Artificial Intelligence (AI) is making a significant impact in assisted living facilities across Arizona. FOX 10’s Steve Nielsen reports on how this technology is helping to protect residents from falls.
In various assisted living facilities throughout Arizona, an AI-powered device is being used to keep residents safe. This innovative technology combines AI and radar to alert staff when residents are at risk of falling. Officials at these facilities have reported a substantial reduction in falls since implementing the device.
How the Technology Works
The technology, affectionately referred to as ‘Paul’ at Fellowship Square in Mesa, resembles a smoke detector and is installed in every room of the building. Within just a few months of its installation, ‘Paul’ has made a significant difference in the lives of hundreds of residents. Foster Vance, a resident at Fellowship Square, shared that ‘Paul’ gives him peace of mind, especially after losing his wife earlier this year.
“Our bones are fragile, and falling and breaking can be catastrophic. Someone is just one step away from not being able to return to their comfortable living situation,” Vance explained. “I recently lost my wife in February, so my balance and having someone in the apartment disappeared. I haven’t fallen in a year and a half, and I do not want to fall.”
The Impact of ‘Paul’
‘Paul’ uses AI to monitor residents’ movements and alerts staff to any unusual activity. “Anytime a person starts to move, it will vibrate to the caregiver app, telling the caregiver that person is moving,” said Tawnya Williams-Christensen with Fellowship Square Mesa.
The results have been impressive. Before ‘Paul’ was installed, Fellowship Square Mesa averaged 20 falls per month. In the first month after installation, falls dropped to 12, and by August, they had decreased to six, with zero overnight falls recorded for the first time. Overall, the facility has seen a 70% decrease in falls.
Sandro Cilurzo, founder of Helpany, the company that created ‘Paul,’ emphasized that the technology uses radar to detect movement while protecting residents’ privacy. “Speed of walking, gait, all those indicators are leveraged,” Cilurzo explained. The company plans to expand this technology to homes in the future.
The reduction in falls not only improves residents’ quality of life but also optimizes resource allocation within the facility. “If we can reduce falls, then all those people can focus on other important jobs that day,” Williams-Christensen noted.
This innovative use of AI in assisted living facilities is a testament to how technology can enhance care and safety for vulnerable populations.
