Assistive technologies for adult social care
Technology has a key role to play in supporting adult social care.
Technology must not be seen as a way of replacing the highly skilled and dedicated social care workforce.
It must be seen as a tool to increase the level of care and support offered to our residents that are in need.
This DDaT strategy recognises the potential for assistive technology to supplement the work done by care staff.
Projects will be taken forward with Kyndi, our Local Authority Trading Company (LATCo), to work with the adult social care service to find the problems technology could support with solving.
Examples where we could use assistive technology
We could use assistive technologies, such as:
- fall sensors in care homes and client homes
- sensors to monitor client behaviours, for example have they:
- got out of bed?
- put the kettle on?
- visited the bathroom?
- opened the door?
- remotely monitoring the data from the sensors to send alerts or prioritise home care visits
- tablets to allow residents to stay connected with services, family and friends
- cobots: cobots are robotic devices worn around the waist and lower back. They could be used to help carers in lifting, holding, and moving people with less risk of injury.