The Use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to Support Independent Living for Older and Disabled People Report prepared by: Dr. R.G.Curry Mrs. M. Trejo Tinoco Mr. D. Wardle Date: October 2002 Request for further copies of this report and any other correspondence should be addressed to Dr. R.G. Curry. [email protected] Abstract The use of technology to support independent living for older and disabled people is mentioned explicitly in many recent Government policy documents. The main purpose of this report is to make the reader aware of the range of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) based activities which can promote the independence of older and disabled people and help them live in their own homes. This is achieved by reporting on activities across a wide range of fields including policy, industry, research, housing, health and social care. The report develops the concept of “building blocks” of ICT-based activity. From an analysis of this current activity and particularly on how it has developed since a previous report, a number of lessons emerge. This information is used to make suggestions for a national infrastructure for service delivery and to provide guidance on local implementation. The report concludes by making recommendations for the development of the use of ICT, telecare and new electronic assistive technologies to support independent living. TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. REPORT CONTENTS 1 1.1 TERMINOLOGY ....................................................................................................................................1 1.2 SCOPE OF THE REPORT .......................................................................................................................1 1.3 STUDY METHODOLOGY........................................................................................................................2 1.4 STRUCTURE OF THE REPORT ...............................................................................................................2 1.5 OBJECTIVES OF THE REPORT...............................................................................................................3 2. CONTEXT 3 2.1 POLICY ...............................................................................................................................................3 2.2 TECHNOLOGICAL AND INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENTS..............................................................................6 3. CURRENT ACTIVITY 6 3.1 ESTABLISHED ACTIVITY .......................................................................................................................6 3.1.1 ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY .....................................................................................................7 3.1.2. ELECTRONIC ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY PROVIDED BY THE NHS ............................................7 3.1.3 COMMUNITY ALARMS SERVICES...........................................................................................9 3.2 NEW ACTIVITY...................................................................................................................................10 3.2.1 TELEMEDICINE AND TELECARE ...........................................................................................10 3.2.2 TELECARE DEMONSTRATION AND PILOT PROJECTS ...........................................................11 3.2.3 IMPROVING ACCESS TO INFORMATION USING ICT...............................................................15 3.3 OTHER RELEVANT ACTIVITIES ...........................................................................................................16 3.3.1 LOCAL GOVERNMENT .......................................................................................................16 3.3.1.1. London Connect.............................................................................................16 3.3.1.2 Nuneaton and Bedworth ...............................................................................16 3.3.2 DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION AND SKILLS – WIRED UP COMMUNITIES INITIATIVE ................16 3.3.3. OFFICE OF THE E-ENVOY – UK ONLINE; BROADBAND STRATEGY.......................................17 3.3.4 DEPARTMENT OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY – THE APPLICATION HOME INITIATIVE (TAHI) .........17 4. ICT IN THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT 17 4.1 BUILDING MANAGEMENT ...................................................................................................................18 4.2 SMART HOMES..................................................................................................................................18 4.3 CARE HOMES...................................................................................................................................20 5. NATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE 21 5.1 EDUCATION AND TRAINING ................................................................................................................21 5.1.1. PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION ..............................................................................................22 5.1.2. AWARENESS RAISING .......................................................................................................22 5.2 RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT .........................................................................................................22 5.2.1. UK RESEARCH ACTIVITY ..................................................................................................23 5.2.2 EU-FUNDED ACTIVITY .......................................................................................................24 6. DISCUSSION AND OBSERVATIONS 25 6.1 INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................................25 6.2 CLIENT GROUP .................................................................................................................................26 6.3 CARE SETTINGS................................................................................................................................26 6.4 PERSON-CENTRED CARE...................................................................................................................26 6.5 MULTI-AGENCY WORKING .................................................................................................................27 6.6 SERVICE DELIVERY AND CARE NEEDS ASSESSMENT ..........................................................................27 6.7 ETHICAL ISSUES................................................................................................................................27 6.8 PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION ...............................................................................................................28 6.9 EVALUATION .....................................................................................................................................28 6.10 RESEARCH......................................................................................................................................28 6.11 DEVELOPMENT OF TELECARE ..........................................................................................................29 7. SUMMARY 29 7.1 TYPICAL TELECARE EQUIPMENT PACKAGE ........................................................................................29 7.2 CAPABILITIES OF TELECARE ..............................................................................................................30 7.3 PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICALITIES OF IMPLEMENTATION ......................................................................30 7.3.1 PRINCIPLES......................................................................................................................30 7.3.2 PRACTICALITIES ...............................................................................................................31 8. RECOMMENDATIONS 32 9. REFERENCES 33 10. BIBLIOGRAPHY AND FURTHER INFORMATION 37 11. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 39 1. Report Contents 1.1 Terminology The following terms are used in this report: “Assistive technology” - equipment or systems that can assist people who have difficulties, due to age or disability, in carrying out everyday activities “Telecare” – care provided at a distance using ICT, generally to people in their own homes “Smart Homes” – homes in which ICT has been installed to help control a variety of functions and provide communication with the outside world 1.2 Scope of the Report The main focus of this report is current activity in the UK in the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to help older and disabled people live safely and independently in their own homes, with a particular emphasis on developments in telecare. The report also includes some limited information about the use of ICT in other settings such as intermediate care facilities, sheltered housing and care homes. While most current activity is in support of older people, the report captures some use of ICT to support younger people with physical disabilities or cognitive impairments. ICT-based applications to support independent living, such as telecare, are treated as a form of assistive technology and the report describes developments in electronic assistive technologies as well as in the built environment and smart homes. The use of technology to support independent living and promote independence is mentioned explicitly in many recent Government policy documents. These are reviewed to set this report in context, alongside technological developments. The report also summarises other Government initiatives