Tuesday, November 17, 2015

Care homes and new technologies: how to reconcile security and … – Morning Economy

The real challenge for these institutions is to achieve a fair balance by bringing a pleasant and safe living environment with respect for human liberties and personal privacy. The objective is to ensure freedom to come and go of the elderly, while preserving their security and respect. Today, new technologies can give a concrete answer to the problems encountered daily in residential facilities for the elderly.



Fugues, falls, suicides, violence and Alzheimer diseases require constant vigilance the moments

Today, nursing homes face various security issues. Although older people are living there, in principle, free to move, the personal supervisors must demonstrate constant vigilance to protect the residents of many dangers. They face the difficulties of large-age and are particularly at risk of falls, running away or suicide, which represent a risk at all times. Another danger, neurodegenerative diseases associated with aging, such as Alzheimer’s disease, are steadily rising and concern a significant proportion of patients accommodated in these structures.

In France, disease affects nearly one million people and nearly 225 000 new cases are diagnosed each year. Memory loss, aggression, theft and other conflicts are becoming more frequent. To address this issue, institutions establish specialized units and implement human and material resources which must be consistent with the health status of the person admitted. The latest example, we learned a few days ago an octogenarian had violently assaulted another resident centenary … knife!

The physical assaults on staff or between residents require rapid detection and response equally suitable. This is where the new technologies, particularly suitable for residential use care for the elderly, can now support care teams in enhancing the safety and protection of patients. They incorporate the functions of localization and control while maintaining the comfort and mobility of residents, which also reassures families …

A desire to protect … not monitor

The current trend in nursing homes is to fully support every resident, and sometimes, to overprotect to avoid risks. And even if the nursing home quality of service is characterized by human presence of its professional teams, they need to be supported in their daily business with solutions to keep as long as possible the autonomy of residents in the institutions.

The establishment of fixed or mobile communication systems giving caregivers the opportunity to enter into direct contact with the resident seeking aid must allow responsiveness. In case of alarm, the rise of real-time information provides the ability to respond quickly with appropriate and effective responses at any time. It’s the same for fugues and other wanderings, numerous and sometimes tragic, in specialized units in retirement homes. Faced with this complex environment monitoring elderly patients or patients with neurodegenerative diseases who are real risks in the event of unexpected exits of establishments, they must adapt and develop effective solutions.

The medallions Wireless and other connected watches worn by the teams can alert residents when a resident leaves the authorized scope and begins in danger outside the residence. These solutions today are an indispensable support, because it is not admissible in a patient at risk, the fugue was discovered after several hours while the patient may have already suffered or caused damage. If they are not found quickly, the risk can sometimes even be fatal.

These business application solutions and call systems can reduce organizational problems while improving the management of resources and missions. They also perfected the internal communication process of the establishment for the sole purpose of enhancing the comfort and safety of our elders. For alerts when time is short and every minute saved is paramount …

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