WS Chronicle

By Ryan Gragg

For older adults there’s a common sentiment: there’s no place like home. It is where cherished memories reside, and it’s where they want to spend their golden years. Aging in place – the desire to stay in the comfort of your own home as you get older – is a choice many seniors hold dear. However, it often comes with concerns, especially when it comes to the risk of falls. Falls are a significant hazard for older adults and can lead to injuries that impact their quality of life.

A pioneering innovation that promises to redefine fall safety and the affordability of long-term care has recently been announced. Connected Care®, a comprehensive remote patient monitoring system designed with one primary goal: enhancing the safety and well-being of seniors as they age in place. 

Traditional fall safety measures often required seniors to keep a phone nearby or wear wearable devices, relying on them to act when a fall occurs. While these methods offered some level of reassurance, they also had their limitations. The Connected Care system offers real-time monitoring that doesn’t burden seniors with the responsibility of seeking help during a fall.

Non-intrusive sensors are placed throughout the home that continually scan a room for movement using 4-D motion technology. These sensors employ cutting-edge algorithms and machine learning (AI) to establish a baseline of a person’s typical daily activities and living patterns. Imagine these sensors as vigilant guardians, continuously monitoring and analyzing deviations from this baseline.  It doesn’t require cameras or wearables; instead, it employs discreet and smart technology. If someone experiences a fall or any unusual activity, like skipping meals or going to the bathroom more frequently during the night, the Connected Care springs into action. 

Connected Care’s ability to detect falls immediately, combined with its unobtrusive nature, represent a breakthrough in fall safety. The system is always active and ready to intervene, ensuring immediate assistance when required. It’s like having a watchful companion, silently looking out for your well-being.

The impact of this technology is threefold: Seniors regain their sense of security, knowing that help is within reach; families enjoy peace of mind, confident that their loved ones are protected by an advanced safety system; and qualified care becomes more accessible.

Falls should be managed  as a chronic condition, requiring daily vigilance and preventative measures. Connected Care signifies the initial step in securing fall safety, complemented by a locally managed approach. The ultimate goal is to enable older adults to maintain their cherished independence while staying safe and secure in the comfort of their homes. Additional benefits are that this approach ensures privacy, protects dignity, and preserves budgets through more affordable and targeted care.

Connected Care’s wellness motion sensors gather valuable data on an individual’s routines and habits. Equipped with this information, care plans can be highly personalized and well informed, providing more competent care and offering peace of mind to both the care recipient and their families.

As more people choose to age in place, innovative solutions like Connected Care are lighting the path to a safer and more fulfilling future. By harnessing the power of advanced AI and smart technology, we’re not just redefining fall safety; we’re empowering individuals to enjoy the warmth and familiarity of home with confidence.

Ryan Gragg is the owner of ComForCare Home Care (Winston-Salem), where he leads a team of compassionate professionals providing essential home-based caregiving services, including Alzheimer’s disease and dementia care, personal care, respite care, companion care, telehealth, and 24-hour remote patient monitoring. For more information visit WinstonSalemSeniorCare.com.