The use of Assistive Technology in a Sheltered Housing setting in Staffordshire. Sheena Stuart Team Leader Allocations and Supported Housing Cannock Chase District Council Jim Ellam Assistive Technology Project Lead Staffordshire County Council

Issues Demographic pressures Traditional models of care and support not sustainable People wish to live in own homes Increasing needs with Sheltered Housing schemes Identification of capabilities and risks Personalised support

Level 1: Self Management (75%) Level 2: Disease Management (20%) Level 3: Case Management (5%) A Tiered Model to Prevention Home Improvement, Supported Housing, Home Support, Telecare, Aids and Adaptations, Healthy Diet, Social Support, Crime reduction, Benefits Advice, Carer Support, Exercise Care/Case Management, Disease Management, Falls Prevention, Medicines Management, Expert Patient Programmes, Intermediate care, palliative care

Partnership working Tenants Carers Housing Teams Staffordshire Social Care and Health Community Matrons Third Sector Pharmacy Community Mental Health Team District nursing Police Fire and Rescue Provider agencies Severn Trent

Locality Training Making the connections Assisitve Technology –Awareness and installation –AT suite at Caxton Court Dementia awareness Domiciliary care forum –Service Development –Clustering care –Medication

Community safety Fire service Home safety checks – Olive Branch initiative. Investment in home security equipment PCSO using Sheltered Housing schemes as bases evenings and weekends Street warden support Peripetetic working within localities

Tamworth W.I.S.H. Wellbeing, Independence, Safety and Health

Newcastle-under-Lyme I Health Apartment Demonstrating the latest innovations in Telehealth, Telecare and Assistive Technology in an ordinary 2 bed flat.

What is Assistive Technology? ‘Assistive technology’ is “any product or service designed to enable independence for disabled and older people” or “any device or system that allows individuals to perform tasks that they would otherwise be unable to do, or increases the ease and safety with which tasks can be performed

Cannock Chase In floods cost £1000 to repair Disrupted everyday life. Affected confidence and wellbeing of Tenants Presentation about AT at Teneants meeting led to Tenants asking to purchase some Magiplugs. Funding from South Staffs PCT All basins baths and sinks fitted with “Magiplugs”- cost £85 Year on savings of £ Reduced risk of floods and scalds Cheap and effective way of introducing Assistive technology

Telehealth ‘Telehealth monitoring is the remote exchange of physiological data between a patient at home and medical staff at hospital to assist in diagnosis and monitoring (this could include support for people with lung function problems, diabetes etc). It includes (amongst other things) a home unit to measure and monitor temperature, blood pressure and other vital signs for clinical review at a remote location (for example, a hospital site) using phone lines or wireless technology.’ Examples of telehealth devices are: Blood pressure monitoring Blood glucose monitoring Cardiac arrhythmia monitoring Asthma monitoring Medication reminder systems

Assistive Technology The system allows people with dementia or memory loss, to continue to live independently. It monitors a person in their home and provides a chart of activity via the internet.

Set up and Installation Briefcase – portable, self contained – only need a power point in property Simple to explain – good support material 20 minutes to install, 5 minutes to remove Basic IT skills Secure sharing of information via internet Cost effective £14 per week inc over 3 years Can be used with consecutive users across the year

Accessed through PC

Cannock Chase Housing Jan 2008 Scheme Managers keen to pilot use of Just Checking Trial kit proved successful with staff, Tenants and carers In April 2008 all Scheme Managers issued with a kit funded with support of South Staffs PCT Now integral part of life within schemes Family carers now renting kits using carers Direct payments to allow them to monitor parent and they find it very reassuring and it saves stress anxiety – can plan when to visit

Case Study 1 “Tom” 93 years old living in a Sheltered flat, Neighbours complain he is walking the corridors at night and disturbing them. Long term care suggested. Tom has dementia and cannot give an accurate account of what he does and does not do, but he wants to live in the community near family and friends. Just Checking installed in May 2007 It shows Tom remains in his flat and does not go out Neighbours reassured. Care package adjusted as we understand his routine better Tom still living in his own flat October 2008

Case Study 2 “Jane” 68, Dementia, Vulnerable in own home. Referred for long term care by GP. Spring 2007 Hospital admission – SW and Daughter advocated return to Community, challenged ward staff. Home Leave and Transition plan - enabling care. package monitored by Assistive Technology. Rehoused in Sheltered Housing – long term care package September September 2008 “Jane” living in own home in Community. Cost £3 pw more than long term care.

Outcomes Identify risks in own environment Avoid trauma of residential assessment or intrusion of overnight sitters Challenge subjective information Consider which resources are appropriate Understand the impact of services Evaluate the outcome Promote the right to live safely within community Cost effective

CSED evaluation August cases examined 9 critical needs, 11 substantial needs Request for long term care common Initially 16 perceived high risk, 4 medium –Outcome 11 high, 5 medium, 4 low 15 remained at home, 5 entered long term care –In 4 cases entry delayed, in one case by 6 months –8 care packages increased, 7 remained same

Summary Partnership approach is essential Improved understanding of the impact of Dementia on everyday life Preventing and delaying admissions to institutional care. Prevention of delayed discharge. Improved timing and sizing of care packages to support needs. Cost efficiencies. Promoting independence, choice and control.