Author: Roeland Pelgrims, CEO and co-founder of Nobi
The number of Dutch people who died as a result of falling increased by a staggering 15 percent last year. This is according to new data from the Dutch Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS). The responsible Dutch Cabinet is therefore focusing on fall prevention, but seems to overlook the significant contribution that technology can make to this effort.
Falling is the most common non-natural cause of death
The CBS data speaks for itself. On average, seventeen fatal falling incidents occur in the Netherlands every day. The majority of these fatalities are individuals aged 80 or older. Consequently, death from falling remains by far the most common non-natural cause of death in the Netherlands, followed by suicide and traffic accidents. The increase may be attributed to the trend of older individuals staying at home longer - without making their homes fall-safe from the start - and often being in worse health compared to the past when they eventually move to assisted living facilities. We also observe a similar trend in other Western countries, a consequence of our aging population.
Deaths from accidental falls per 100 000 inhabitants
Source: CBS
Focus on fall prevention
This alarming trend has been ongoing for several years, prompting the responsible Dutch government to include fall prevention in its governing program. By developing personalized risk profiles for vulnerable elderly individuals and offering specialized fall prevention training, the government aims to significantly reduce the number of deaths from falling incidents.
Crucial role of technology
Notably absent from the Dutch plans is the strategic use of technology as a powerful means to prevent falling incidents. However, technological solutions can play an essential role in reducing fall accidents. The rise of Age Tech applications in the assisted living market is unstoppable, and rightly so. With smart detectors and AI-based applications, these innovations can immediately detect falling incidents, provide insights into how the fall occurred, and reduce fall risks. This gives healthcare personnel valuable tools to prevent falling incidents.
Nobi: the smartest lamp in the world
Nobi is a striking example of a technological innovation that is already making a significant difference in assisted living facilities today. Nobi offers a range of three smart design lamps that detect falling incidents and actively contribute to reducing future falls. When a resident in an assisted living facility falls, Nobi immediately sends a notification to the caregiver's mobile device or computer, ensuring prompt assistance.
Furthermore, it also provides valuable visual data from 15 seconds before and after the fall, allowing the cause of the incident to be determined. This information is invaluable for preventing future fall accidents. It's important to note that this data is presented in an abstract manner, ensuring privacy is maintained.
Proactive action
Nobi goes even further by informing caregivers whether a resident is in bed or not. This makes a significant difference when it comes to preventing falls, especially for residents who require extra care and attention. If Nobi alerts them during the night shift that a resident is about to get out of bed, caregivers can provide swift and proactive assistance to prevent potential falling incidents. This forward-thinking approach not only provides peace of mind for residents and caregivers but also eliminates the need for disruptive check-ins on residents who are peacefully sleeping, avoiding unnecessary disturbances. Nobi aims not only to improve sleep and quality of life but also to ensure more time for higher-quality care.
Smart lighting as a preventive measure
Lastly, there is Nobi's automatic lighting. The smart lamp emits soft light every time a resident sits up in bed. This simple action often suffices to reassure a confused resident. If the resident intends to leave the bed, the lighting becomes brighter, making it easy to find the way to the bathroom. This innovation is also a powerful tool to prevent numerous falling incidents.
Automated lighting helps prevent numerous falls
80 procent fewer falling incidents thanks to Nobi
The end result? Recent pilot projects in assisted living facilities have shown that Nobi was able to reduce falling incidents by an impressive 80 percent, equivalent to four-fifths fewer falls. Reducing the number of fatal falling incidents undoubtedly requires a comprehensive approach. However, it is clear that Nobi's smart technology can play a crucial and groundbreaking role in this endeavor.
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