Tucson assisted living community enhances safety with AI technology

In Tucson, Arizona, residents at the Villa Elegante Tucson Foothills Assisted Living And Memory Care Community are experiencing a technological advancement with the integration of artificial intelligence into their care routines. The facility has introduced a novel system, known as ‘Safely You’, which employs cameras to monitor for any incidents where residents may fall. This initiative aims to improve safety and response times for the elderly, particularly those with mobility issues or cognitive impairments such as dementia.

The use of this technology addresses a significant issue outlined by the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which estimates that more than a quarter of older adults fall each year, with around 41,000 of these incidents resulting in fatalities. The AI-driven ‘Safely You’ system detects falls by scanning the floor specifically for objects other than feet, triggering an automatic alert to the facility’s staff if a fall occurs. The staff’s rapid response, typically within 45 seconds, enhances the care provided to residents.

Joanna Dumdey, an 84-year-old resident of Via Elegante, represents one of the individuals benefiting from this cutting-edge technology. Having moved into the facility equipped with cameras following a previous fall that resulted in a concussion, Dumdey’s daughter, Elizabeth Dumdey-Bartelsen, expresses a sense of relief and gratitude for the additional safety measures. Dumdey, who has been living with dementia, has a history of frequent falls, once a week on average. These incidents are described by her daughter as “stealth falls,” where Dumdey manages to brace herself and mitigate the impact due to her strong core.

Elizabeth acknowledges the camera’s role in providing clarity about her mother’s movements and actions preceding a fall, which aids in understanding and preventing future incidents. The integration of AI technology at Via Elegante has led to tangible benefits, as highlighted by executive director Ira Branson. He notes a decrease in falls and an enhanced ability to offer detailed explanations to emergency services and family members regarding the causes and contexts of falls.

The staff at the facility also take proactive steps to rearrange living spaces to further minimise fall risks. For Dumdey, this has included the installation of a chair cane, a supportive handle affixed to a chair to assist with sitting and standing. Elizabeth believes that without this technology, it would not be possible to expand on the tools that support her mother’s independence.

Overall, the implementation of ‘Safely You’ is not only a technological advancement for the residents of Via Elegante but also functions as a reassurance to families like the Dumdey-Bartelsens. The program represents a converging point of technological innovation and compassionate care, striving to enhance safety and peace of mind within assisted living environments.

Source: Noah Wire Services