Elmbrook Court care home, situated on Grove Road in Wantage, is pioneering the use of an innovative system that scans residents’ faces to assess their pain levels. This technology aims to enhance the care provided by quickly and accurately identifying discomfort in residents who may struggle to communicate.
Deputy manager Aislinn Mullee highlighted the system’s significance, stating, “No one wants to think their loved one might be in pain. Although our care team members understand our residents very well, this is an amazingly useful addition to their care.”
The system operates by utilizing a smartphone or tablet camera to scan a person’s face. After capturing an image, the system employs AI-driven facial recognition to analyze facial muscle movements that indicate pain and then records the findings.
Rebecca Warman, Elmbrook Court’s general manager, remarked on the impact of incorporating this technology, saying, “Introducing PainChek into Elmbrook Court has been significant to the way in which we now assess and manage pain. This AI-powered tool has enhanced our ability to support residents who have difficulty communicating, enabling our team to deliver timely and person-centred care.”
Resident Elaine Mizel shared her experience, “It was really helpful when I had pain in my leg. It was hard for me to describe how I felt, and it helped the team to recognize my level of pain and get me the appropriate pain relief, and I am now back on my feet.”
In addition to the facial recognition system, the care home is trialling a falls prevention acoustic monitoring system. The aim is to assist the care team in managing residents with mobility challenges and improving their sleep patterns.
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