Assistive Technology Information and Consultation John Patterson - Assistive Technology Co-ordinator Toby Dickinson – Senior Commissioner Jonna Yoshizumi - ASC Commissioning Project Support Officer June 2015

What are we here for?  To tell you what Assistive Technology is  To talk to you about what we’re planning to do, to improve the use of Assistive Technology  To get your views and feedback

What is Assistive Technology? “Assistive Technology is an umbrella term for any device which assists a person in retaining or improving their independence, safety, security and dignity.” 3.

People who may benefit from the provision of Assistive Technology may include those with:  Learning difficulties  Physical disabilities  Sensory impairment  A risk of falling  Certain medical conditions (e.g. epilepsy)  Memory impairment  Dementia  Carer support Who might AT help

Types of Assistive Technology  Monitored (Telecare)  Stand alone

Community Alarm Service Each borough has a 24/7 monitoring and response service. 2 tiers of service Cost varies between each borough Emergency services may need to be called to lift clients off of the floor

LBHF  In-house community alarm service- Careline.  Careline install all Lifeline units.  Referral form to be completed by a professional and sent directly to Careline or customers can self refer.

 Community Alarm Service to install all Lifeline units, telecare sensors and a small number of stand alone devices.  Referral can be completed by a professional and customers can also self refer (however installation fee would be charged) RBKC

 Community Alarm Service can install all Lifeline units, telecare sensors and a limited number of stand alone devices.  Referral can be completed by a professional and customers can also self refer.  Customers can request a private alarm if they have their own key holder. WCC

Falls Fall detectors Bed occupancy sensor Chair sensor Passive infra-red sensors

Safety and security Bogus caller button ERICA door chain Key safe

Environmental risks Telecare environmental sensors Magiplug Water level alert Stand alone gas detector Lockable gas valve

Medication management Vibrating watch Pill box reminder Pivotell medication dispenser

Memory Aids Orientation clocks Memo minder MemRabel 2 Lost item locators Mem-X

Epilepsy Emfit epilepsy sensor Possum wrist worn epilepsy sensor

Wandering Property exit sensor Stand alone door sensor with pager Timed wander reminder

Safer walking technology Can be in the form of a passive device or an active device (where it will begin tracking if the emergency button is pressed). Usually monitored by a monitoring centre but can have stand alone devices which will text a responder if an alert is raised. Can set geo-fences (safe zones) where an alert will be raised if the wearer steps outside of the agreed area. Can set it to raise an alert if a person hasn’t returned home by a certain time.

Just Checking  A system of wireless movement detectors which generates a chart of activity online.  Care professionals can use the system for assessment and planning care.

 Avoid constant carer attendance  Only alert you when things go wrong  Devices that communicate with your mobile phone  GPS monitors can track people Practical Benefits for carers

 Peace of mind  Improve relationship with cared for person  Reduce stress and improve sleep patterns  More freedom to do other things Benefits to carers’ well-being

 Is there a more simple, low-tech solution to the problem?  Who will provide the response?  AT can not totally eliminate risk but can help to manage risk Key questions when considering AT

 Consent  Mental Capacity  Privacy, Dignity and Respect  Is there a less intrusive option? Ethical Issues

Person: 85 y.o gentleman, Mr H. Lives with his wife in a maisonette flat. Diagnosis of dementia. No insight into his cognitive impairment, very disorientated and requires constant supervision. Risks:  High level of carer stress- Mrs H was struggling to cope. She gets very little sleep as she has to supervise Mr H when he gets up and wanders around the home at night  Mr H has switched the gas cooker on several times and left it on  Mr H forgets to switch the taps off  Mrs H keeps the front door locked when Mr H is at home alone so that he does not wander out and get lost.  Mr H has wandered off several times and gotten lost when out shopping with Mrs H. Police have previously been called to search for him. Case study 1- Supporting a carer

Intervention: A lockable gas valve (LGV) with key safe was provided in the kitchen so that Mr H is unable to switch on the gas. The plugs in the bathroom and kitchen sinks were replaced with magiplugs so that the rooms would not flood if Mr H forgot to switch off the taps. A memo minder was positioned by the front door to discourage Mr H from going out by playing a message (recorded by his wife) asking him to go back inside. A GPS tracker was considered but social work managers felt that there were other options to consider before providing this to provide Mrs H with some respite and to allow her to complete shopping etc. without having to take Mr H with her. Outcome: The equipment has now been in place for 6 months and there has been no incidences of Mr H leaving the house unsupervised and, as a result of the LGV and magiplugs, no incidents of gas being left on or flooding. Mrs H reports feeling much less stressed and says that she now does not have to worry about Mr H so much. The social worker involved reports that Mrs H is looking much brighter and is coping much better.

Person: Mrs B lives alone in a ground floor flat. She has a mild cognitive impairment and has a small care package to assist with personal care and domestic tasks. She also has meals on wheels. The social worker was considering a move to a more supportive living environment due to the high risk of falls. Risk: Mrs B’s mobility is poor and she is at a high risk of falls. On several occasions, carers have arrived to find her on the floor, having fallen several hours earlier. Mrs B has a pendant alarm but she forgets to press it when she requires assistance. Intervention: A bed occupancy sensor was installed (which automatically switches on a lamp as Mrs B gets out of bed) so that if she gets out of bed in the night and does not return within a 3o minute period, an alert is sent to Careline. Mrs B also wears a fall detector pendant during the day which will automatically send an alert to Careline if a fall is detected. Outcome: The risks have been managed allowing Mrs B to remain in her own home knowing that if she has a fall, help will arrive quickly. Case study 2- Falls

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 3 main elements of service, Call handling, Equipment Supply and Servicing, Response  Currently separate services in each borough  Some elements provided directly by the council, some through contracts with the private sector What we’re planning to do

 Would it be better to integrate some or all of these element across the 3 councils?  Seems sensible for Equipment and Call handling  Response services more complex  Agree a strategy for this new service in next 2 months,  procurement in August 2015  New service in place early in What we’re planning to do

Any questions?