In residential care, innovation is not just about introducing new technologies—it's about fundamentally transforming the way we understand and meet the needs of our aging population. Healthcare Management Trust (HMT) has taken a giant leap forward in this regard with their project at Coloma Court Care Home, leveraging the power of Andi, an advanced monitoring system developed by 2iC-Care. This initiative is not just changing the game; it's rewriting the rules of what's possible in residential care.
Power of 24/7 Insights in Elderly Care
Traditional care homes face a significant challenge: how to maintain a comprehensive understanding of residents' well-being around the clock. Despite the dedication and attentiveness of care staff, there are inevitably gaps in observation, particularly during nighttime hours or when residents are alone in their rooms. These gaps can lead to missed opportunities for early intervention or failure to recognise subtle changes in a resident's condition.
HMT recognised this challenge and saw an opportunity to innovate. By partnering with 2iC-Care to implement the Andi system at Coloma Court, they've taken a bold step towards addressing this longstanding issue in care homes.
Andi: A Window into Resident Well-being
Andi is more than just a monitoring system—it's an interoperable hub that connects to any type of care peripheral and that provides data about residents' activities, behaviours, and environmental conditions. This 24/7 insight gives care staff an unprecedented view into the daily lives of residents, promoting more informed and proactive discussions with people about their care.
As Jenny Mace, Head of Strategic Business Development at HMT, puts it:
"Technology will help us, enable us to provide care for people and future proof what we do."
This forward-thinking approach demonstrates HMT's commitment to leveraging technology to enhance the quality of care they provide.
Transformative Outcomes at Coloma Court
Early Intervention Through Data-Driven Insights
One of the most striking outcomes of the Andi implementation at Coloma Court has been its ability to flag potential issues before they become serious problems. Out of 26 residents monitored by the system, 5 were identified for clinical reassessment based on changes in their behaviour patterns detected by Andi.
Andy Wilcox, Executive Director of Quality and Clinical Care at HMT, explains the significance of this:
"We're seeing changes in their normal routines. So whilst everyone has different routines throughout their day, and that's absolutely fine, when we see a shift and a change in those routines, it triggers an escalation on our part."
This early warning system has the potential to dramatically improve quality of life and health outcomes for residents by allowing for timely interventions and adjustments to care plans.
Enhancing Operational Efficiency
Beyond individual resident care, the insights provided by Andi are driving operational improvements at Coloma Court. One area that has seen significant focus is quality of sleep. The data has revealed patterns of sleep disturbance that weren't fully apparent before, leading to targeted initiatives to improve residents' sleep quality.
These operational changes, guided by data, have the potential to enhance the overall quality of life for residents and improve the efficiency of care delivery.
The Future of Care: Data-Informed and Person-Centered
Balancing Technology and Human Touch
While the Andi solution provides valuable data, HMT is careful to emphasise that this technology is a tool to enhance, not replace, human care. The data informs care decisions but doesn't dictate them. As Jenny Mace notes:
"Data will always be running alongside our person-centred approach. So data helps inform us and helps promote the conversation. It doesn't dictate what we do."
This balanced approach ensures that the human element of care remains at the forefront, with technology serving as a powerful supporting tool.
Expanding Horizons: What's Next for HMT and Andi?
The success of the Andi implementation at Coloma Court has opened up exciting possibilities for the future. HMT is exploring the potential of expanding the system to more rooms within Coloma Court and possibly to other care homes in their network.
As the project evolves, it's likely to yield even more insights into how technology can be leveraged to improve elderly care. The possibilities are truly exciting—from more personalised care plans to predictive health interventions, the potential applications of this technology are vast.
HMT's project with Andi at Coloma Court represents a significant step forward in the world of elderly care. By providing 24/7 insights, enabling early interventions, and informing care strategies, this initiative is setting a new standard for what's possible in care homes.
We encourage you to delve deeper into this groundbreaking project by reading the full case study and watching the accompanying videos. As we look to the future of elderly care, projects like this light the way, showing us how technology and compassionate care can work hand in hand to ensure the best possible outcomes for our aging population.