10th September 2019
Trialling Consumer Devices in Adult Social Care
Adult social care in the UK is under pressure due to an aging population, more people living with chronic illnesses and tight public budgets.
We’re all aware of the challenge of looking after vulnerable adults. The UK population is aging, and public budgets are thinly spread. In fact, the Local Government Association predicts councils will have an overall funding gap of £5.8 billion by the end of 2019. Yet at PA, we believe everyone can get the care they need. And we believe that, with the right technology, it’s affordable for local authorities.
To prove this, Argenti, our innovative approach to providing technology-enabled care, worked with Hampshire County Council to see how Amazon Echo smart speakers and other Internet of Things devices could improve people’s lives. We put these connected devices, alongside other internet of things (IoT) gadgets, into the homes of 50 people with care needs. It’s the first time such consumer technology has helped care for people, and the results have been encouraging. In fact, our Amazon Echo care trial was so successful it won the 2018 International Technology Enabled Care Award for Innovation
In our report, ‘trialling consumer devices in adult social care’, we explore the results of this trial. We show how Echo improves lives, with first-hand testimony from some of those who benefitted, and we highlight the opportunities to do more as we build a positive human future in a technology-driven world.
Together, we’re improving lives every day. And we know we can do more to help people globally.
For further details please contact Steve Carefull, PA Consulting care technology expert.