READING Borough Council has secured more than £1 million to boost help for vulnerable adults in Reading.
The council made a bid to the Adult Social Care Technology Fund, set up by the Department of Health and Social Care, for a two-year grant with a view to expanding a pilot scheme trialled earlier this year.
The council launched the Independent Living Technology Enabled Care (TEC) pilot project back in June, exploring how new technology could be used to help vulnerable adults remain independent at home while receiving health support.
Now the council is looking to expand on the cited success of the TEC project, and will use the funds to continue investing in digital technology to boost the initiative, after being granted £1.08 million.
TEC sees devices like sensors installed in the home which can monitor movement patterns and subsequently alert caregivers to a change in habits or unusual behaviour.
The system can be used to note things like increased bathroom visits, fewer signs of meal preparation, or lack of movement.
It joins a number of other technological support systems including medication dispensers, memory alarms which help residents with regular reminders, and pressure pads which detect falls.
The council said it was part of a “wider digital transformation programme” with which it hopes to use technology to improve residents’ lives.
Cllr Paul Gittings, lead member for adult social care, said: “We are thrilled to have secured this money which will now allow us to expand our successful Independent Living Technology pilot–a project that has the potential to transform the lives of residents and have a hugely positive impact on our communities.
“By harnessing this innovative pattern-of-life technology, we can help people enhance their independence, well-being, and safety, and help address the evolving needs of our ageing population in Reading.”
He explained: “Most residents are adamant their preference remains to live independently at home for as long as they are able to safely do so, including after they are discharged from hospital.
“Because of this, the Council has a ‘home-first’ strategy in place and we now want to develop that further with new technology which have real potential to enhance the quality of life and the independence of vulnerable residents in our communities.”
More information about the services and systems the council offers for adult care residents is available via: reading.gov.uk/adult-care
