Hertfordshire Assistive Technology

Hertfordshire County Council provides vulnerable residents with life-changing assistive technology to meet their needs.

10:47 06 August 2020

Hertfordshire County Council is using assistive technology to deliver bespoke care packages to vulnerable residents, including the disabled and the elderly, to enable them to live independently. 

 

The Assistive Technology (AT) pilot scheme, which as launched in 2019, saw sensors installed in residents' homes to monitor their behaviour and movement. These sensors send alerts to carers if they detect something unusual such as medicine boxes left unopened for a period of time. 

 

Hertfordshire County Council said: "AT makes distance largely irrelevant, with the information provided - including alerts when there could be something unusual or wrong - available immediately not only to family members but also to social workers and care agencies." 

 

Richard Roberts, Hertfordshire County Council Cabinet Member for Adult Care and Health, said: "Assistive technology has shown already it can play a vital role, having a huge impact on some of our residents' health and wellbeing. We are using technology to help keep people safe and out of the hospital by checking for any changes in behaviour patterns, and responding where needed. 

 

"Our frontline staff are directly involved in the development of our AT system, which enables us to target, prescribe and deliver adult care in the best possible way. The platform also provides genuine reassurance for family and friends. 

 

"We'll continue to work with our staff to make sure we're meeting the needs of people with that flexible and adaptive approach."