CASE KEMI

Executive Director of the Kemi Old People’s Home Foundation, Elsa Keränen has gained a lot of experience with the staff with the functioning of the new social technologies. The Serviced Residence Concept was customised for a 46-place service residence and has been in operation since early summer 2005.

On the basis of experience with using the system, Elsa summarises some of the experiences brought about by the new technology from the perspectives of the customers and carers. Free mobility improves the natural tiring of customers and helps them to fall asleep more easily. The aggressiveness of customers suffering from dementia has reduced and as the system operates in real-time, the carer has time to depart to assist the customer if there have been spells of dizziness or falls, etc. The unnecessary travel of carers has also reduced, which has allowed more time to be invested into actual caring tasks. Furthermore, many false fire alarms have been avoided.

From the carer’s perspective, the system has proven to be easy to use and use is much less time-consuming. Carer stress has significantly reduced thanks to, for instance, increased safety. In addition, taking care of customers is now much more personal. The safety and security of residents has also been improved. Residents are monitored with discretion and without the need for uncomfortable wristbands. Residence can easily contact the carer. The system saves information, so all events may be verified later.

Significant benefits from the perspective of the Foundation are the functionality and dependability of the system, as well as a comprehensive service supplier that may always be contacted for matters concerning the system. Assistance has always been available from the supplier when needed. The annual costs of the system are minimal. The system also allows social savings.

“We have received real assistance in our work, and more importantly, the safety of the senior citizens has improved. We couldn’t live without this system.”