Milestone Systems: Smart solutions for safer care

Brian Jankowski, Key Account Manager, Healthcare, Milestone Systems explores how open video management software and AI are transforming nursing home operations.

Today’s large, aging US population is driving an unprecedented demand for long-term care at a time when chronic staffing shortages are straining nursing home operations across the country.

Limited IT resources at many nursing homes make technology adoption challenging and ongoing industry consolidation creates complex multi-site management demands that would overwhelm traditional approaches.

Yet innovative long-term care providers are discovering that open video management software (VMS) combined with AI offers a practical solution to improve safety, efficiency and oversight without compromising the dignity and privacy that residents deserve.

Open VMS platforms serve as central hubs that integrate data from cameras, sensors, access control systems and other smart devices, creating a comprehensive view of facility operations that supports better decision-making and faster response times.

These systems focus on common areas and use privacy-respecting technologies that enhance care delivery while supporting overwhelmed staff members who need every advantage they can get.

Real-world applications proving their worth

Long-term care facilities operate in a unique environment where traditional technology deployment often falls short.

Many facilities lack dedicated IT staff, making complex system maintenance problematic. When you add the industry’s ongoing consolidation with larger operators managing multiple facilities across regions, the need for scalable, easy-to-manage solutions becomes critical.

Fall detection and rapid response

• Falls represent one of the most significant safety risks in nursing homes, with costs ranging from thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars per incident
• AI-enabled video analytics can detect falls in common areas in real time, immediately alerting staff to respond
• Unlike basic motion detection, AI can distinguish between normal activities and genuine emergencies, reducing false alarms while ensuring real incidents get immediate attention during critical overnight hours when staffing is minimal

Resident safety and wandering prevention:

• Patient elopement poses serious risks when residents with cognitive impairments wander into unsafe areas. VMS systems establish virtual perimeters around exits and restricted zones, triggering alerts when residents approach these boundaries
• Integration with Real-Time Location Systems (RTLS) adds another layer of protection by tracking resident movement throughout the facility, particularly valuable in memory care units where residents may become confused about their surroundings

Staff safety and duress response:

• Healthcare workers face unique safety challenges, especially in behavioral health units where patients may become agitated or aggressive
• Open VMS platforms integrate with staff duress systems, allowing caregivers to discreetly call for help when needed
• When activated, the system automatically displays video from nearby cameras, giving security personnel immediate visual confirmation of the situation rather than relying solely on radio communications

Real-time location systems integration:

• One of the most promising developments in nursing home technology involves integrating RTLS with video management platforms
• At many facilities, residents and staff wear small badges or wristbands that track their location throughout the facility in real time
• When someone needs help, whether it’s a resident approaching a restricted area or a staff member pressing a duress button during a difficult situation, the system doesn’t just show a dot on a map. Instead, it automatically activates nearby cameras to provide visual confirmation of what’s happening
• This integration transforms abstract location data into actionable intelligence, giving administrators the complete picture they need to respond appropriately
• While not all VMS providers offer these integrations, leading platforms already maintain partnerships with major RTLS providers, supporting comprehensive use cases including staff duress, asset tracking and traditional location monitoring

After-hours security and monitoring:

• Nursing homes operate around the clock but often with reduced staffing during nights and weekends. Smart analytics can distinguish between authorized and unauthorized activities, alerting security to potential issues while filtering out routine activities
• AI can identify unusual behavior patterns, such as someone accessing medication storage areas outside normal hours, helping prevent theft and ensure compliance with medication management protocols

Privacy-conscious technology solutions

The nursing home environment requires careful attention to privacy concerns, with many facilities prohibiting cameras in resident rooms and families expressing legitimate concerns about privacy violations.

Video management technology addresses these challenges through several innovative approaches that maintain safety without compromising dignity.

Multi-sensor devices combine audio detection, motion sensing and environmental monitoring without capturing identifiable video.

These systems can detect distress calls, unusual sounds or prolonged periods of inactivity while maintaining privacy.

Advanced audio analytics can recognize specific keywords or sounds that indicate someone needs help, triggering appropriate responses without compromising resident dignity.

When cameras are necessary, privacy masking technology can blur or block out sensitive areas while maintaining monitoring capabilities in appropriate zones.

Some systems use stick-figure representations that show movement patterns without revealing personal details, allowing facilities to monitor for safety concerns while addressing privacy requirements that families and residents rightfully expect.

Strategic benefits and operational efficiency

Hybrid systems that combine on-premises infrastructure with cloud-based management offer the best of both worlds: local control with remote oversight capabilities.

This approach allows regional leadership to monitor operations across multiple locations while maintaining the reliability of local systems that nursing home operators need.

Cloud integration enables predictable, subscription-based pricing that fits nursing home budgets better than large capital expenditures.

Automatic updates, cybersecurity protections and remote troubleshooting reduce the burden on limited IT resources while providing the scalability that multi-site operators require.

Regional managers can access systems from anywhere, providing oversight and support without requiring costly on-site visits.

Centralized monitoring capabilities allow multi-site operators to observe daily operations across multiple facilities, ensuring consistency in care delivery and identifying areas for improvement.

The comprehensive data generated by these systems supports evidence-based decision-making for scheduling, resource allocation and continuous improvement initiatives that directly impact the quality of care residents receive.

Healthcare facilities face complex regulatory requirements and potential liability issues that can be overwhelming for administrators.

VMS systems provide documentation that supports accurate incident reporting and demonstrates compliance with safety protocols.

When incidents do occur, comprehensive record-keeping capabilities help facilities conduct thorough investigations and identify prevention strategies, taking a proactive approach to risk management that can significantly reduce liability exposure over time.

Families choosing nursing home care want assurance that facilities take safety seriously. While respecting privacy requirements, facilities can highlight their use of advanced monitoring technologies as evidence of their commitment to resident wellbeing.

This transparency helps build trust and can be a differentiating factor in an increasingly competitive market where families have more choices than ever before.

An open-platform VMS approach proves particularly valuable during facility acquisitions, a common occurrence in the consolidating long-term care industry.

Rather than requiring costly hardware replacements, open platforms can integrate existing camera equipment and security infrastructure, allowing operators to pull legacy systems into their centralized management platform while maintaining the flexibility to incorporate future technologies as needs evolve.

Advancing care through innovation

As technology continues to evolve, new applications are emerging that promise to further enhance nursing home operations.

Integration with advanced sensor networks could provide even more detailed insights into resident health and safety, while predictive analytics might identify potential issues before they occur, enabling truly proactive care delivery.

Drug diversion prevention represents another growing application area, with systems that can monitor medication storage and administration processes.

Integration with access control systems and automated dispensing cabinets could provide comprehensive oversight of pharmaceutical security, addressing a costly problem that affects many healthcare facilities.

The convergence of video technology with other healthcare systems opens possibilities for more integrated and efficient care delivery.

Electronic health records, nurse call systems and environmental monitoring could work together seamlessly, suggesting that we’re only beginning to realize the potential of smart technology in long-term care settings.

For nursing home administrators, the path forward requires viewing video management and AI not just as security tools, but as care enhancement systems that support their most important mission: providing safe, dignified care for vulnerable residents while protecting the staff who serve them.

The facilities that succeed will be those that thoughtfully deploy these technologies to amplify human capabilities rather than replace them, building stronger, safer and more efficient operations that benefit everyone involved.

This article was originally published in the July edition of Security Journal Americas. To read your FREE digital edition, click here.