Welsh council showcases emerging assistive tech to residents through smart flat
Earlier this month, Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council in south-east Wales demonstrated a range of emerging assistive technologies to potential users, families, carers, and healthcare professionals through a “smart flat”.
Residents were able to view a range of assistive technologies available to them through the local authority and how they can enhance independence in people’s own homes.
The Smart Flat was divided into three rooms: living room, kitchen, and sensory room. Each room demonstrated various assistive devices that could enable users to remain more independent in their own home.
Such devices included voice-command solutions, like Alexa, that enable home automation tasks, such as closing windows, turning on lights, and vacuuming the room.
Fall detection devices were also demonstrated to visitors, which could be worn as a pendant or on the wrist and automatically sends an alert to a monitoring centre if the wearer has had a fall.
Another assistive technology displayed was a simple-to-use tablet, which is designed for vulnerable people who may not be familiar with technology. Giving both the user and family peace of mind, the tablet can do a range of things that support independent living and reduce feelings of loneliness or anxiety. These include features like video calling, setting reminders, news headlines, and a diary.
The sensory room was popular among visitors, according to the local authority. It provided a range of stimuli through a variety of lights and colours as well as dementia therapy equipment such as therapy cats and HUGS.
Take a virtual and interactive tour of the Smart Flat here.
The Smart Flat, which officially launched in November, was developed by Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council’s adult social care services in coordination with ABUHB, Tai Calon Community Housing, and the Community Housing Group.
Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council said it was “overwhelmed” with positive feedback from visitors about the Smart Flat.
Staff from across the health and social care sector; the council’s MS Alan Davies; Director of Social Services; Executive Member for People and Social Services; local councillors; along with partners from Tai Calon Community Housing, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, and more viewed the flat.
Councillor Trollope commented he was very impressed with the range of technology on show at the Smart Flat: “By simply giving an Alexa device a few simple commands the flat was hoovered, lights were switched on, windows and curtains opened and closed. I can see this benefitting many people within our communities in the near future.”
Damien McCann, Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council Interim Chief Executive, concluded: “A very important objective we aim to deliver as part of the council’s corporate plan is to ensure Blaenau Gwent Council works in partnership to provide high quality services to meet local need, and improve the quality of life and well-being within the community. I would like to give thanks to all those involved in making this project a big success and hope to see a good take up of the services and devices on offer.”
A recent report from the University of Stirling has made a series of helpful recommendations about how assistive technologies can be implemented to support retirement residents.
University researchers found that gadgets such as Fitbits, hot water dispensers, jar openers, and smart speakers, which enabled small changes to residents’ daily life, had a transformative effect on their wellbeing and safety.