Fall detection technology helps Essex County Council eliminate hospital admissions and ‘long lies’

One of the largest single installations of 4D imaging fall detection technology in the
UK has cut fall related hospital admissions and long lies to zero.

In partnership with Essex County Council more than 316 Vayyar Care 4D imaging
sensors have so far been installed across the county in care homes, sheltered
accommodation and in the private homes of people most vulnerable to falls.

Phase one of the installation project, which began in 2023, included the largest
single deployment of its kind in the UK. With 69-bed Colchester residential care
home, Foxburrow Grange, having a total of 138 4D imaging sensors installed
throughout the property to help better monitor its residents and increase the speed of
fall detection.

Care home residents in Colchester from Freda Gunton Lodge and Cheviot Nursing
Home, people living in sheltered accommodation at Crooked Elms in Harwich, and
those living in private homes, have also benefited from the first phase of the fall
detection technology partnership.

Once the project is complete Essex County Council hopes the fall detection
technology will benefit more than 435 people most at risk from falls.

The Council has already seen positive results from the early stages of the project,
with no fall related hospital admissions recorded in the last 12-months by the
properties who have taken part so far.

And there have also been no incidents of residents being grounded following a fall
for an extended period of time, commonly known as a ‘long lie’.

Vayyar Care’s fall detection system uses smart sensors that utilise 4D imaging
technology.

The sensors are installed throughout a property to walls and ceilings to discreetly
monitor a person’s movements via radio frequency waves. The system can detect
even the most subtle signs of a fall, including in pitch darkness and their use
eliminates the need for cameras to be used for monitoring falls.

As the technology automatically raises an alarm when a fall takes place, residents do
not have to press an emergency button, shout for help or pick up the phone. When a
fall happens, the sensors detect it and set into motion an emergency response.

The system is even capable of operating in areas of dense steam, such as the
bathroom where the risk of falls significantly increases.

Councillor John Spence, Cabinet Member for Social Care, Health and Integration at
Essex County Council said: “This scheme is a perfect example of how embracing
technology can positively impact residents receiving care or those most vulnerable.

“This innovative technology will give residents at risk of falls, and their families,
peace of mind. They will know that should a fall occur; help will be on its way without
having to do anything.

“The negative physical and mental health implications of a person being left on the
floor after a fall cannot be understated, which is why this project is so very
important.”

The project is supported by the Care Tech Fund and is part of the Digitising Social
Care.

Falls, and the subsequent health risks associated to long lies, remain one of the
biggest challenges those caring for elderly people face.

Each year it’s estimated that around half of people over 80-years-old will experience
a fall, with 40% of all care home hospital admissions linked to a fall related incident.
Of these, 1 in 10 results in a serious injury. (1)

While a fall can be hugely detrimental to a person’s health and wellbeing, long lies
pose an even bigger risk to the elderly. A study has revealed that 20% of people over
65 who have been admitted to hospital after a fall have been on the ground for an
hour or more. And tragically, half go on to die within six months – even if they were
uninjured by the fall itself. (2)

People who stay on the floor after a fall may also suffer a wider range of
complications, such as dehydration, pressure injuries, muscle and tissue damage,
hypothermia, psychological harm and in some cases long lies can be linked to
fatalities.

James Webb, Director of Sales in the UK for Vayyar Care adds: “The early results
that have been achieved through the project with Essex County Council go to show
the life changing impact 4D imaging technology can play in early fall detection.

“When an elderly person falls, every minute they remain on the floor can have an
impact on their physical and mental health. Speed of response is vital. Our
technology means they, their loved ones and those who are caring from them, can
be confident that the moment a fall happens an alarm is raised, and help is on its
way.”

During phase one of the project with Essex County Council, Vayyar Care’s fall
detection sensors were integrated with a digital fallalert dashboard.

Through the dashboard, fall alerts are fed through to care team handsets, allowing a
fast fall response. Monitoring data is also collected to provide care insights, such as
changes in patterns of behaviour which may indicate a future risk of fall or help to
identify other medical conditions which may impact a person’s balance, such as a
urinary tract infection.

Natasha Corness, TEC Innovation Lead for Adult Social Care at Essex County
Council added: “The information collected from the technology partnership between
Vayyar Care and Anthropos has not only increased the speed of response after a
fall, but it’s also allowing care providers to understand more about falls and what
steps can be put in place to prevent them from reoccurring.

“A great example of how the data is helping to achieve this is in one of our care
homes, staff there have now been able to identify that most resident falls happen in
the morning and in their bedrooms. It’s nuggets of insight like this that help care
teams increase staffing levels during high-risk periods.”

Vayyar Care’s technology is system agnostic and capable of integrating with all
technology partners. During phase two of the project, which is due to commence in
early 2025, Vayyar Care will work in partnership with Alcove.

(1) NHS England and the Health Foundation
(2) Velas et al, 1997

About Vayyar Care Vayyar Care is a leading fall detection and prevention technology
specialist. For over a decade it has created smart solutions using 4D imaging
technology (also known as mmWave radar) to enhance the safety of people and help
them live more independently.

It’s end-to-end AI monitoring service provides care providers visibility of falls and fall
risks, providing a true preventative approach. Vayyar Care technology can operate in
all conditions, including pitch darkness, steam and humidity. It falls monitoring
solution does not use either cameras or microphones – ensuring complete privacy
and dignity for users.