Assistive technologies
Assistive technologies
enable people with health and care needs, such as the frail
elderly and those with Long Term Conditions (LTCs), to gain
independence in their own homes.
The Government's White Paper
"Our Health, Our Care, Our Say" stated that it
would set up a National Demonstrator Program to prove the
benefits of assistive technologies.
LTCs have a significant impact on the health and social
care economies. Therefore we need to look at new ways of working
and using assistive technology to help deliver services.
Whole System Demonstrator (WSD) is the largest randomised
control trial of its kind ever undertaken and the outcomes of WSD
are expected in spring 2011.
Kent County Council, in partnership with both Eastern and Coastal
Kent and West Kent
PCT's, was chosen as one of only three local
authorities in the country to be involved in this
trial.
The trial
We expect that the outcomes of the trial will give a
clearer idea and understanding of how new assistive
technologies can:
- promote people's long term health and independence and
safety
- improve quality of life for people and their carers
- improve the working lives of health and social care
professionals
- improve integrated working between health and social care
sectors
- provide an evidence base for more cost effective and clinically
effective ways of managing LTCs
- inform future policy
- determine how effectively the equipment works
Telecare and Telehealth are 2 types of assistive technologies
that we have been piloting in Kent:
Telehealth
Equipment and devices used to remotely monitor aspects of a
person’s health in their own home.
Telecare
A combination of remotely monitored passive alarms, sensors, and
other equipment and services to help people live
independently.
Please note: Recruitment to the WSD Programme
trial is now closed.