Sensors installed in household items to help elderly people in Surrey keep their independence
Sensors have been fitted into everyday household objects to help older people live independently in Surrey.
They have been installed in things like kettles and fridges as part of a new scheme.
The sensors are used to monitor daily routines in a discreet way without the need for cameras or microphones.
All the is information fed into a central dashboard which is monitored by an alarm receiving centre (ARC).
If subtle changes are detected which may indicate something is amiss, the individual, their family and health or care worker is alerted.
The trial scheme involving 53 residents in Mole Valley proved so successful at enabling greater independence and providing reassurance to families that the pilot has been extended to two further Surrey areas, Tandridge and Reigate and Banstead.
The findings from the expanded pilot will then help to roll out the technology to other parts of the county.
Sinead Mooney, Surrey County Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health, said: “This is a really exciting development in our use of new technology to help residents with daily living because it enables us to be proactive about picking up on problems and preventing them getting worse.
“For some time in Surrey, we’ve been using technology to help keep people safe at home – such as alarms to call for help if needed – but this system which analyses information from a network of smart gadgets around the home takes that to a whole new level.
“Now that we’ve tested the technology with our residents and staff, working with our trusted and forward-thinking partner Mole Valley District Council, we can really see how it supports people to live independently in their own homes and reduces the need for them to go into residential care or be admitted to hospital.
“Feedback from families has been really positive too because they’ve been able to check in on their loved ones remotely which has given them reassurance they are safe at home.
“The service is intended to enhance and complement face-to-face care and is one of a number of ways in which we’re looking to harness technology to transform and modernise care for the benefit of our residents.”
In one example of how the technology helped a resident, the system flagged an increase in frequency of visits to the bathroom outside the normal routine of the person, raising concerns of a urinary tract infection.
The community nurse confirmed the diagnosis and secured antibiotics, probably avoiding a return to hospital for the resident.
Sue, whose mum has had the system installed said:
“Mum wants to be in her own home as long as possible and we want the same. It’s put my mind at rest a lot, just to know that mum’s safe. I think it would suit a lot of people.”