The day we open our doors, we will already be leading the state of Kentucky. That’s because we will be the first senior living community in the state to utilize Foresite, a cutting-edge technology used to predict functional decline in residents. Let me repeat: no one else in the state of Kentucky has this technology!
Besides bragging rights, though, there are many more reasons we’re celebrating this partnership with Foresite. According to the company, the product can “accurately predict functional decline—including cognitive and emotional changes, increased fall risks, and imminent pneumonia or urinary tract infection.” That sounds too good to be true in our business, but, in fact, it is true. But how?
First, the technology includes a depth sensor that uses a combination of infrared technologies to capture video. The infrared cameras can produce three-dimensional images. These are HIPAA-compliant and follow all laws regarding privacy. Second, there’s an under the mattress sensor that can communicate with the depth sensor. Finally, the technology incorporates a motion sensor.
The depth sensor measures walking speed, Timed Up and Go (TUG) scores, stride length, stride time. Knowing these measurements can help with fall detection, fall risk assessment, illness and fall prediction, among other uses.
The under the mattress sensor measures heart rate, respiration, and sleep restlessness. These measurements can help predict illnesses and provide exit and fall alerts.
We will only use Foresite with our memory care residents. We will, however, have enough units to install in personal care residences if that is the will of those elderly loved ones’ families.
We know this will be a game-changer for the care we can provide at Homeplace. For example, with falls. Normally, when a resident falls at home, family may not know how it happened, and thus not be able to prevent it again. But with Foresite’s predictive nature, we first may be able to prevent a fall, and if a resident falls, we will be able to know exactly what happened and take necessary steps to keep it from occurring again.
Another positive possibility is reducing infections. Let’s say a resident normally goes to the toilet three times a night but starts to go ten times a night. That’s a clue that something has changed and something might be wrong, such as a urinary tract infection.
What if a resident normally sleeps seven hours each night but starts sleeping only three hours? We’ll be able to see this and we’ll be able to diagnose and make changes, if necessary.
Foresite is just an extra level of information that will help us to better serve our residents. Of course, we’re extremely proud and excited to the be the first senior living community in the state to have Foresite on board. More importantly, however, we’re glad that this technology can help our residents to enjoy a longer, healthier life.
To contact the Homeplace of Henderson, email Jessica Beaven at jessica.beaven@homeplaceofhenderson.com, call at (270) 577-0534, or write to 3104 Green River Road, Henderson, KY 42420.