An innovative anti-falls device that reminds the elderly to take their time when getting out of bed has begun large-scale trials in care homes.

The Bide device has been designed by De Montfort University Leicester’s (DMU) Design Unit with tech company Peak Medtek and is the brainchild of family GP, Dr Tom Adler.

Dr Adler, who began Peak Medtek Ltd to develop his idea, said: “We are very excited about these independent research projects.

“We deliberately wanted a very simple device that was intuitive and which did not make people feel that it was too complicated to use.

“The Design Unit has been very helpful in working with us to come up with a design that works for elderly people. It’s taken a long time to get here, we have done a lot of research and developed many, many different iterations but we are delighted to be in this position now.” Bide works by sensing movement of the person, or a change in the light. This triggers a pre-recorded message to start playing reminding that person to take their time getting out of bed, or any bespoke message to help that person remain safe. Messages can be recorded just like an answering machine and come from grandchildren, family members or carers.

Discussions with users has suggested that having a familiar voice advising the person to be safe is most effective. Bide also has a light function to provide a low-level light, and to provide a visual reminder to stay safe if they cannot hear the message because of hearing difficulties.

Starting in April, Bide will be trialled more formally via a Real World Validation project in care homes across Sheffield, after a smaller pilot in a single care home coincided with a 100% reduction in fall rates in two frequent fallers. Bide has also been used in individuals’ homes where elderly people have said that it has helped them feel more secure and a research project will also soon be starting in individuals’ homes in Nottingham.