Why predictive care beats traditional alarms

For decades, traditional button-based alarm systems in housing have provided reassurance. But in the digital age, isn’t it time to embrace a better way?

Plastic pendants, wall buttons, and reactive alarms can’t deliver the kind of proactive support residents deserve.

The future of preventive care is already here — powered by intelligent digital solutions that predict problems before they become crises. And this shift isn’t just about technology, it’s about dignity, independence, and creating safer homes for older adults.

Where traditional telecare alarms fall short

Button alarms and pendant devices were once groundbreaking. Today, their limitations are clear:

• Reactive by design: A pendant is pressed only after a fall. A monitor beeps once a heart rate has already spiked. In many cases, that’s too late to prevent harm.

• False alarms: Repeated false positives create “alarm fatigue” for housing staff and healthcare providers. Real emergencies can be overlooked in the noise.

• Obtrusive and undignified: Bulky plastic devices serve as constant reminders of vulnerability rather than independence.

• Limited data: At best, they show that something has gone wrong — not why, or what’s coming next.

Checklist: Signs your telecare system needs a refresh

• Residents rely on pendants or wall-mounted buttons

• Staff regularly dismiss false alarms or “cry wolf” scenarios

• Data is fragmented across multiple systems

• Families complain about being left out of the loop

• Your system only reacts after incidents, not before

If you’ve ticked more than two boxes, it’s time to rethink your approach.

From reactive to predictive care

Modern predictive care solutions goes further. With AI, IoT sensors, and continuous monitoring, we can now detect subtle changes in a resident’s wellbeing — days or even weeks before a crisis.

Examples of predictive care in action:

• Health changes: Analytics flag early signs of a cardiac event or infection.

• Environment risks: Sensors detect dangerous changes in air quality or temperature.

• Behaviour patterns: Data reveals gradual declines in mobility or sleep, prompting early intervention.

• Preventative alerts: Automated insights trigger support before emergencies happen.

This isn’t science fiction — it’s happening now in housing and retirement communities across the UK.

Why joined-up data matters

Predictive care isn’t just about gathering more data — it’s about connecting it. Disconnected silos make it impossible to see the full picture of a resident’s wellbeing.

That’s why Archangel developed its Ambient Assisted Living (AAL) platform:

• Integrates IoT sensor data, wearables, and care insights into a single dashboard

• Provides real-time, actionable information for housing providers, carers, and families

• Reduces confusion from multiple data streams and ensures no signals are missed

When data works together, decision-making is faster, clearer, and more confident.

Checklist: What a future-ready preventive care platform should deliver

• One unified dashboard (no silos)

• Continuous 24/7 monitoring

• Predictive analytics, not just reactive alerts

• Tools to involve families as well as providers

• Compatibility with multiple devices and sensors

• Secure, compliant data management

Dignity and independence come first

Technology should empower, not stigmatise. Predictive care solutions work quietly in the background, reducing the need for obtrusive devices.

The benefits are already clear:

• Confidence for residents: Living independently without constant reminders of fragility

• Peace of mind for families: Knowing loved ones are monitored safely

• Better use of staff time: Less reactive firefighting, more proactive care

• Smarter housing strategies: Data insights that guide long-term planning

A real-world example: retirement properties in Biggar are already showing how predictive solutions improve outcomes while enhancing dignity.

Beyond technology: Building a preventive care culture

Adopting predictive care isn’t just a tech upgrade — it’s a cultural shift. Housing providers, healthcare organisations, and policymakers need to move beyond the mindset of “we’ll respond when something goes wrong.”

Instead, the focus should be on:

• Prevention over reaction

• Integration over silos

• Empowerment over dependency

Checklist: Steps to move beyond traditional alarms

1. Audit your current system – Where are you still relying on buttons and reactive alerts?

2. Identify data silos – Are health, property, and environmental insights disconnected?

3. Engage stakeholders – Involve families, residents, and frontline staff in planning change.

4. Choose interoperable solutions – Look for platforms that integrate multiple data sources.

5. Start small, scale fast – Pilot predictive care in one community, then expand.

How to deliver change

The technology exists today. What’s needed now is the will from housing associations, healthcare providers, and policymakers to adopt it.

It’s no longer just about sounding the alarm — it’s about predicting and preventing the need for one. By embracing predictive care, we can help people live longer, safer, and happier lives at home.

If you’re ready to move beyond reactive housing strategies, get in touch with Archangel today and see how predictive care can transform your communities.