Background Dehydration is a major cause of infections (Lean, Nawaz, Jawad, et al. BMJ Open Qual. 2019;8(3):e000563), confusion, deterioration (Baron, Courbebaisse, Lepicard, et al. Br J Nutr. 2015; 113:147–158) and falls, in adults living with advanced dementia or complex nursing needs, causing potential harm and unwanted hospital admissions. Monitoring fluid balance is often time consuming for staff and not always accurate. In addition, safe entry and exit for people with dementia in and out of care facilities can lead to restrictions on their freedom to roam.

Aim To develop two artificial intelligence (AI) concepts that help to a) monitor hydration b) provide safe entry and exit from the care setting and patients/residents’ rooms.

Method Following application for a digital grant to fund the design of the two proofs of concepts a group of experts including a medic, academics, nurses, dietician, IT, AI developers and digital partners was set up. A project plan for the first year was developed, along with success measures for each concept, an ethical framework, a set of personas and a risk table. An innovation hub will be created in the front lounge of the hospice to test both concepts.

Results Volunteers who are living with dementia or chronic diseases are being recruited to help test and refine the two AI concepts via our innovation hub. This will enable the AI to learn how people behave and interact with the AI. Once these concepts are refined, there is a plan to work with a digital care record company to enable the AI to securely send data direct to a person’s digital care plan reducing the need for staff to record data themselves.

Conclusion This exciting project is still in development. Following proof of both concepts the plan is to work with a local university to evaluate the concepts in live testing at various sites.