Integrated Housing Management System
Integrated Housing Management System
Problem Statement
Continuing care sites require efficient systems to ensure resident safety, streamline operations, and improve the quality of care. The foundation has identified several key issues that necessitate digital solutions: 1.1 Call Bell System with Integrated Fall Detection: A core concern for residents is the ability to call for assistance when needed. The current system lacks the sophistication required to adjust to the dynamic staffing model in continuing care, creating inefficiencies in response times. 1.2 Lost Resident Belongings Tracking: Misplacement of essential personal items, such as hearing aids, eyeglasses, and laundry, is a persistent challenge within the facility. These incidents cause distress among residents and staff and lead to increased operational inefficiencies. 1.3 Seasonal Lighting System: Many residents experience disruptions in their sleep cycles and mood changes due to insufficient natural light. This issue is compounded by the architectural limitations of the facility, which restrict the amount of daylight reaching certain areas. 1.4 Visitor Wayfinding System: Visitors often struggle to navigate the facility, frequently asking for directions and experiencing confusion about their intended destinations. This leads to inefficiencies in staff time and impacts the overall visitor experience.
Business Case
-Cost-effective (both upfront and any ongoing costs to sustain the solution) -Integrate into existing workflows -User-friendly; human-centered design; Universal design considerations -Ability to scale and sustain
Goals
1.1. Desired Features: Two-way voice activation to enable direct communication between residents and front-line staff; A system that can distinguish between medical emergencies (e.g., falls) and service requests (e.g., housekeeping); Integration with mobile technology, allowing calls via cell service or Wi-Fi-based solutions; Geo-referencing capabilities to alert staff about a resident’s exact location; Compatibility with a phone-based system that allows customizable reassignment of alerts; Wearable technology that ensures comfort and accessibility without being intrusive; A battery life that minimizes the requirement for charging 1.2. Proposed Solution: A cost-effective tracking mechanism that enables easy identification and retrieval of lost items; RFID or Bluetooth-based technology that provides real-time location tracking; Integration with a centralized system accessible to staff and residents. 1.3. Desired Features: A dynamic lighting system that adapts to seasonal changes, the direction of sunlight, and varying light intensities; Smart lighting that mimics natural daylight to regulate residents’ circadian rhythms; Cost-effective and energy-efficient solutions tailored to the facility’s structural limitations. 1.4. Potential Solutions: A visual navigation system using maps, color-coded pathways, and directional signage; Floor stickers or digital displays that provide easy-to-follow guidance; A digital wayfinding tool that integrates with mobile applications or QR code scanning.
Seeking
- Funding
- Innovation
- Connections/Partnerships
Organization Description
The Brenda Strafford Foundation (BSF) is dedicated to advancing care, wellness, and social impact through a comprehensive range of services including Aging Care & Senior Living, Community Supports for domestic violence, International Healthcare, and Research & Innovation. CLIQ is a centre at the BSF that drives continuous innovation, learning, and quality improvement and forms alliances and crafts innovative solutions that promise far-reaching impact on the future of work, aging, and community support systems, solving challenges from the inside, out.
Criteria for Applicants
An innovator willing to or experienced working with old adults mobility and safety; access to care; support for caregivers; environmental enhancements.