New Smart Home to show how assistive gadgets can improve lives in Telford
Thanks to Telford 50 Legacy funding, the opening of an innovative new ‘smart home’ will showcase a range of assistive technologies, equipment and gadgets to help older people, those with a disability and people with dementia to live more independently and safely in their own homes .
From simple devices to stop baths overflowing and self-pouring kettles to reduce the risk of scalds and burns, to more major adaptations to a home, including stair lifts and bathroom adaptations.
Examples of what’s available on the market will be demonstrated in the Smart House, giving people the opportunity to test equipment and receive free, impartial advice from trained staff. An Occupational Therapy Team will provide assessments and information about funding will be available.
This £100k project is part of the £2m Telford 50 Legacy Fund, which supports a mix of physical schemes as well as other projects that help tackle key social issues in the borough and reduce demand on council services.
Almost 1,400 people took part in a consultation in summer 2017 to find out what people wanted to see supported as a legacy of Telford 50.
Councillor Paul Watling, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, said; “The Smart House will help people to see for themselves how equipment can be easily integrated into their home and how even small adaptations can make huge improvements to quality of life.
“Alarms and detector scan help those at risk from falls, for example, GPS trackers can help people living with dementia and there are all sorts of gadgets and products available to make daily activities such as cooking and washing much safer and more manageable.
“With everything underone roof in the Smart House and trained staff on hand to talk to, people can be confident that they’re receiving the right help to suit their individual needsor the needs of someone they care for.”
The Council will be asking people where they think the Smart House should be located within the borough via a short survey, please click here to complete the survey.
The facility is due to be open by February 2019.
