Breakthrough in Fall Prevention: Nobi Updates
Birchgrove, the UK’s leading developer of rented retirement homes, has become the first senior living provider in the UK to install Nobi’s AI-driven fall detection smart light, doing so in 356 apartments across six of its communities. Whilst Nobi’s lights are present in the UK care home sector, Birchgrove’s partnership brings Nobi’s lamps to the senior living sector for the very first time.
The light represents a significant technological development for the retirement living space, and by being able to access one of the most innovative technology products on the market, Birchgrove residents and staff will now have peace of mind that assistance is immediately available should a fall occur. The lights also enable Birchgrove, as an independent living provider, to empower its residents to live independently, and in comfort, for as long as possible, without the need to move into a care facility – even when the risk of falling increases.
Falls are the leading cause of hospital admissions. Studies show that 25% of falls result in hospitalisation. In fact, 50% of older adults who remain on the floor for more than an hour after a fall die within six months. Immediate help after a fall is essential, and this is something that has not escaped Hartland House staff.
The risk of elderly falls
Around a third of people aged 65 and over, and around half of all people aged 80 and over, fall at least once a year, with a person aged over 80 falling on average every ten seconds in the UK. As well as being the most significant cause of fatal injury amongst older people and costing the NHS over £2.3b a year, falls also have a considerable impact on people’s confidence and ability to live independently, thereby forcing or accelerating an unwanted move into a care home.
Nobi’s intelligent lights have been designed to address these pain points by detecting when a person falls, and then asking if they are okay. In the event of no response, or a call for help, staff are able to reassure the resident that help is on its way through a speaker and the intelligent light also sends a pre-programmed message to staff who are able to attend immediately.
The lamp therefore eliminates the risk of life-threatening ‘long lies’ where a person falls, typically during the night, and can remain on the floor for an extended period. The light also helps to prevent falls by proactively illuminating the room when a resident sits up or gets out of bed during the night.
Nobi looks like a stylish light that blends seamlessly into any interior. Under Nobi’s lampshade, however, lies a high-tech, life-saving AI universe. The AI model was trained for 6 years by the world’s best AI experts on more than 195,000 real-life situations.
The result is an intelligent light that:
- helps to save lives and prevent falls;
- enables efficient care;
- and gives health professionals insight into the well-being and health of its users.
Nobi’s intelligent lights will be installed across Birchgrove’s six new retirement communities, including the recently opened Ayrton House (Mill Hill), plus a further five under construction: Pepperpot House (Godalming), Hampton Court Estate (Hampton), Christ Church Apartments (Leatherhead), Banstead Place (Banstead) and Chiswick.
“Birchgrove is a future minded company, and we are always looking for innovative ways in which we can improve our residents’ health and wellbeing. Nobi’s brilliant, cutting-edge lamps do just that: by helping to prevent falls and ensuring immediate access and care should one occur. The technology is not just a potential lifesaver but also improves our residents’ independence. Plus, they are discrete and look beautiful too.”
Honor Barratt, Cheif Executive at Birchgrove