Neighbourhood Services Scrutiny Committee 27 March 2008 Pilot Project on Assistive Technology Keith Hannah, Head of Directorate Support

Automatic electronic monitoring service Uses a range of different items of equipment Remote monitoring and response Uses existing infrastructure Real alternative to traditional social care services What is Assistive Technology?

Funding from Department of Health for two years –2006/07 - £121,473 and 2007/08 - £200,041 Five key areas of activity looked at: –Falls detection and falls response –Environmental control Fire threat and carbon monoxide detection –Natural gas fail safe –Wandering and confusion Outcome report – attached Pilot Project

High level of falls of people in their own homes / sheltered accommodation Impact on ambulance service and hospital Use of staff in Warden Services to respond to people who have fallen In 12 months have responded to 924 people Reported 2.5% reduction in Accident & Emergency visits PCT to consider future funding Falls Detection and Response

This includes falls avoidance equipment, bed sensors, switching on / off lights, door / window openers and closers 106 environmental control packages provided Multiple items of equipment to meet person’s needs Significant impacts / outcomes Environmental Control

Fire is a high area of threat to older people / people with dementia Use of carbon monoxide detectors Agreed protocol for response by Fire Brigade to an alarm activation 17 Carbon monoxide detectors installed Enabled people to remain living independently at home Fire Threat and Carbon Monoxide Detection

Concern with gas for people with dementia – high risk Installation and reset by CORGI gas fitter 12 gas fail safe detectors in place Real alternative to person going into residential care – case study highlights this Natural Gas Fail Safe

Research highlighted cases where people with dementia wander High risk area for carers especially when unsupervised 28 wandering solutions used – varying Can be used as a short term solution – see case study Wandering and Confusion Solution

Potential Savings Assistive Technology Solution Item Cost Annual Service Charge Total CostResidential Care Extra Care Provision Reduction of 3 Hours of Homecare Epilepsy detection module and falls detector £336.25£139.88£476.13£20,540£8216£ Potential Saving£20,064£7740£ Carbon monoxide detector£95£139.88£234.88£20,540£8216£ Potential Saving£20,400£7981£ Gas fail safe package£1085£139.88£ £20,540£8216£ Potential Saving£19,315£6991£ Wandering Solution£570£139.88£709.88£20,540£8216£ Potential Saving£19,830£7506£736.52

People can continue to live at home longer Can be used as part of a wider care package It is a “real” alternative to residential care – cost effective and value for money Can be used flexibly and designed to meet the user’s specific needs Provides support and peace of mind to carers / family members Can be used for short term interventions Outcomes

Case Study 1 Mr A suffers from Grand Mal seizures and is prone to falls. He is particularly vulnerable to seizures during his sleep and vulnerable during the day from seizure- induced falls; he is particularly at risk as he lives alone and requires urgent intervention should a seizure occur. Mr A’s wished to remain as independent as possible living in his own home. Mr A’s package consisted of an epilepsy detection module, a falls detection unit and 24-hours monitoring and mobile response. During the past 12 months, there have been 18 activations Mr A’s Telecare System has activated in real life emergency situations 18 times requiring an intervention by the Community Alarms Team. The team have dealt with his condition without the need to involve a hospital visit or an increase in his care package provision. Over 12 months on from Mr A’s original assessment as having substantial needs he continues to live supported by Assistive Technology in his home of choice.

Case Study 2 Mrs B is almost 80 years old and has a history of dementia, which has resulted in several near miss situations where she left gas appliances unlit. Mrs B was considered to be at substantial risk and therefore residential care was a real option. Following assessment, Mrs B’s home was equipped with an Assistive Technology Natural Gas Fail Safe device and monitoring and response package provided by the Community Alarms Service at Barrington Street. At the time of writing there have been three failsafe activations, which have been responded to by the monitoring and response service, which called gas contractors and arranged quick reconnection of Mrs B gas supply. The outcome has meant that Mrs B has continued to live for the past 12 months safely in her home without the need for residential care or further intervention.

Case Study 3 Ms C is a 45 year old who at the time of the installation of the Wandering Solution was recovering from a serious cerebral trauma, which had left her in a state where she frequently suffered episodes of forgetfulness and wandering. An intensive care package was put in place, however, her next of kin were under huge pressure due to her condition and her obvious vulnerability. For a three-month period a tailored Assistive Technology Wandering Package was used to allow Ms C to live a more normal and safe life. The solution also gave reassurances to the next of kin that when she wandered she could be quickly located or in situations during the night the systems would alarm and the next of kin would be made aware of any unusual activities. Subsequently, Ms C has made significant progress in her recovery and the Wandering Solution has now been removed and reused for another client.

There are 4 key recommendations: The pilot project has been a success Care management teams have targets for numbers supported by use of assistive technology Continued support for partners, PCT / ST Homes Development of an Assistive Technology Strategy Recommendations