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Elderly Get to Grips with Technology
for the Home
Anglia Advertiser
United Kingdom
April 21, 2005
South Norfolk's first SMART house opened yesterday (Thursday) giving older people a chance to get hands on with technology to support them in their own home.
The SMART House in Diss features a range of equipment from flood alerts which go off when sinks and baths overflow to memory clocks and voice prompts. All are designed to support older people with memory or mental health problems.
The house is the second to be set up in the county, following last year's launch of the Norwich SMART house. It is part of Norfolk County Council's drive to develop preventive services that help people stay independent in their own homes rather than have to move into care.
All the equipment and communications technology has been funded by the European Interreg IIIB, a European Union funding initiative.
Norfolk County Council, South Norfolk Housing Partnership, Norfolk and Waveney Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust, South Norfolk Primary Care Trust and Contact Care are all involved in the scheme, one of the first of its kind in the country.
Harold Bodmer, the County Council's director of adult Social Services, said: "This technology is designed to help people carry on living in their own homes - an absolute priority of Norfolk County Council. Having the SMART House means people can see for themselves what is available and what might be suitable for them."
The house is part of Clare House in Frenze Road, a complex of flats for older people, run by South Norfolk Housing Partnership. Norfolk County Council Adult Social Services provides support to many of the residents.
To see how the system works, devices such as carbon monoxide and fall detectors are linked to South Norfolk's 24-hour Community Alarm Service where alerts receive an immediate response. Equipment is loaned and fitted free of charge. There is a charge to connect to the alarm service.
Once the right technology has been found for someone, it can be installed in their home and linked through to South Norfolk's Community Alarm Service, ensuring support is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
People are also contacted, to offer them further support and to see if the equipment has helped.
Equipment at the SMART House in Diss includes smoke, flood, gas and extreme temperature detectors, voice prompt technology, and bed and chair sensors.
Over the next few months, the aim is to roll out the Assistive Technology service across South Norfolk.
John Whitelock, South Norfolk Housing Partnership's supported housing manager, said: "The introduction of the SMART House in South Norfolk sends out a clear message that we value independent living for all. Vulnerable people will now receive improved support and care from ourselves and Adult Social Services working together."
Dyliss Faife, Norfolk County Council's assistive technology manager, said: "The new SMART House is part of an exciting new service to support people in their own homes through technology. It reduces levels of risk, helps people feel safer and more secure and reassures families.
"South Norfolk will be one of the first areas to benefit from this technology and Adult Social Services are now working to develop this across the whole county.
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