Council highlights its new support service for smart and digital assistive tech devices
A North Yorkshire council is showcasing its recently launched support service to residents, where they can learn more about the range of smart and digital independent living equipment available from the council.
Middlesborough Council is aiming to champion digital inclusion for elderly and disabled people by offering more support to residents when it comes to digital independent living technology. From doorbell cameras to voice-activated speakers, the local authority is taking an innovative approach to support vulnerable residents.
Middlesbrough Independent Living service ensures those who need support have the equipment and guidance they need to remain safe and independent at home, such as practical mobility aids and home adaptations.
To keep up with the latest digital technology advancements, the Middlesbrough Independent Living service team now helps with a range of digital and smart devices from the independence hub showroom at its base at Cavendish House.
Staff from the independence hub can now assess what sort of digital devices are right for each resident and deliver demonstrations and teaching to help people improve their lives through technology.
Chris Thompson, Prevention and Support Services Lead Officer at Middlesbrough Council, said: “We are using technology to enable people to have more choice and control, to support independent living and safety, improve social interactions and reduce loneliness.
“We have a range of digital services that provide advice, equipment and assistance that offer person-centred solutions to improve lives through technology.
“And Middlesbrough Council’s Digital Inclusion Strategy has helped us to form collaborative working solutions with colleagues that will see us working smarter, more efficiently and put us in a position to share learning and resources and further improve our offer for Middlesbrough residents.”
The independence hub also provides specialist and sensory loss digital equipment, while the local authority’s Assistive Technology Team offers new and advanced technology, such as sensors, detectors, monitors, and alarms to help vulnerable people remain safe and independent at home. These include motion sensors that will detect if someone has fallen and if there are environmental dangers like fire or carbon monoxide, and even bogus caller alarms.
To ensure residents have the skills to confidently use digital equipment, the Rekindle project was launched, led by Steve Thompson. It provides a welcoming group environment to teach older people how to communicate and access services online, focusing on what people want and need to know and delivered at their own pace.
The work comes as Middlesbrough Council continues to champion digital inclusion through the recently launched Middlesbrough Digital for All project, which helps individuals and businesses overcome any barriers to going digital.
Camden Council has successfully piloted helpful care technology from Oysta that allows residents to return from hospital three days faster, on average, and be fully supported to recover at home.