New technology helps older people and people with disabilities
- 16 Jan
The project is a collaboration between the CSIRO, and community organisations Global Community Resourcing and Bromilow Home Support Services, which began around three years ago.
The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) is trialling new technology to support older people and people with disabilities in their homes in Australia, ABC reports.
The technology is a sensor network which can be installed in a client's home and can monitor environment factors like heat and movement. It uses a network of home sensors to track a person's movements, collect critical health information, and alerts carers of emergencies. An internet connection is required which enables data to be transmitted back to the patient, their family and carers.
Paul Hawting, CEO of Bromilow Home Support Services, stated that the technology has been successfully trialled in some of his clients' homes.
Those who were included in the trials supported that the technology has the potential to improve the lives of patients, their family members and carers.
Dr David Hansen, CEO of the Australian e-Health Research Centre at the CSIRO, stated, "What we're actually looking for is that we monitor someone's functional independence, so how well they look after themselves over time. What we expect to come out of that is that we will be able to, from all that sensor data, pick up the unusual events and set up alarms and alerts".
With this technology, elderly people and people with disabilities are being supported and encouraged to live independently in their homes, instead of going into nursing or care homes. Support needs are higher, but if technology can be used to aid in this way, then the resources can be shared out on a wider level and services can be provided to better meet the needs of certain groups of people who are more vulnerable.
Do you think this technology would be beneficial to older people and people with disabilities in the UK?
What do you think of this? Tweet us your comments @suppsolutions
This blog post has been written by our sister company The Media Bubble who specialise in social media for the social sector.
Related articles
- 03 Nov
THERE IS AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF PATIENTS WHO WAIT LONG HOURS IN AMBULANCES BEFORE BEING ATTENDED TO
Reports by The Guardian shows details from the FOI requests which found that:According to the shadow health secretary, Jon Ashworth:"These figures show an ambulance service pushed to the brink by...
- 08 Aug
DATA REVEALS THAT OVER 40% OF MATERNITY WARDS IN ENGLAND REJECTED EXPECTANT MOTHERS AT LEAST ONCE LAST YEAR
The data which was the outcome of a Freedom of Information request reveals the following:Jonathan Ashworth, the Shadow health secretary, said:"These findings show the devastating impact which Tory...
- 04 Aug
PARENTS AND CHILDCARE PROVIDERS ARE FINDING IT DIFFICULT TO ACCESS SERVICES ON THE "CHILDCARE CHOICES" WEBSITE
Many parents have reported problems while using the Childcare Choices website in May and struggled to register on it. However, HMRC apologised for the inconvenience, saying it had improved the...
- 01 Aug
HOSPITAL BUILDING PLANS TO CLOSE FOR A YEAR DUE TO FIRE SAFETY PROBLEMS
After a review of buildings, 52 inpatient beds will be moved from the trauma unit of John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, on the 4th of August.According to the NHS trust overseeing the site, a...
- 26 Jul
THERE IS INSUFFICIENT CARE AVAILABLE FOR CHILDREN WITH SERIOUS MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS
New figures on mental health showed the following:The author of an EPI report on children's mental health, Emily Frith, said:"Being in hospital for a mental health condition can be a disturbing...
- 20 Jul
REPORT WARNS THAT VULNERABLE ADULTS ARE BEING LET DOWN BY SOCIAL WORKERS AND CARE PROVIDERS
According to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman review:Local government and social care ombudsman, Michael King, said:"While I appreciate the complex emotional and practical decisions...
- 14 Jul
ONE OF SCOTLAND'S LARGEST HEALTH BOARDS HAS OVERSPENT ON CARE SERVICES
Prior to a meeting of the Edinburgh Integration Joint Board (IJB) today, the following figures emerged:The entire NHS Lothian budget shows a funding gap of £22.4m and the IJB agreed to savings of...
- 07 Jul
SURVEY FINDS THAT MENTAL HEALTH DEMANDS ARE EXPECTED TO INCREASE THIS YEAR
The poll by NHS Providers suggests the following:Louise Rubin of the charity, Mind, said:"We are concerned that people coming forward and seeking help for mental health problems are not getting the...
- 16 Jun
ADASS ISSUES GUIDANCE FOR SOCIAL WORKERS ON HOW TO PROTECT VULNERABLE ADULTS FROM SCAMS
The guidance by the ADASS includes the following:Vice President of ADASS, Glen Garrod, said:"Carers, families and neighbours need to be more aware of abuse, which can see older and disabled people...
- 07 Jun
THE WELSH GOVERNMENT PAYS BACK TO FAMILIES WHO WRONGLY PAID CARE HOME FEES
A Welsh Government spokesman said:"Earlier this year we introduced an amended process in order to accelerate the speed at which claims are processed."We have also developed common reporting criteria...
How to Fund Housing Support and Social Care Sevices Extremely informative, excellent speaker. Alison Halstead - Riverside ECHG
