At Assisted Living Locators Los Angeles, fall prevention is one of the top concerns we frequently hear from our clients. In this blog, we look at three senior living communities that are addressing falls in innovative ways, focusing particularly on residents with Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s or other forms of memory decline.
Falling and dementia are closely linked, creating a two-way relationship. Cognitive decline can increase the likelihood of falls, and the trauma from falls may accelerate the progression of dementia. Seniors getting out of bed at night or getting out of a chair without assistance, forgetting to use their walkers, trying to take showers, or performing other bathroom functions without help – these are common explanations we hear about why someone’s loved one is falling.
Other factors that contribute to the increased risk of a senior fall include:
- Age-Related Physical Changes: Decreased muscle strength, balance, coordination, and flexibility can contribute to falls. Vision and hearing impairments also play a role.
- Chronic Health Conditions: Conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, and Parkinson’s disease can increase the risk of falling.
- Medication Side Effects: Some medications, including those for blood pressure, sleep disorders, and mental health conditions, can cause dizziness, drowsiness, or low blood pressure, leading to falls.
- Environmental Hazards: Poor lighting, loose rugs, cluttered walkways, slippery surfaces, and lack of handrails can create a dangerous environment.
- Footwear: Ill-fitting or inappropriate shoes can contribute to instability and falls.
- Lifestyle Factors: Lack of physical activity can lead to weaker muscles and poorer balance. Rushing or multitasking can also increase the likelihood of falls.
Here’s the hard truth we’ve come to understand after a decade of working with clients: preventing all falls is impossible. Even with full-time private caregivers, falls can happen in a brief moment when a caregiver looks away. The key issue is detection: promptly recognizing when a fall occurs and addressing what happens next.
Many residents in senior living communities in Los Angeles reside in private rooms or apartments, which cater to their need for privacy and space. However, this raises concerns about detecting falls. Most assisted living facilities depend on pendants and pull cords, which are effective if the resident has the cognitive ability to use them. Unfortunately, these devices are ineffective for individuals with cognitive impairments.
In Los Angeles, three senior living communities are experimenting with new and innovative ways to detect and respond to falls.
Vigil Monitoring System – Welbrook Senior Living, Santa Monica, CA
The Vigil System was designed by caregivers specifically to aid in the care of residents who might be prone to falls and suffer from dementia. Residents suffering from dementia can have difficulties utilizing a traditional nurse call system and will often forget what a call button (or pull cord) is for. The Vigil System uses passive sensors to monitor the movement of individuals while in their apartments and gathers information about a resident’s activities to alert caregivers when these activities are outside of their normal or safe behavior patterns.
The Vigil Monitoring System is a comprehensive solution designed to enhance the safety and independence of seniors, particularly those with memory impairments or dementia. Here are some key features and benefits:
- Passive Monitoring: Uses motion sensors placed in key areas like bedrooms and bathrooms to monitor activity without the need for wearable devices.
- Alert System: Provides real-time alerts to caregivers if unusual or potentially dangerous behavior is detected, such as a resident leaving their bed or wandering at odd hours.
- Data Collection: Tracks patterns over time, allowing caregivers to identify changes in behavior that might indicate health issues or the need for additional care.
- Privacy Respect: Designed to maintain residents’ privacy by avoiding intrusive measures like cameras. The focus is on ensuring safety while respecting personal dignity.
- Easy Integration: Can be integrated with existing care systems and is customizable to meet the specific needs of the community or individual residents.
Augi Monitoring System – The Variel, Woodland Hills, CA
The AUGi Monitoring System is an advanced AI-driven solution designed to enhance safety and care for seniors, especially those in memory care. The technology isn’t just about detecting falls; it’s about providing proactive care. By monitoring daily activity patterns, it can identify potential health concerns early on and tailor care plans to your loved one’s individual needs. Here are some key features and benefits:
- AI Monitoring: Uses artificial intelligence to analyze patterns, detect anomalies, and anticipate needs.
- Early Fall Detection: Predicts instability and potential falls, allowing caregivers to intervene before accidents occur.
- 24/7 Monitoring: Provides continuous surveillance without compromising residents’ privacy.
- Real-Time Alerts: Sends immediate notifications to caregivers via alarms and a mobile app when unusual activity is detected.
- Data-Driven Care: Collects and analyzes data to inform care plans and improve overall care quality
Safely You – Belmont Encino, Encino, CA
The SafelyYou Monitoring System is an advanced AI-driven solution designed to enhance the safety and care of seniors, and is used for memory care residents as well as those in the Circle of Friends program that require enhanced interventions for reducing falls. The Safely You system consists of wall-mounted cameras and sophisticated artificial intelligence that detects falls and notifies clinical staff. They can then see how the fall occurred, prevent unnecessary ER visits and work to eliminate potential risk factors that contribute to resident falls. Here are some key features and benefits:
- AI Fall Detection: Uses artificial intelligence to detect falls and analyze how they occur.
- Video Recording: Wall-mounted cameras in residents’ bedrooms record only when a fall is detected, ensuring privacy.
- Real-Time Alerts: Notifies caregivers immediately via work phones or nurse call systems when a fall is detected.
- Fall Assessment: Enables caregivers to review video footage and assess how falls happened to prevent future incidents.
- HIPAA Compliance: Ensures all data and video recordings are securely stored and accessed only by authorized personnel
These three examples are just some of the innovative ways Los Angeles area communities are addressing the common issue of falls in seniors. While it’s impossible to prevent all falls, early detection – and response – can greatly impact recovery time and lasting effects of an accident. Technology is helping us do that. Assisted Living Locators LA works with the most cutting-edge facilities in the area to find the care that best fits your loved ones needs. Call us today at 310-853-8282 to begin your free, custom evaluation.
About Assisted Living Locators
Since 2003, thousands of families have been helped by Assisted Living Locators, one of the nation’s leading free senior living placement services. The Los Angeles office is operated by Sarah Ordover, owner of Assisted Living Locators Los Angeles. Her team services clients from Glendale and Burbank to Santa Monica, including West Hollywood, Century City, Westwood, and everything in between. The office also represents clients looking for senior living south of Ventura Boulevard in the San Fernando Valley in neighborhoods such as Sherman Oaks, Encino, and Studio City. The Los Angeles office can be reached at assistedlivinglocators.com/contact-us.
