Smart technology in elderly care – the floor know when a patient falls

When Hälleborgs home for the elderly opened its doors in Västerås, five years ago, expecting not only a new work space for staff. There was also a new work system in which welfare technology will relieve the pressures of everyday tasks. But also strengthen older people's self-determination.

On each floor are doors unlocked. It is the elderly in need of care or suffer from dementia. The open doors make it possible for older people to move freely between floors, rooms or the fenced-in garden. Usually open the doors a challenge for staff who need to keep track of the residents.

"We thought everyone would run around, and that we would have to look for them, but in fact, I can hardly believe that 120 people live here," says Pamela Palevik, assistant nurse at Hälleborg home for the elderly.

that is placed on each floor. When a person who needs supervision leaves his department alerted the staff in the mobile phone. Only when the needs of searchers during nurses up person. In this way the strengthening of the individual's autonomy, while the staff feels confident with knowing where the person is located.

From left, Sara Backman, Rojin Komby, Pamela Palevik and Caroline Tshiabu. ”It's not about to replace man with new technology, but rather to use staff time where it is actually needed,” says manager Sara Backman. Photo: Adam Daver

As the older population continues to grow, increasing the need for personnel in elderly care. According to the government, need 136.000 new nurses to be hired until 2026. One explanation is that the profession is rarely perceived as attractive or interesting.

To use more welfare technology would be able to attract more employees and streamline work, according to a report from the Agency for higher vocational education (MYH). Including writing to the authority that welfare technology should relieve the pressure on the employees.

– It is not about to replace man with new technology, but rather to use staff time where it is actually needed, " says manager Sara Backman in the Hälleborg home for the elderly.

Caroline Tshiabu shows how she activates the golvsensorerna. Photo: Adam Daver

in Addition to positioneringsfyrar also used a sensorgolv that detects when a person falls. Similarly, a bed alarm, which means that the floor will alert staff when the resident gets up from the bed. So know undersköterskan Caroline Tshiabu when the person has woken up in the morning.

– some forget that they need help to get up, when I get the alarm in the mobile phone, can I hurry in there to help the person before the injury, is ahead of the game, " she says and holds up his mobile device, where she can also närvaromarkera or acknowledge the alarm.

to ensure the safety of the property is every employee had to take a teknikkörkort. Körkoret confirms that the person has adequate skills to handle the technical tools on the site.

In the mobile phone may staff personalised alarm clock. Photo: Adam Daver

A challenge with arbetssystemet is when misunderstanding arises. For example, it happens that the furniture that is moved in the apartment was mistaken for a person who falls on the floor.

– If the person living in the apartment has moved in the furniture, this means that the bed alarm may have ended up under the bed, then we need to move on the bed alarm, " says Caroline Tshiabu.

his Colleague, Rojin Komby do not think that the stress has decreased thanks to technology. However, the testimony she is of a calmer atmosphere in the workplace.

– When I don't have to fit up on the older, completely unnecessarily, they feel themselves more independent, I also think that this type of technology can make care of the elderly a more attractive workplace, " she says.

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