Telehealthcare in care homes: the use of falls detectors and bed/chair sensors to enhance the safety and experience of care home residents

Abstract

Introduction: It is estimated that 20% of unscheduled admissions to hospital with hip fracture are from care homes. However, evidence suggests that admissions can be reduced by increasing levels of proactive care to residents. Our aim was to utilise appropriate telehealth-care equipment to reduce the number of falls in residents. Telecare products are not new but the range of telecare equipment available has been extended and is smarter. Telecare products monitor people at risk, improving their safety and helping them to stay independent for longer. The equipment used was a portable telecare local alarm and telecare sensors including falls detectors, chair occupancy sensors and bed occupancy sensors. A fractured hip costs between £15,000 and £25,000, a bed monitor costs around £300.