In a groundbreaking move, Elder Homes Ltd, a family-run care home group in Edinburgh, has embraced cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) technology to revolutionise the way they care for their residents. Utilising PainChek’s innovative AI-powered facial recognition system, the care homes have implemented a pain monitoring app that interprets subtle facial expressions, ensuring residents’ comfort and well-being.
The PainChek app, employed across both of Elder Homes’ facilities – Cluny Lodge and Chamberlain Care Home since July 2022, uses AI to analyse facial cues through smart devices’ cameras, detecting pain indicators like grimaces and winces. This innovative approach has empowered caregivers to assess pain levels more accurately, especially for residents dealing with cognitive challenges such as Alzheimer’s and dementia. This groundbreaking technology fills a crucial communication gap, allowing residents to express their discomfort effectively.
STV News recently did a piece on this at Cluny Lodge which you can access here.[vc_single_image image=”28663″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center”]Cheryl Henderson, Education and Dementia Coordinator at Elder Homes, has spearheaded the implementation of PainChek, ensuring staff members are proficient in caring for residents diagnosed with dementia. Henderson emphasised, “Using this technology, and other technologies across our homes has been extremely rewarding. We’re excited to see how the use of technology continues to develop and the benefits it can bring to care home residents across Scotland.”[vc_single_image image=”28665″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center”]
Elder Homes Team, Cheryl Henderson is second left
The app’s success has resulted in enhanced pain detection and treatment, leading to reduced reliance on pain medication and more precise treatment plans. Additionally, Elder Homes employs various other cutting-edge technologies, including electronic medication systems and electronic charting, to provide comprehensive and efficient care to their residents.
PainChek, which is currently used in 18 care homes across Scotland, has proven instrumental in the Care Inspectorate’s Quality Improvement Plan. Fifteen more care homes are set to trial this transformative technology. Tandeep Gill, PainChek’s Head of Business Development UK&I, expressed their enthusiasm, stating, “Reaching over three million pain assessments is a real milestone for us – each one brings more objectivity and consistency to evaluating pain, whilst making a difference to care home residents and enhancing their quality of life.
“We’re delighted to see staff at Elder Homes leading the way in adopting PainChek and embracing innovation to improve pain assessment and deliver person-centered care.
“By achieving positive outcomes for care home residents and the care staff involved in the Care Inspectorate trial, we hope to gain the opportunity for a broader government-funded rollout across Scotland.”
Founded in Australia in 2016, PainChek stands as the world’s first regulatory cleared medical device for pain assessment. Elder Homes’ proactive adoption of this technology exemplifies their commitment to providing the best possible care to their residents. The Elder Homes group, including Cluny Lodge and two Morningside care homes, continues to set an exemplary standard in the field, ensuring that the elderly receive the care they deserve.[vc_btn title=”Access the STV Piece on Cluny Lodge here” style=”classic” color=”info” size=”lg” align=”center” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fnews.stv.tv%2Fv%2Fai-app-using-pictures-to-detect-pain-levels-piloted-in-care-homes”][vc_single_image image=”28664″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center”]
