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Independent Living Technology Enabled Care (TEC) − Reading Borough Council

Independent Living Technology Enabled Care (TEC) helps residents live safely in their own homes with the use of sensors installed in resident’s homes which collect information on daily routines, such as sleep patterns, bathroom visits, and meal preparation.

Reading Borough Council’s plan is to expand its Independent Living Care Technology Solutions, a pilot programme which has been taking place over the last nine months.

The project is part of the council’s wider digital transformation programme, which aims to use digital technologies to make a real difference to the lives of residents.

Challenges

  • Awareness and adoption: Ensuring that residents, especially the elderly and those with disabilities, were aware of and willing to adopt new technologies was a significant hurdle. Many people were unfamiliar with the benefits and usage of TEC devices.
  • Training and support: Providing adequate training and ongoing support for both users and caregivers was essential. This included educating them on how to use the devices effectively and addressing any technical issues that arose.
  • Data privacy and security: The council had to implement robust measures to safeguard sensitive information

Approach

Once standard patterns were established after a two-week period, the system was able to generate notifications if any deviations from these patterns occur.

Examples includes increased bathroom visits during the night or a decrease in signs of meal preparation. Family members can also access a friends and family app.

Outcomes and benefits

So far, we have been working with several different service users, for example:

  • Two residents have been supported at home following discharge from hospital. The sensor-based data that helped adult social care to check their movements, patterns and abilities once home. It also gives their families assurance that they are safe and well. For example, Mrs X’s son lives far away from his mother but could see that she has been leaving her conservatory door open at night. He can remind her if it happens again.
  • The data has supported a sheltered housing resident living with dementia to remain in the community. During one review, the TEC provided reassurance by showing that the resident has not been leaving their flat at night or leaving the front door open. This had been a previous concern. This good news story has provided evidence that outcomes were achieved, that users have remained living in their own homes in the community, and that their families are reassured about their well-being.

View original case study article at reading.gov.uk