some limitations. Therapies are preventive and scalable measures, but we need to identify the individuals at risk to get the most out of these measures. Identifying a fall risk is not always easy as it can depend on many factors.
In terms of technology, fall detection wristbands are reactive tools, allowing for faster reaction times, minimising the consequences of falls and subsequent recovery. In-room sensors do allow for risk detection before a fall occurs, but have limitations in terms of both effectiveness and scalability (more effective solutions have very high costs).
For these reasons, we want to go a step further in predicting and preventing falls in care homes.
1. Description of the challenge (PDF)
2. Terms and conditions (PDF)