Helpany, the Arizona-based company behind the AI- and radar-powered fall prevention device Paul, today announced that Paul has been named to TIME’s Best Inventions of 2026 in the Medical & Healthcare category.

TIME’s annual Best Inventions list recognizes 300 innovations shaping the world across industries. The recognition comes as senior living increasingly turns to privacy-preserving technology to move fall prevention from reactive response to proactive intervention. TIME evaluates innovations based on factors including originality, efficacy, impact and innovation.

“Behind every fall is a person, a story and, too often, a life permanently changed,” said Sandro Cilurzo, Co-Founder and CEO of Helpany. “Being recognized by TIME is an incredible honor because it reinforces what we have believed from the beginning: senior care should not have to wait for something to go wrong. With privacy-preserving technology, we can give care teams the insight to recognize risk earlier, intervene sooner and truly move from reactive care to prevention. Ultimately, that means protecting independence, improving quality of life and helping caregivers focus their time where it matters most.”

24/7 AI-powered insights without cameras or microphones

According to the CDC, falls are the leading cause of injury among adults 65 and older in the United States. More than 14 million older adults — approximately one in four — report falling each year.

Helpany’s Paul is designed to help senior living communities recognize changes in a resident’s condition before they may contribute to a fall or other health decline.

Mounted on the ceiling, Paul uses radar and artificial intelligence to understand each resident’s individual movement patterns, without cameras or microphones. It identifies meaningful changes in areas such as gait and mobility, sleep, bathroom frequency, and sedentary behavior, giving care teams earlier insight into when additional attention may be needed. These insights can help caregivers investigate potential causes, adjust care plans, increase support, and intervene before small changes escalate — supporting proactive fall prevention while preserving residents’ privacy, dignity, and independence.

As the population ages and senior living communities support residents with increasingly complex needs amid persistent workforce constraints, technologies that help care teams prioritize attention and use their time more effectively are becoming increasingly important. AI can support this shift by helping communities deliver more proactive care while strengthening resident safety, independence, and quality of life.

Measurable results across senior living communities

• United Zion Retirement Community, Pennsylvania: After implementing Helpany across its personal care community, United Zion reduced falls by approximately 70% over four months, culminating in zero recorded falls in April 2026. Helpany insights also contributed to the realignment of approximately one in three resident care plans.
• Fellowship Square Mesa, Arizona: Resident presence in memory care increased from 92.9% to 97.0%, representing approximately 270 additional resident days per year and more than $78,000 in estimated annual ALTCS/Medicaid savings associated with residents spending fewer days in hospitals and skilled nursing facilities.
• Glencroft, Arizona: In memory care, nighttime falls were eliminated for three consecutive months, while care teams completed more than 250 proactive interventions. The community also reported 22% more time available for resident care without adding staff.
• Arroyo Gardens, Arizona: Within two months of implementing Helpany, the community reported a 64% reduction in total falls, zero fall-related 911 calls and a 57% reduction in general injuries.

Across Helpany communities, customers have reported outcomes including up to 80% fewer 911 calls and up to 22% more time for resident care, allowing teams to direct more attention toward residents who need it most.

Swiss engineering, built for American senior living

Helpany’s story began in Switzerland, where the company’s engineering, research and development teams continue to develop its core technology.

Today, Helpany is headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, placing the company close to the senior living communities, operators and caregivers shaping the future of its platform. As demand has expanded nationally, Helpany has expanded Paul production to Texas, strengthening its U.S. manufacturing capabilities and supporting continued growth across the country. 

“We built Paul around a simple belief: the best care happens before an emergency,” said Cilurzo. “Our Swiss engineering roots shaped the way we approached that challenge, with precision, reliability and a strong respect for privacy. Paul gives care teams earlier insight into meaningful changes, helping them intervene sooner, prevent avoidable falls and protect residents’ dignity and independence.”

The TIME recognition follows a series of national honors for Helpany and its senior living partners. At the 2026 McKnight’s Excellence in Technology Awards, Helpany received Gold in Fall Prevention, Silver in Creative Use of AI and Bronze in Quality. In 2025, Helpany received Gold for Innovator of the Year, Gold for Resident Monitoring and Safety, Silver for Fall Prevention and Best of Show. Helpany has also received the LeadingAge Arizona Innovation Award.