Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust has launched an innovative home monitoring service designed to improve care for people living with dementia by enabling specialist support through remote, at-home monitoring. The MinderCare service uses a network of sensors installed in patients’ homes to collect data that is reviewed daily by a dedicated clinical team, including doctors, nurses, and dementia specialists. By analysing patterns in daily routines such as movement around the home, sleep quality, and vital signs like heart and respiratory rates, the team can identify early signs of health changes and intervene promptly. This approach aims to improve patient outcomes by enabling more timely medical and care interventions and reducing unnecessary hospital admissions.

The monitoring system includes discreet, non-invasive devices such as door sensors, appliance monitors, motion detectors, and an under-mattress bed mat that tracks sleep disturbances and vital signs. Crucially, the technology does not record sound or video, safeguarding the privacy of users while integrating seamlessly into daily life. Through the Minder platform, a secure digital research system, the collected data is analysed using artificial intelligence to detect trends that may indicate emerging health needs, such as infection or restlessness linked to medication effects. For instance, respiratory and urinary infections—common and potentially serious in older adults with dementia—can be spotted earlier through subtle changes in physiological data, facilitating quicker treatment and recovery.

Developed by researchers at Imperial College London’s UK Dementia Research Institute Centre for Care Research & Technology, led by Professor David Sharp, the MinderCare model has been underpinned by over a decade of NHS research and supported by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Imperial Biomedical Research Centre. The project has also received funding from the medical research charity LifeArc, which aims to translate research advances into patient care. The service operates in partnership with Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and is integrated within the North West London Virtual Hospital’s wider remote monitoring and virtual ward services, offering personalised and continuous support to patients living with dementia in their homes.

The system not only helps patients by potentially extending their independence but also provides reassurance to families and carers through a direct point of contact with specialist clinical teams. Nurse consultant Jo James, who manages the MinderCare service, describes it as life-changing, particularly in bridging gaps in care continuity and offering personalised support that many dementia patients need but often struggle to access. Early responses have been encouraging, with referrals coming from GPs, hospital teams, and community healthcare professionals. Specialist dementia nurse Jan Amade Cassimo notes that the service has already supported over 60 patients and continues to receive daily referrals, highlighting a strong demand for such remote care solutions.

The MinderCare service is part of a broader effort at Imperial College London to pioneer digitally enabled health and social care for dementia, including a unique dementia care “test bed” in collaboration with several NHS trusts, local councils, and technology providers such as Withings and Develco. This initiative is evaluating a variety of innovative technologies—ranging from sensors and home diagnostics to conversational agents—to develop the next generation of dementia care. These technologies, including the Minder platform and its sensor suite, continuously monitor patients’ physical and mental wellbeing, providing proactive, personalised care and enabling early detection of potential problems.

One notable feature of the Minder system is its ability to detect changes in behavioural patterns such as unusual movements or exits from the home, which can signal immediate risks or gradual increases in vulnerability, particularly for individuals living alone. The system also assists in managing medication more effectively by monitoring physiological responses, allowing clinicians to tailor treatments closely to the patient’s needs. Professor Ramin Nilforooshan, Chief Investigator for the Minder study, emphasises the commitment to transforming dementia care through these innovations, which enhance continuity and quality of life for both patients and caregivers.

Overall, this pioneering service exemplifies how integrating advanced technology within comprehensive clinical care can create personalised, scalable solutions for dementia care. With a pilot target of enrolling 100 patients by September 2025, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust is poised to expand the model within North West London, potentially setting a new standard for supportive, home-based dementia care that could be replicated elsewhere.

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Source: Noah Wire Services