As part of our ongoing development of the AT solution, we have collaborated with practitioners to build the dashboard both in functionality and appearance to ensure it meets the needs of the practitioners and the residents. We have also engaged with residents and carers, through the use of focus groups, questionnaires, individual one-to-one support meetings, semi-structured interviews and data examination to gain feedback and ideas on improving and iterating the dashboard. Also that is accessible from a family and carers point of view and we are aiming to build a regular cohort of carers to test new concepts and ideas with as the product develops and new sensors and functionality are added.
A consistent and continuous internal communications plan ensured staff and supporting agencies were aware of the AT work and engaged with the solution and how it could support residents they supported.
Maintaining independence and remaining at home: A practitioner’s view
Carrie* is a social work apprentice within Adult Care Services and has been with Hertfordshire Council for six years, starting her career as a community care officer (CCO).
The key purpose of her role is to get people back to independence and she has worked closely with the Assistive Technology (AT) team from the start to ensure that the solution we have developed is suitable for residents to address their needs.
For residents referred for AT, Carrie visits them in their homes with family present if possible and AT is always included as a key part of the assessment review.
“My visits are very conversational and relaxed. I make sure they have the reactive measures (pendants etc) in place and then build in the more preventative options that are available if suitable for that particular resident’s needs.”
“The benefit of the AT sensors is that they give a longer term solution for residents to provide that preventative measure - such as declining mobility. A lot of families are so anxious about family members that have fallen and this helps give them reassurance.”
“Some residents and their families are worried that the AT solution is ‘watching’ them so I reassure them that the sensors are not visual and that it allows them to just get on with normal life – it doesn’t impact their day to day routines and gives them reassurance that someone is checking in on them if needed.”
“What I really like the most is that AT is versatile. It’s another tool in our assessment kit and can be adapted to meet different needs. Each resident is unique – whether you are 25 or 95, AT has a benefit in one way or another for everyone if they are willing.”
Carrie referred one of her residents, Henry* to have AT installed following a fall and long lie at home. Whilst in hospital he had been diagnosed with a TIA and acute delirium. His daughter took extended work leave to stay with him and support her dad to settle back at home. Henry was keen to stay at home and maintain his independence but his daughter was worried and felt unable to leave him alone.
Following the installation of AT, Carrie and an AT practitioner were able to review the data (below) and ascertain that Henry was back to his normal routine and there were no concerns. This resulted in his daughter being able to return home, return to work and sleep without worrying.
His daughter has access to a carers dashboard which provides continued reassurance. Henry’s condition had a massive impact on the well being of the family, so installing the AT service has helped reduce this.
Carrie has also used AT as a tool for assessing, over a period of time, how residents can cope on their own at home. “One lady wanted to return home for a residential stay and be in her own home but her family were against it due to fear of her not being able to cope without care. I arranged for AT to be installed in her home and over a period of five months, monitored her activity to see whether she could cope at home. She remained at home for the five months and issues were identified that did require her to return to residential care. However, she achieved her wish of being at home for a period of time and remained safe.”
Another key benefit of AT is around cost. AT is a key factor in enabling people to remain in their homes, vs needing 24 hour residential care which can be cost prohibitive to families.
So there are savings to be made from delaying moves to residential care both for the individuals (if not financially supported) or to the council.
“The thing I love most about my job is being able to keep people in their homes and have a decent quality of life. I like that AT can ensure that people are well protected and can live their lives as they choose.”
* Pseudonyms