/NYTimes%20Foresite%20Feat%20Img-1.png)
When The New York Times published its feature "In Senior Homes, A.I. Technology is Sensing Falls Before They Happen", it brought national attention to a challenge that families know all too well: the serious risk of falls among older adults, and the growing role of thoughtful technology in supporting their independence and safety.
At the center of the story was Kathy, an 81-year-old New Yorker, whose journey illustrates how technology and compassionate care can work together to foster independence and provide peace of mind.
Kathy's Story: Safety Secured and Confidence Regained
Before moving to The Bristal at York Avenue, Kathy had fallen several times near her longtime home on the Upper East Side. Each fall brought disorientation, injury, and a trip to the hospital. After recovering from a stroke, the falls continued, occurring "every four to six weeks" according to her sister Patricia. Kathy and her family were concerned about what might happen next.
And so, in 2023, Kathy moved a few blocks from her longtime Upper East Side residence into The Bristal and opted to embrace Foresite, our AI-powered health monitoring and fall detection system. The change was remarkable. According to Patricia, Kathy experienced only one fall the entire year after moving in. "This system has been a godsend for Kathy," she shared with the Times.
Kathy's experience is a reminder that behind every statistic is a real person whose confidence, dignity, and sense of security matter most.
Beyond Fall Detection: Daily Health Monitoring
While fall prevention was the focus of The Times story, families are increasingly interested in how Foresite supports everyday health and wellness. Indeed, some health markers can signal heightened fall risk. Using discreet, no-touch sensors, the system tracks key indicators such as:
- Heart rate and respiration
- Sleep patterns and nighttime wakefulness
- Gait speed and stride length
- Subtle changes in daily routines or mobility
These measurements are compared to the resident's baseline data using predictive analytics, alerting trained team members to changes that may indicate a health concern, such as orthostatic hypotension, urinary tract infections, or early signs of respiratory illness, often before symptoms are visible. In Kathy's case, this kind of monitoring helps ensure that even subtle changes in her movement or health patterns are addressed proactively, helping her avoid unnecessary hospital visits and maintain independent mobility.
Real Residents, Real Results
The Times noted that in communities using Foresite, falls have declined dramatically, and The Bristal communities have seen the same. Beyond the data, the real value is in the daily experiences of people we care for. This may be someone sleeping more soundly after a medication adjustment, someone regaining stability after a change in blood pressure, someone being treated for a minor infection before it becomes debilitating, or a family member feeling more at ease.
Every alert, every subtle trend captured by Foresite, represents the quiet work of technology providing our team members with actionable insights to deliver personalized, compassionate care.
Technology Enhancing Care
As the Times emphasized, AI-powered systems like Foresite are not meant to replace caregivers -- they empower them. By identifying early indicators that the human eye might miss, Foresite allows our team members to focus on what matters most: forming meaningful relationships, responding thoughtfully to each resident's needs, and providing care grounded in empathy and expertise.
Kathy's experience, and the attention she received from The New York Times, shows how the thoughtful combination of technology and care is shaping a new standard for senior wellness at the intersection of safety, dignity, and independence.
