April 2nd 2025
April is #CelebratingSocialCare month. We’re celebrating by sharing examples of how care providers are using tech to support good care.
Addressing a Growing Concern
When Kingsbury Court, a care home managed by Maria Mallaband Care Group (MMCG), found itself flagged by the NHS for high fall rates, something needed to be done. Care Manager, Jay Trondillo, who joined the service in 2022, found himself stepping into a home undergoing significant changes. Reducing falls was already a priority, but with residents getting older and more vulnerable, finding a new approach became even more pressing.
Late in 2023, the team was approached by the Digitising Social Care Team about Ally’s AI Resident Monitoring system. “We were already working hard to prevent falls, but when this opportunity came up, we saw it as a chance to take things further,” Jay says. While the staff were open to it, there was a bit of hesitation. “They were used to physically checking on residents every hour, sometimes every two hours. Trusting technology to take over that role was a big leap.”
Implementing Ally
Before moving forward, there was a bit of groundwork to be done. First, there were discussions with Ally’s team to assess feasibility, ensure GDPR compliance, and gain approval from various stakeholders. Once everything was in place, Ally’s team carried out an initial survey to ensure the home’s Wi-Fi connectivity and power sources met the system’s needs. The devices were wall-mounted, and staff were trained on how to use the system. “The support from Ally was great. They didn’t just install the system and leave. They made sure we understood how to read the data and adapt our approach,” Jay shared.
At first, the staff was documenting falls across two systems just to compare results. Over time, as they saw Ally’s impact, they fully transitioned to using its reporting system. Jay shared: “We wanted to be absolutely sure it was working before making the switch. The data really spoke for itself,”.
The Results: A Transformative Impact
It didn’t take long to notice some positive changes. Jay tells us:
“Within three to four weeks, we started seeing results. The AI was helping us predict and prevent falls before they happened. Staff stopped doing random checks because they saw the system was reliable.”
As the months passed, the improvements became even more evident. Falls were reduced by 65% overall, and preventable falls among at-risk residents were completely eliminated. Hospital admissions also dropped. “It really freed up staff time, allowing them to focus on the meaningful aspects of care, not just monitoring,” Jay explains. “And the residents started benefiting in ways we didn’t expect.”
One of the biggest surprises was in resident well-being. “A lot of our residents have moderate to advanced dementia. Sleep was a huge issue before. Staff would check on them throughout the night, often disrupting their rest. With Ally, they only received the essential interventions, like repositioning or pad changes. The result? More restful nights, more energy during the day, and better nutrition,” shared Jay.
A Cultural Shift in Care
But the impact wasn’t just about numbers and statistics. The introduction of Ally helped foster a broader cultural shift.
“It’s not just about reducing falls. It’s about using technology to improve the overall quality of care. Our staff became more proactive, our processes more efficient, and our residents more engaged,”.
MMCG, already a leader in digital care, found that Ally’s system fit perfectly into their wider strategy. Jay tells us, “We’ve been ahead of the curve with things like eMAR, and now we’re moving to an alternative digital care record to integrate everything.”
Advice for Other Care Providers
Jay offers some advice to other care homes considering digital solutions, “Take the time to find a system that fits your home’s needs. It’s not one-size-fits-all. And don’t just impose it on your staff. Prepare them, support them, and involve them in the process. If they don’t trust the system, they won’t use it properly.”
Looking back, as an advocate for embracing technology, jay reflects on how it should be used in care. “Technology isn’t here to replace good care. It’s here to enhance it. When used correctly, it makes our jobs easier and improves the lives of the people we care for. That’s the goal, and Ally helped us get there.”
Photo by Centre for Ageing Better on Unsplash
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