Apr 13, 2023

BEST CARE Project: Leveraging Innovative Sensor Technology for Aged Care A consortium of partners, including CSIRO and aged care industry stakeholders, has been awarded a grant from Aged Care Research and Industry Innovation Australia (ARIIA) valued at almost AU$ 400,000. The grant will support a feasibility study that aims to evaluate the potential of a sensor technology platform combined with data analytics for fall prevention in residential aged care. According to the Consulting Clinical Research Director of one of the industry partners, the incidence of falls in residential aged care is alarmingly high, and further research is needed to ensure quality and safe care. The ARIIA funding will be utilised to launch the BEST CARE Project, a promising initiative aimed at enhancing the early detection of functional changes and designing personalised care plans for older individuals in residential aged care. This project presents a valuable opportunity to leverage innovative technologies for timely support and adapt care as the needs of older adults evolve. The aged care workforce is facing significant challenges, and the potential of this technology to assist is substantial. The initial focus of implementation will be on addressing barriers and making the adoption process seamless to ensure ease of use. The BEST CARE Project aims to assess the viability of Talius, a cutting-edge sensor platform, in the context of residential aged care, marking a pioneering endeavour in the field. The platform being evaluated in the BEST CARE Project features an algorithm that was originally developed and tested by CSIRO in their Dementia and Aged Care Services trial, utilising the Smarter Safer Homes platform in an in-home care setting. The Principal Research Scientist at CSIRO’s Australian e-Health Research Centre highlighted that the utilisation of CSIRO’s monitored smart technologies for home care has shown positive impacts on the social care-related quality of life for older adults with Home Care Packages. Leveraging similar sensors and consolidating the data into the platform for fall prevention in residential aged care is a logical progression, building upon the success of utilising monitored smart technologies in home care settings. The platform employs a combination of strategically placed sensors within the residential aged care facility, customised settings to assess individual fall risks, and data analysis to identify potential fall-related factors. The study will assess the acceptability of these autonomous sensors and the utilisation of an individual’s ‘sensor story’ to provide insights into the well-being of residents their families and care staff. Additionally, the research will investigate any barriers to adoption and assess the impact of this technology on the operational aspects of the organisation. As one of the pioneering aged care providers in Australia, one of the partners in the consortium has already introduced the platform to enhance resident safety and support staff in delivering high-quality care. This innovative approach reflects their commitment to leveraging advanced technologies to improve the well-being of residents and enhance the care delivery process. The platform represents a ground-breaking innovation as the first of its kind to integrate data from diverse sensors, providing real-time information about residents’ care needs to mobile devices and healthcare dashboards used within the service. The cutting-edge technology, leveraging the Internet of Things (IoT), enables reliable monitoring and alerting of staff to changes in an older person’s health status. Talius is sensor-agnostic, allowing seamless integration of data from various sensors into its platform. For this study, a total of 967 sensors from six different types will be installed throughout the residential aged care home, enabling comprehensive data collection for analysis and evaluation. The platform empowers care providers with valuable information that informs care decisions and offers up-to-date insights into the changing needs of residents. This enables proactive and tailored care interventions, ensuring that residents receive the appropriate level of care and support based on their evolving health and well-being status.