As part of its commitment to adult social care, St Helens Borough Council is trialling a range of new smart assistive technology to help support people in our borough to live independently in their own homes for longer.
A tech enabled hub has been created at the council’s Brookfield Support Centre on Park Road, St Helens, which provides intermediate care for people who have been discharged from hospital, or admitted from the community, but not quite ready to return to their own home. This is currently showcasing some of the technology to staff, partners and residents showing them how it can be used to improve mobility, reduce falls and social isolation and support people with dementia.
It forms part of a new, award-nominated practice model which aims to put people at the centre of their care and use new and innovative ways to help people live independently at home for longer. The ‘reablement – home first’ approach focuses on empowering individuals who may have had a spell in hospital to regain the confidence to perform everyday tasks for themselves.
Cllr Andy Bowden, St Helens Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Integrated Health and Social Care, said: “There are currently 38,500 older adults in St Helens Borough who are supported by the local authority everyday – whether it’s to live independently, or with dementia and long-term needs care – with around £70m of the council’s overall budget spent on social care every year.
“To meet these challenges and the growing demand for social care as a council working with you, for you – we need to look at not only ways of modernising the service but to become more cost effective which offering this equipment to residents will achieve, while enabling them to live happier, healthier lives in their own homes which is ultimately where they want to be.”
Cllt Keith Laird, Cabinet Member for People, Performance and IT, added: “Artificial intelligence (AI) and assistive technology, like that on display at Brookfield, has the potential to improve lives and ease pressures on public services like Adult Social Care, for which demand is ever growing.
“Research shows that people live well for longer when they can maintain independence by living in their own home. That’s why it’s important that we explore innovative ways like the latest digital technology available to us to enable our residents to continue living independently for longer, safe in the knowledge that support is available to them when they require it.”
What can the technology do?
Equipment ranges from assistive lighting and automatic medication dispensers to one-pot kettles and self-draining sinks that help those with mobility issues. There are gadgets such as pillow shakers and sensors help alert to danger and prevent falls.
While smart water bottles help to increase fluid intake, with one button computers offering a simple and safe way to communicate with loved ones to reduce social isolation, as does robotic therapy pets which respond to petting, without the need of special care or feeding.
It’s not the first time St Helens Borough Council have wanted to innovate with new technology. In fact, their approach to Artificial Intelligence and tech enabled care has been shortlisted in the Transforming and Innovating Public Services’ category at the iNetwork Innovation Awards in Manchester later this month.
How can I find out more about this technology – and when can I use it?
A digital brochure is now available on the council website which shows all the available equipment, which can be purchased independently. Advice and support is also being offered to residents and families during interactions with Adult Social Care and Integrated staff.
Get Newton-le-Willows news updates by email
Don’t miss out on local information that you need. Sign up below.
Did you know? You can find local businesses in our Newton-le-Willows Local Directory
Next time you need a trader, cake baker, hairdresser or accountant, use our Local Directory to choose to support a small, local business first. Take a look at all the businesses we have listed.