Using AI to Prevent Falls - Not Just Detect Them

Using artificial intelligence to make resident safety proactive, not reactive

Fall prevention is a critical—and ongoing—challenge for senior living communities. The statistics are sobering: according to the CDC, more than one in four older adults falls each year, and roughly 37% of those falls result in injuries that limit activity or require medical treatment. Among adults aged 65 and older, falls are also the leading cause of injury-related deaths.

At Fellowship Square-Mesa, a Christian not-for-profit senior living community in Mesa, Arizona, these numbers are more than data—they represent real people the staff deeply care about. And that’s why they turned to AI to try something new.

Rethinking Fall Prevention: From Reactive to Proactive

Tawnya Williams-Christensen, ALM, CDP, CADDCT, CDCM, PAC, serves as both Assisted Living Director and Social Services Director at Fellowship Square-Mesa. Over the years, she and her team implemented a wide range of fall prevention measures—quarterly staff training, frequent safety sweeps, hourly assurance checks, wearable RCare devices, and more.

Despite all their efforts, falls remained a persistent challenge.

“We were doing everything we could,” says Williams-Christensen. “But it became a cycle that never ends, with very little improvement or reduction in falls.”

The issue wasn’t just about response time. The team realized they needed to move from fall detection to fall prevention—identifying risks and intervening before incidents occurred.

Enter Paul: AI Technology from Helpany

Fellowship Square-Mesa’s Vice President of Operations, Jon Scott Williams, heard about a new AI-powered technology that might offer a better way. Developed by Helpany, this tool—nicknamed Paul—uses radar-based motion detection (not cameras or audio) to passively monitor residents' movements in their living spaces.

No wearables. No video. Just precise, privacy-preserving motion tracking.

Paul analyzes patterns such as sleep quality, strength of gait, and activity changes. It flags residents at higher risk of falls and alerts staff through a mobile app in real time. This allows caregivers to check in or intervene before a fall occurs.

Community-Wide Implementation, Tailored Approach

In July 2024, Fellowship Square-Mesa began implementing Paul across its assisted living neighborhoods. But they didn’t just install the technology and hope for the best.

“We held focus groups with residents, staff, and families,” explains Williams-Christensen. “We tailored presentations for independent living, memory care, and assisted living residents to address their unique concerns.”

That intentional onboarding paid off. Helpany supported the installation and training process thoroughly. By listening to feedback and easing people into the idea, the team earned residents’ trust.

Remarkable Results

The numbers speak for themselves:

• Before Paul (monthly average): 20 falls
• July 2024 (Paul's first month): 12 falls
• August: 6 falls
• September–November: 4 falls per month
• December: Just 2 falls
• Overnight falls from August to December: Zero

Williams-Christensen credits these outcomes to having real-time insight into resident behavior.

“You can’t manage what you can’t measure,” she says. “Paul gives us daily and weekly reports that help us anticipate who needs extra support. We’re not guessing—we’re acting on data.”

Lessons for Other Communities

For communities considering AI solutions like Paul, Williams-Christensen recommends:

• Start small. Do beta trials in select areas before scaling.
• Partner closely with the technology provider to ensure smooth onboarding.
• Be patient and listen. Tailor your approach to different levels of care and give residents time to get comfortable with the idea.

And most importantly: stay open to innovation.

“This technology is an industry changer,” she says. “It helps us serve our residents more personally, more safely, and more effectively.”

Conclusion

Fall prevention will never be one-size-fits-all, but at Fellowship Square-Mesa, embracing AI technology has brought measurable improvement—and peace of mind. With tools like Helpany’s Paul, senior living communities have the power to move from reacting to falls to preventing them altogether.

Because every step matters.