A HOUSING association in Dumfries and Galloway has become the first social landlord in Scotland to use pioneering new technology to help prevent falls in its older residents.

Loreburn Housing Association has completed a successful pilot of a system known as ARMED – Advanced Risk Modelling for Early Detection – developed by care management technology company CM2000, and is beginning to roll it out to residents in sheltered accommodation.

The technology involves a wearable device, similar to a fitness wristband, that can detect early indicators of frailty, such as low grip strength, muscle mass, hydration levels, low heart rate and any variability in it.

This is combined with pioneering predictive analytics modelling, developed in partnership with Edinburgh Napier University, which uses health and social care data to predict escalating risk of a potential fall and supports active self-management.

Such falls currently cost NHS Scotland almost £500,000 a day, and the new technology could potentially save the public purse substantial sums of money by alerting staff, carers and family to intervene to help prevent falls before they happen.

It does this by analysing that data collected via a smart waterproof wristband which monitors the wearer’s vital signs 24 hours a day.

Loreburn – which owns and manages more than 2500 homes – hopes that by anticipating issues before they arise, the technology will allow residents to live independently in their own homes for longer, significantly improving their wellbeing and quality of life.

Moira Charters, the association’s head of partnerships and new initiatives, said: “ARMED has huge and exciting potential to enhance the health, wellbeing and independence of our customers and we are delighted to be the first Scottish housing association to make this commitment to the prevention of falls.

“Loreburn’s collaborative and partnership approach to working supports our strategic vision of creating great places to live and allows us to support our customers to live independently and safely in their own homes for longer.

“Vitally, if ARMED can help our customers avoid unnecessary hospital admissions resulting from falls and the risk of delayed discharge, it will also save money for other parts of the integrated health and social care system in Dumfries and Galloway.”

Brian Brown, CM2000’s Scotland director and the driving force behind the development of ARMED, said: “With an ageing population and increased pressure on health and social care resources, it makes sense to invest in preventative technology.

“Loreburn Housing Association is a forward-thinking organisation that has demonstrated an unprecedented commitment to reducing risks and improving quality of life for residents by taking the decision to provide ARMED technology to all its sheltered housing residents.”

Research fellow at Napier, Adrian Smales, said: “By collecting and analysing this data which will detect early signs of frailty, we hope this will lead to much-improved outcomes for Loreburn Housing Association’s sheltered housing residents.”

Residents of Loreburn properties have welcomed the development. John Bury, who lives at the Nithsdale Mills sheltered housing development, said it was desperately needed.

“My wife has dementia and this technology could help keep us living together for longer and also give our family reassurance,” he said.

Alison Solley, the locality manager for Nithsdale at the Dumfries and Galloway Health and Social Care Partnership, added: “Helping people stay in their homes safely is a priority for all involved in health and social care in Nithsdale.

“Using technology that is simple to use, helps detect frailty early, and has the capability of preventing falls is really exciting for our Nithsdale residents.”