Home with a heart
New-builds are linked to vital medical monitoring – a house that might just save your life
FUTURISTIC ‘Fit Homes’ designed to save lives are being built in the Highlands.
Patients will be referred to live in the state-of-the-art properties – the first of their kind in the UK – by GPs.
The homes are fitted with sensors on the walls, floor, beds, seats and doors to monitor the resident’s wellbeing – and an alarm is triggered if they fall or become unwell.
It is hoped the technology will eventually be able to track weight, heart rate, blood pressure and oxygen levels – acting as an early warning system for heart attacks and strokes.
The first development of 16 Fit Homes in Alness, Ross-shire, is due for completion in October and a further development is due to be built in Nairn next year.
It is hoped the multi-millionpound project, which has the backing of the Scottish Government, will be rolled out in other areas of the country.
The current Fit Home sensors, which use low frequency radio waves and pressure pads, have the capacity to track movement and activity levels – which can be monitored remotely by NHS Highland staff.
The data will be analysed to identify behaviours linked to increased fall risk and predict potential problems. Experts are looking at ways the homes could act as an early warning system for lifethreatening heart attacks and strokes.
The concept was developed by NHS Highland, Robert Gordon University, Albyn Housing Society and ‘eco’ house builder Carbon Dynamic.
Professor Angus Watson, director of research, development and innovation at NHS Highland, said: ‘This project has the potential to make a huge difference to people’s lives and even save lives.
‘If we are able to monitor health and wellbeing issues we can spot red flags and intervene before someone needs to be hospitalised, allowing them to live an independent life for as long as possible.
‘We can also analyse the data, if an individual gives permission, to identify behaviours linked to falls and other conditions.
He added: ‘Over the next few years we are keen to look at ways to expand what the homes can do. There is technology out there and we are looking at ways to feed that data into one black box that will send the data through the NHS firewall to be monitored. It could mean we could predict serious deterioration caused by asthma or heart failure before it is too late.’
Lucy Fraser, head of innovation at Albyn Housing Society, said: ‘Sadly we had a tenant who died in their house and lay undiscovered for a period of time and we want to make sure this does not happen again. We are keen to find ways for our tenants to live independent lives but have access to help if needed – without the need for them to ask. ‘A lot of people don’t want to press alarms as they don’t want to bother others and don’t know who will be at the other end of the line.
‘It is about monitoring physiological changes and changes in behaviour and preventing problems.
‘The data will also help build up an accurate picture of each individual’s health and wellbeing.
‘The Fit Home sensors are as unobtrusive as possible, unlike some of the buzzers and tags currently worn by the elderly.
‘We have an allocation process with the NHS which is based on
‘Monitor health and wellbeing issues’ ‘It means people are not alone and in need’
referrals from health professionals, who will decide who will be best served by the houses.
‘The project has involved a great deal of consultation with tenants to ensure their needs are met.
‘Each individual can choose who has access to their data – be it a family member or friend – so that there is someone who can pop over to check on them if changes are noted.’
She added: ‘People say that technology is going to replace face to face contact but this technology has the potential to increase it – meaning people are not alone and in need – and also allow people to feel connected.’