CASE STUDIES
Care Homes
Care Home Residents
In the past care homes residents were used to receiving visits from family and loved ones as often as they liked. They benefited from morale-enhancing visits from local primary schools, football clubs, scouts, cubs and guide groups etc. These visits brought joy to the elderly, bridging the generation gap through group activities such as arts and crafts and by learning about each other’s lives.
With lockdowns and other COVID preventive measures, such visits and group activities have inevitably stopped. The absence of communal activities that used to enhance residents’ mental health and wellbeing has been curtailed, negatively impacting mental and physical health. Research has also showed that inactivity and low level of engagement leads to a loss of physical functions, social isolation, poor behavioural symptoms and, simply, a poorer quality of life.
Our approach
We have dedicated our resources to try to enhance the wellbeing and health of Care Home Residents through technology. We have developed unique solutions that bring residents closer to their loved ones, while stimulating their minds and occupying their time with interactive games. These can also be played with other residents in a fun, safe, and engaging way.
The health of staff and residents is central to our thinking; we have developed facilities to monitor staff and residents for fever using infrared non-contact, non-intrusive technology. This creates a barrier to stop disease entering a care home and enables real-time monitoring of residents to ensure constant peace of mind.
If a visitor or staff member shows a temperature or are not wearing a mask (based on the setting of the system) access to the building is not provided and the facilities manager receives a notification. We can also provide cameras that take multiple temperature readings at the same time for ongoing monitoring of residents whilst they are in common areas of the facility.
Our hardware features a healthcare grade infrared sensor for accuracy within 0.3 degrees Celsius and it is currently successfully used by Care Homes in Britain.
FAQ answered by
Ethna Claridge
Care Home Regional Manager Millard House | Corner House | Corner Lodge
Fever screening feedback
1. Why thermo imaging cameras?
We wanted our residents to feel as safe and secure as possible.
2. How long has the care home been using the system for?
4 months.
3. What do the residents think about the system?
The residents prefer their temperatures being taken from a camera, rather than an infrared gun pointed at them.
4. What do the visitors think about the system?
We are not allowing visitors and not allowed visitors since lockdown.
5. How did you find the installation process and turnaround?
Very professional and quick. Microstrategies trained and installed at the same time and their aftercare is excellent.
6. How does the care home find the operation of the system on a day to day basis?
Very simple and is mainly self managing.
7. How has the system helped the care home so far?
We are monitoring the residents (while they are in the communal areas throughout the day and when I Care Staff arrive for work, if they are displaying symptoms of a fever, they are automatically denied access.
8. Would you recommend Microstrategies for other care homes?
Yes, we have already recommended them.
Christina
Manager Millard House
Wellbeing enhancement feedback
1. How do the residents find the Sensory Table?
They really enjoy interacting with it! They already have favourite games that they play with other residents.
2. What are the main benefits of the Sensory Table for residents?
They get to socialise more and interact with other residents. Compared to playing on their own with a small tablet, the table encourages residents to communicate and take part in games together.
3. How do staff members find the Sensory Table?
A brilliant device of a high quality well received by our residents. It is a good way of introducing residents to a new generation making them feel part of new developments. They interact with the table daily and get really excited. The table is very easy to clean and move on its on caster wheels and can be brought to any lounges within the care home.
4. How do the residents find the Wellbeing Panel?
The wellbeing panel is the star in a room full of residents. Their attention is instantly grabbed by the large size screen and they use it for karaoke parties, YouTube videos, to communicate with their loved ones and to watch films.
5. What are the main benefits of the Wellbeing Panel for residents?
The panel manages to bring residents together and solidifies the sense of community. Using the wireless microphone, they participate in karaoke parties and even move the device on its own wheels to different rooms to watch films and videos. The experience of communicating with their loved ones is enhanced thanks to the large screen size and clear sound through the sound bar.
6. How do staff members find the Wellbeing Panel?
The Wellbeing Panel is a really good product of a high quality that the residents enjoy using daily. When you place it in the lounge, thanks to its large size, it grabs their attention and brings residents together.
We are more than happy to start a conversation and explore ways through which our systems can provide further care home residents wellbeing enhancements.
