- Enliven Southland to trial AI-driven pain detection app for 12 months from July
- App allows staff to assess non-verbal signs of pain in dementia patients more accurately
- Funding support enables improved care and smarter tech use in aged care settings
The introduction of a new smartphone app is set to change how staff at Peacehaven’s dementia unit in Southland detect and manage pain in residents. The tool, called Painchek, will be trialled for one year, thanks to funding from the James Stewart Memorial Fund and the Stewart Family Charitable Trust.
Painchek is an artificial intelligence-based app that uses facial analysis to identify pain in patients who cannot verbalise their discomfort, such as those with dementia or cognitive impairments. It allows carers to spot subtle signs of pain and measure its intensity using a smartphone.
Enliven Southland director Carol Riddle said the introduction of Painchek represented a step forward in improving quality of life for residents. “It is essential that we remain relevant and keep up with technological advancement in aged care,” she said. “This would not be possible without the support and funding from our community. I cannot thank our funders enough for giving us the opportunity to purchase this amazing product and we are excited to share the outcomes.”
Painchek will be used with 46 residents in the dementia unit during the trial period. It is expected to make it easier and faster for staff to assess pain levels, which will support quicker treatment and give carers more time to focus on other tasks.
Enliven Southland dementia care manager Julie Worner said the tool would support better care decisions. “This enables us to immediately determine if a vocal resident has pain or if it is a behavioural issue and treat the resident appropriately,” she said.
Staff confidence is also expected to grow, as the tool provides a more reliable way to identify pain that may previously have been mistaken for agitation or other behaviour. This can also influence decisions around the use of anti-psychotic medication, as some challenging behaviours in dementia patients stem from untreated pain.
By improving pain recognition and management, Enliven hopes to enhance the health and wellbeing of its dementia residents.