My Amego

Prioritising individual needs of dementia care residents

Designed by My Amego Healthcare to assist people with dementia and cognitive impairment, My Amego brings a whole new philosophy of intelligent assistive care. Uniquely, My Amego technology interprets the user's risk and mobility expectation, in relation to their particular living space and changing circumstances.

The My Amego system is centred upon a network of discreetly placed room/common parts sensors, which collect individual movement data of users, as they move through their living environment. The service user is 'connected' to the wireless system by way of a small pendant device, which can be easily and individually programmed by the carer.

Releasing the constraints of care

Working within the strict framework and principles of The Mental Capacity Act, it is determined which aspects of a person's living environment – such as stairs, bathroom and exterior parts – would need to be monitored and in what situations would their carer need to be alerted by an instant paging message. This allows the individual more freedom to do as they please, when they please – without unnecessary interventions from care staff. Naturally, it protects privacy, fosters wellbeing and alleviates some of the entirely passive caregiving tasks.

Supporting effective care management

The My Amego system collects and stores data for viewing on a control monitor in the care establishment. This information is also made available to nominated family by way of protected website access. Going beyond just risk management, My Amego becomes a valuable tool in predictive assessment of movement/non movement patterns – which might lead to future health declines. Clearly, the system also realises a vital, constantly updating statutory record of risk management and wellbeing outcome – in the context of the individual's care plan.

"The problem any dementia care home has is, of course, the inherent dangers in unsupervised mobility of residents", says Ernie Graham, owner of The Priory. "It meant that previously, staff spent a lot of their time physically observing groups of patients, which restricted movement. In effect, the role of staff was being increasingly confined to acting as security guards – rather than fulfilling what they are trained for and genuinely wish to do, that is, focusing on patient care and assistance. We wanted to change this culture and were delighted to find out about the My Amego system."

Ernie Graham - Owner of The Priory

Monitoring sensitive situations

My Amego’s discreet sensoring of environments allows un-assisted movement for care home residents – being tailored to individual capabilities and preferences. The My Amego user wears a pendant, which triggers recognition to a central control when that user enters, or passes through a sensor in the home. It is particularly adept at monitoring sensitive situations. "For instance, toilet regularity of dementia sufferers is a particular concern for us as carers", comments Ernie. "With My Amego, our staff can monitor this situation discreetly, but pro-actively".

Significant benefits to user and carer alike

Ernie is also quick to point out that the primary advantage of using My Amego is not as a cost saving measure, but that the system has the ability to provide significant benefits in supporting productivity of staff and efficient use of resources. My Amego captures movement data 24/7, which can be used to create personalised, quality, detailed and direct feedback on all aspects of the person's care. "Families and advocates of residents are also able to have on-line access to a protected website, where they can observe movement patterns of their loved ones", says Ernie. In addition, My Amego facilitates the adjustment of care plans through analysis reports of the user's activities and is an invaluable tool for care plan inspections – where, for example, full records of residents' overnight monitoring are readily available.