Living Room

• making sure someone is safe and well in their home

Lifestyle monitoring systems are a set of sensors which monitor activity in someone's home and allow trusted others in a different location to see this information through a computer, smartphone or tablet. Alerts can often also be set up to inform the person monitoring if certain activities happen. These systems help people who have difficulty with daily living tasks to be supported by others more effectively and are less intrusive than having cameras in the home that someone else can access. Each system is different and has different sensors which can have a variety of functions: 

• movement sensors - detect when there is movement in the room where the sensor is placed and through having multiple sensors in different rooms can give a picture of how the person is moving around in their home and although it can't tell you what they are doing in the rooms it can give an indication by how long they are in each room. Are they in the bathroom long enough to be getting washed or are they in there longer than normal indicating they may be having difficulty? Are they spending time in the kitchen consistent with time taken to make a drink or a meal? Are they going to bed at night or are they awake during the night? 
• plug sensors - detect when devices that use electricity are being used and how long for. So for example is the person using the microwave? Are they boiling the kettle? is the television turned on?
• door and/or window sensors - these can be used to show if doors or windows are being opened. Depending on the type they can be used on fridge and cupboard doors as well as internal or external doors or windows. Placement of the sensors will depend on what the person has difficulty with and what needs to be monitored
• temperature, air quality and humidity sensors - these can help to monitor conditions in the persons home, is it warm enough? is there damp? have they left the shower running? is there carbon monoxide or smoke? Depending on the type of sensor they will monitor different things.
• sound and light sensors - monitor how much sound or light there is. This can add to information about what the person is doing, are they opening their curtains? are there noises in the kitchen indicating meal preparation.

The sensors give the best picture when used with each other to give a full picture, for example, combining movement in the kitchen with opening of the freezer and use of the microwave can provide reassurance that a meal is being prepared. Combining an external door opening with movement in the hallway can show if the person is having visitors or if they are going out and how long for. They also work best when used by someone who already has knowledge of the person's normal habits and routine, for example, do they normally eat in the dining room, are they going in there after using the kitchen? Some systems can also learn the person's usual routine and then highlight if there is a change to this which can give indication of a deterioration of health or the person's abilities. 
Finding out detailed information about where/ when the person who will use it moves within the home.
Finding out routine and checking if the person who will use it is going into the kitchen or going to bed at night.
There are often apps that family/friends can download and set up specific alerts as well as being alerted if there is a change in routine or a prolonged period of inactivity.
There could be smart plugs included which will show if appliances such as microwave/ kettle are being used and for how long.

You can search 'lifestyle monitoring system' or 'home monitoring system for dementia' on the internet or look at the options on Living Made Easy: Living Made Easy - Movement alarms and monitors

• Increased Independence: Use of these systems can mean that the person is able to do as many tasks as possible themselves and only receive help when they need it, rather than it being provided routinely and decreasing the persons ability by doing too many things for them. The movement sensors pick up on where the person who will use it is in their home and can provide information about how the person is managing at home when they aren't able to provide this information themselves. This can help support the person to stay at home for as long as possible and ensure they get the right amount of support for them and get additional support more quickly when it is needed. 
• Early identification of deterioration: A change to the person's normal routine can indicate that their health or ability is deteriorating. Increased or decreased use of the bathroom might indicate a problem with continence, a possible urine infection or constipation. Increased activity at night might indicate a person with dementia is having difficulty knowing the difference between day and night. 
• Safety: They often come with an app so family or friends can download this with the persons agreement and get alerts if there is a change in routine or the person is inactive for example. This can be reassuring for friends and family and can mean the person gets help quickly when needed. 
• Reduced risk of falls: By using the sensors to identify if someone is moving around regularly or is using the kitchen to access food and drink it can mean that reminders and support can be provided more accurately making sure the person's strength and health is better and reducing the risk of them falling. They can also be used to check where in the house the person is before phoning them on a landline to ensure that the call takes place when the person is near the telephone so they don't have to rush to get there reducing the risk of a fall. 
• Non-Intrusive: Lifestyle monitoring systems typically use discreet movement sensors (and or smart plugs) so no pictures or video recordings are collected which is less intrusive than a camera.   

• Function: There are often kits which have a set number and type of sensors in. Think about the purpose and how many sensors and what type are required. How big is the person's house, how many rooms need to be monitored? What are the things they have difficulty with or the risks that need to be monitored?
• Ease of use: How easy is the kit to set up, do the sensors have stands or sticky pads to put them up or do they need to be fitted with screws? Most are designed to be easy to install but it's best to check. How easy is it to link the sensors and set up the computer programme or app and is there any support with this from the company who provide it?
• Suitability: Does the system require Wi-Fi, if the person doesn't have this, is there a version with a SIM card? is it easy to set up? Is the app compatible with the device it will be used on? 
• Monitoring and response: these systems work best when another person monitors them either through checking the system regularly at set times throughout the day or through checking when an alert is received. Think about who is going to monitor the sensors and who will provide support or check on the person if the system indicates that the person isn't completing daily living tasks or has stopped moving around. 
• Pets and other people: Other people living in the home can make it difficult to determine who is moving around or doing tasks within the home, these sensor kits work best when someone lives alone. Pets that move around the home can also trigger the sensors, placement of the sensors needs to be considered to try and reduce this if the person has pets. For example if there is a dog placing the sensors higher up so that they pick up movement above the height of the dog. 
• Privacy: Use of sensors within someone's home and these being monitored by other people does reduce the person's privacy which needs to be carefully considered. Does the person agree to this? If they aren't able to make a decision about this themself is it in their best interests? is using sensors justified due to the level of risk and if so is it less restrictive of their privacy than other options?
• Cost and value for money: Consider up front costs and any ongoing subscription costs. What is the customer service support like and is there a warranty or trial period?

https://livingmadeeasy.org.uk/category/at-home/alerts-alarms-and-monitoring-systems/movement-alarms-and-monitors