To provide verbal feedback on the main messages identified during site visits to Stowlawn Concierge control room and the Assistive technology suite based in Bilbrook.
Minutes:
Paul Smith, Interim Manager for Commissioning, Older People provided a verbal summary of the visits on 18 January 2016. Nine Councillors attended the site visits to Stowlawn 24 hour control centre for concierge service which houses CCTV cameras across the City, and to a permanent telecare site with assistive technologies in Bilbrook.
He advised that the visits were well received and useful and that if required more visits could be facilitated at time that would be more convenient for Councillors who work. The Commissioning Manager advised that Wolverhampton Council and Wolverhampton Homes are giving consideration to providing a property in Wolverhampton that can be fitted out and utilised by residents to explore what assistive technology is available in a safe and supportive environment.
The panel raised a number of points for discussion including the following:
· People with dementia
There was some concern about how assistive technologies will help people with dementia, particularly if the person was confused or disorientated. Panel were advised that assistive technology will assist the carers of people with dementia. Assistive technology includes alert buttons in the house, texting and GIS tracking which can be used to locate people who may have wandered outside or become lost in an unfamiliar place. Sensors can be fitted in homes to assist their carers to monitor the individual’s movement in the house and can help to alert the carer to unusual behaviours such as losing track of day and night, not going to the kitchen or bathroom etc.
Carrying trackers outdoors can help carers to locate an individual who has become lost in hours rather than days which will help the person and their carers to be more confident in their safety. The time spent to locate them could reduce risk of accidents and therefore prevent or reduce the longer term impact and recovery of the individual, which would save resources.
· Telephone reminders
Contact by telephone is a good way to connect with an individual and is considered valuable to check if they are prepared for cold weather spells, ask if they have taken their medication, remembered a doctor’s appointment or just to say hello if they have not been out of the house that day. Panel recognised that people need contact and a phone call reminder from someone about a doctor’s appointment, or just to check the weather can reduce the individual’s isolation and potentially delay the early signs of dementia.
· Quality of Life
Assistive technology for use by the individual, by the carer or by family and friends is really important to make the individual’s quality of life better. Sensors being fitted in homes to monitor movement could prevent bed blocking in hospitals and improve quality of life for individuals who remain in their own home longer or return from hospital earlier.
Councillors wanted more evidence of what we are getting in social capital, quality of life and sustaining individuals in their own homes. How do we prove that money is saved as well as satisfying the individual request to stay in their home and reassuring carers and relatives about on-going assessment?
· Range of products
The Panel appreciated the range of products available to help individuals at the Bilbrook facility. It was felt that Wolverhampton people would benefit from a similar facility. Panel indicated that older people would rather see products in action and take advice from an independent person rather than from a relative.
· The Fire Service
The Panel welcomed on-going work with the fire service to develop the responder service. Panel recognised the good work fire officers carry out in the community, in relation to fire prevention and alarms but also recognised this as a good way to diversify their community work and helping people stay safe in their own homes. It was considered that police also have a community role to play.
· Reliability of technology
There were initially some concerns about the reliability of technology and the preference of individuals to have a person as their carer. The site visit gave an insight to the benefits of technology as a further support mechanism for the individual and the carer, not the replacement. This was very re-assuring to Councillors, they found designs to be practical, clever and eye opening, indicating that some of the technology should be an integral part of getting older, just like we use glasses to aid out eyesight.
· Capacity
The Chair highlighted a capacity issue and indicated that without capacity the proposals may be undeliverable, she indicated that it is hoped there will be some financial backing to give the capacity that is needed. The Chair requested a report back to a future meeting to highlight if the Council has capacity to support 3,000 people and to show the added social value, and the potential savings to other partner organisations.
· Value for Money
The Chair highlighted the need to demonstrate the value for money the technology can bring; how the council can show the cost savings from fall prevention through use of technology and how we would evidence it. The Head of Commissioning advised that there may be funding in the future to help with technology for people with dementia. He indicated that partners are working closely and have considered the benefits of three statutory resources getting added value. There was some discussion about the National Health Service saving in care costs and people being cared for in their own home and a suggestion that there could be an initial cash injection to technologies to realise the savings.
· Further evidence
One Councillor suggested it may be helpful to ask some of the technology users, individuals and carers, about their experience.
The Service Director clarified that much research and feedback has been gathered to develop telecare and supporting people in their own homes. He advised that some of the feedback has picked up on loneliness and isolation being a contributory factor for people being admitted to hospital; as they want someone to talk to.
Ros Jervis, Service Director Public Health and Well Being advised that it is difficult to put a cashable value on the benefits of assistive technology. She agreed that the case studies and feedback from technology users has to be used. She identified that some resource is attached to the prevention of falls and that information relating to prevention of falls should be revisited to help build a picture of how much falls cost in real terms. The panel recognised that it is difficult to quantify costs but highlighted that if a person falls the time that person lies on a floor could depend on the technology available to call for help and the sooner assistance arrives the less time would be spent recovering. They suggested that hospital admittance may not be necessary at all if individuals are helped in minutes rather than hours or overnight.
The Chair indicated that many valuable resources have been reduced and several community connections lost for older people. The panel highlighted the benefits of adult classes and courses such as flower arranging and discussed the social benefits of meeting up with others. They highlighted the need for community schools and voluntary organisations to open doors and access for lonely and isolated people.
Resolved
The Panel requested an update report to a future meeting to clarify if the Council has capacity to support 3,000 people in their own homes and to show the added social value, and the potential savings to other partner organisations.