A long-term care home for veterans near Chicago has added new monitoring systems to address resident issues such as wandering and interfering with medical devices.
The portable camera system, which will allow staff members to watch up to 15 residents at a time via a central interface, is indicative of the “hospital room of the future, today,” according to James Doelling, the hospital director for Hines VA, which operates the care facility.
“Military Veterans have unique medical needs that often require continuous monitoring,” Doelling said in a statement. “With this innovation, we continue to provide the latest medical technology and improve our patients’ overall health.”
Hines VA’s community living center includes nursing home and hospice care for veterans. The camera system, AvaSure, has reduced emergencies like falling and self-harm by 50% in long-term care facilities where it is used, according to Hines VA.
Despite some privacy concerns, the use of “granny cam” systems in long-term care have gained traction as a way to keep residents and patients safe, although many administrators have tried to make such tools as unobtrusive as possible. The ability to preempt emergencies helps reduce injuries and rehospitalizations among residents.
The number of older adult veterans is growing rapidly: over the next 10 years, the number of veterans aged more than 75 years will exceed 3 million. The VA has predicted that 80% of senior veterans eventually will need long-term care services, McKnight’s Senior Living reported.
Older adults face special risk for experiencing mild cognitive impairment, brought about by past issues such as traumatic brain injury or post-traumatic stress syndrome, a recent study showed.
One recent innovation designed to help veterans with mental health is a “Virtual Vietnam” program, part of a partnership between the VA and Mynd Immersive, which allows veterans to revisit certain locations without the context of wartime trauma. The first phase of that project started last month.
