Not unlike the unknown, technology can be a little scary. The traditional application of technology has always been to make the world a better place for humans.

Recently, United Zion Retirement Community (UZRC) installed and implemented an artificial intelligence (AI) system that makes life safer for its residents. Miranda Troyer has been UZRC's director of personal care for six years.

"It's a radar-based system that requires no microphones and no cameras," said Troyer. "It works on motion detection. It's smart, so it learns our residents. It learns where their resting places are, so it's known when they are moving. I'm not a tech person. But our results have been amazing."

In January, UZRC, which is located at 722 Furnace Hills Pike, Lititz, became one of the first AI-powered senior living communities on the East Coast when it was equipped with a Helpany AI system. The AI system is an early detection tool designed to reduce the frequency and severity of residents' falls.

"It can sense a decrease in activity," said Troyer. "It tracks mobility and how well our residents are walking. It can also monitor their sleep. It sends me alerts every morning. It will notify us if someone is getting around at night, which is when most falls occur."

Since the Helpany AI system was installed, UZRC has seen a decrease in residents' falls to literally nothing. In 2025, UZRC had recorded 76 resident falls. In April of this year, there were no UZRC resident falls recorded, the first time that has happened in the retirement community's 121-year existence.

"I do credit the system for that," said Troyer. "It almost resembles a smoke alarm in a room. It connects to our Wi-Fi, and it has 24-hour support. We just all really love the simplicity. It's very easy to understand, and it's even easier for the caregivers. They can monitor residents through apps on their cell phones."

Currently, 27 residents, most of whom are Lancaster County natives, call UZRC home.

"Some of the biggest factors in falls are a decrease in or interrupted sleep, a decrease in activity and weaker mobility," Troyer said. "Those are three of the biggest things that the system monitors. In the past, we've been more reactive when people fell. It depends upon the severity of the fall, but there's the possibility of hospitalization and it could create a rehab stint. Death could be the biggest outcome. We're helping people be healthier longer. We're helping people be in their current level of care longer.

"On a weekly basis, residents get health reports from this system," Troyer continued. "It'll guide them, and they can see where they're at. They can choose to sort of turn things around. The residents have really responded well, and the system also has a portal where family members can see how their loved ones are doing through an app."

UZRC was founded in 1905 as United Zion Home for the Homeless.

"We are always trying to look at the folks we serve and figure out how we can serve them better," said Troyer. "We are a faith-based organization, and we get a lot of residents because of how faith-based we are. We're always looking to grow and change. As time is changing, so is the tech and the things you can do."

"This has been one of the most innovative areas we've ventured into," concluded Troyer. "We're being innovative and using these technologies to better the lives of the people we serve. I'm really focused on resident care. It's about overall health and well-being, and they can be very fragile."

For additional information, go to http://www.uzrc.org.