How Dorris works
Dorris learns the natural rhythm of daily life at home, then quietly lets you know if something seems different. No cameras, no complexity, no fuss.
Dorris learns the routine
Every home has a rhythm. The kettle goes on at a certain time. The front door opens mid-morning. There's movement in the kitchen around lunchtime. The lights come on in the evening.
Over the first couple of weeks, Dorris quietly observes these patterns using small sensors placed discreetly around the home. It doesn't record anything — no video, no audio, no images. It simply builds an understanding of what a typical day looks like.
This is entirely passive. The person living at home doesn't need to do anything differently. There's nothing to wear, nothing to charge, nothing to interact with. Life carries on exactly as normal.
The sensors we use
Each sensor is small, discreet, and designed to blend into the home. Here's what they do, in plain terms.
Door and window sensors
These small sensors attach to doors and windows and simply notice when they open and close. They help Dorris understand whether the front door has been used, whether the bathroom has been visited, and whether the day has its usual shape.
Motion sensors
Placed in key areas like the hallway, kitchen, or living room, motion sensors detect general movement. They don't know who is moving or what they're doing — just that there's the usual level of activity in the home.
Smart plugs
A smart plug sits between an appliance and the wall socket. It can tell Dorris whether the kettle has been used, or whether the television has been turned on. It's a simple, non-intrusive way to notice everyday habits without changing anything.
Light sensors
Light sensors can tell whether curtains have been opened in the morning, whether lights have been turned on in the evening, and whether the general light levels in the home follow their usual pattern. Small changes here can sometimes signal something worth paying attention to.
Temperature sensors
These keep a quiet eye on the temperature inside the home. A house that's too cold in winter or unusually warm can be a concern, especially for someone living alone. Dorris notices if the temperature drops below a comfortable level or behaves unusually.
What might trigger a heads-up
Dorris doesn't react to single events. It looks at patterns — and notices when something seems different from what's usual.
The kettle hasn't been used by its usual time
If your mum always puts the kettle on by half past seven, and today it hasn't been used by nine, that may suggest the morning hasn't started as normal. It could be nothing — a lie-in, a change of plan. But it might be worth knowing about.
No movement detected in the morning
If the motion sensors haven't picked up any activity by a time when there's usually plenty, that can highlight that something might be different today. Perhaps they're still in bed, or perhaps they need a hand.
The front door hasn't opened all day
If your dad usually pops out for the paper or opens the door for the postman, and today the door hasn't moved, it might indicate a quieter day than usual — or it might be something more.
The temperature is dropping unusually
If the house temperature has fallen below a comfortable level, it may suggest the heating hasn't been turned on, or there's an issue with the boiler. In cold weather, this can be a real concern for someone living alone.
Curtains haven't been opened
If the light levels in the living room suggest the curtains are still closed well into the morning, when they'd normally be open by eight, that can be a small but meaningful signal that the day hasn't started as usual.
Nighttime activity has changed
If there's noticeably more movement during the night than usual — more trips to the bathroom, restlessness, or activity at unusual hours — it might indicate discomfort, illness, or sleep difficulties that are worth being aware of.
How you hear from Dorris
When Dorris notices that something seems different from the usual pattern, it sends a gentle notification to the family members who've been set up to receive them.
This isn't an alarm. There's no siren, no flashing red light, no panic. It's a calm, clear message that says something like: "The kettle hasn't been used this morning — this is unusual for a Tuesday."
You then decide what to do. Maybe you'll give them a ring. Maybe you'll pop round. Maybe you'll ask a neighbour to check in. The point is that you have the information, and you can respond in whatever way feels right.
Multiple family members can receive these notifications, so the responsibility doesn't fall on one person's shoulders.
What happens next is up to you
Dorris provides information. Your family provides the care.
When you receive a notification from Dorris, there's no script to follow, no protocol to activate. You simply have a piece of information that you didn't have before — and you can respond in whatever way makes sense for your family.
Perhaps you'll call. Perhaps you'll visit. Perhaps you'll send a text to your brother or sister. Perhaps you'll contact a neighbour or a carer. Perhaps you'll decide it's nothing to worry about today, but you'll keep an eye on things this week.
The point is that Dorris gives you the awareness to make those decisions. It doesn't make them for you. It doesn't raise the alarm or contact anyone on your behalf. It respects the fact that you know your family best, and you're in the best position to decide what's needed.
What we install — and why it matters
Dorris isn't just a set of sensors. It's a complete, self-contained system designed to be reliable, secure, and independent.
A dedicated, discreet hub
A small, quiet computer is installed in the home — out of sight, out of mind. It runs everything locally, so your data stays in the home unless it needs to send you an alert. It's protected by a battery backup, so even a brief power cut won't interrupt things.
Its own internet connection
Dorris comes with its own mobile data connection and its own WiFi network for the sensors. That means it doesn't depend on the home's broadband. If the person changes their internet provider, or doesn't have one at all, Dorris keeps working.
Securely connected to our team
Every Dorris installation is securely linked back to our support team. We monitor the health of the system around the clock — so if a sensor goes offline, or something needs attention, we know about it before you do.
Tailored during installation
Every home is different, and every person's routine is their own. As part of the installation, we carry out a consultation to understand the home, the person, and the family's concerns — so the sensors and alerts are set up in a way that actually makes sense.
What's included
Every Dorris installation includes a comprehensive set of sensors, tailored to the home.
Contact sensors
For all doors and windows. Know when the front door opens, when the back door hasn't been locked, or when a window has been left open overnight.
Temperature sensors
One for each floor of the home. Make sure the heating is on when it should be, and that no part of the house is getting too cold — or too warm.
Presence detectors
In every bathroom, bedroom, and living space. Presence sensors are especially important in the bathroom — research shows that toileting-related falls are common, particularly overnight, and that traditional call alarms often go unused. Dorris notices if someone has been in the bathroom for longer than usual, without any intrusion.
Smart plugs
For everyday appliances like the kettle or the TV. These help Dorris understand daily habits — like whether the morning cuppa has been made, or whether the TV has been switched on as usual.
Professional consultation
Every installation includes a face-to-face consultation where we get to know the home, the person, and the family's concerns. We customise everything around the individual — because no two homes or routines are the same.
24/7 system monitoring
We monitor the health of every Dorris installation around the clock. If a sensor goes offline or the system needs attention, we'll know — and we'll let you know too.
Dorris supports — it doesn't replace
We want to be clear about what Dorris is and what it isn't.
Dorris is a supportive tool. It helps families stay informed about the daily wellbeing of someone they care about. It provides a quiet, respectful layer of awareness that can make a real difference — especially when distance, work, or life makes it hard to be there in person every day.
But Dorris is not a substitute for human contact. It doesn't replace visits, phone calls, conversations, or the irreplaceable value of spending time with someone. It doesn't replace professional carers, medical support, or emergency services.
If your loved one needs regular in-person care, professional medical attention, or is at immediate risk, Dorris alone is not sufficient. It works best as part of a broader picture of care and support — not as a replacement for any part of it.
Important: Dorris is not a replacement for emergency services, in-person care, or medical advice. If someone is in immediate danger or needs urgent medical attention, please call 999.
Interested in learning more?
We'd love to have a conversation about whether Dorris could work for your family. No pressure, no obligation.
Get in Touch