Technology Enabled Care

One of Scotland’s major social housing and care providers has been using technology to support older residents to age in place and live as independently as possible.

Bield Housing & Care is a charitable Registered Social Landlord first established in 1971 and which now has over 6,500 tenants across Scotland.  The charity is primarily an older persons’ housing association, delivering a range of supported housing services to tenants as well as management services to owner occupiers in private retirement housing developments.  Bield’s community alarm service, Bield Response 24 (BR24), provides around the clock alarm monitoring services to Bield tenants, other housing providers, and local health and social care partnerships.

Bield has focused on the use of technology and has been on a ‘digital journey’ since 2018.  Gary Baillie, Bield’s Head of BR24 and Assistive Technology Development, points out that a key priority has been to put tenants at the centre of everything they do and explore how the right technology, through choice-based approaches, can best support independent living.

“Since 2018 we’ve been working to get our alarm receiving centre ready for the analogue to digital switch over,” he says.  “In addition to that, we’ve used it as the catalyst to really understand how we can explore the art of what is possible, maximise the use of digital technology and fully support our tenants to live as independently as possible in their own homes.”

Bield set up two ‘test of change’ projects designed to identify how the organisation and its tenants could be ready for the future environment.  Both had a focus on co-design, working with tenants to understand the most appropriate and impactful solutions.

Bield were the only Scottish test site selected to take part in the Technology for our Ageing Population: Panel for Innovation (TAPPI) project which aims to improve the way technology is used in housing and care for older people.  Led by the Housing Learning and Improvement Network (Housing LIN), the TEC Services Association (TSA) and funded by The Dunhill Medical Trust, TAPPI seeks to address the opportunity that technology has to enhance the lives of our ageing population and the barriers that prevent its adoption.  As part of this project, Bield worked with tenants to co-develop the Bield Tech Hub at their West Port development in Linlithgow.  The hub allows tenants, staff and other stakeholders to trial and give feedback on consumer and technology enabled devices which can empower individuals to maintain their independence, enabling them to live confidently in their own homes while staying active, healthy and socially-connected to their loved ones and communities.

The Bield Tech Hub consists of two bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, one living room space and one kitchen space and aims to demonstrate what digital support technology can look like in a home environment.  Smart lighting with movement sensor controls and speech recognition have been built-in, as well as a 4D predictive non-evasive Technology Enabled Care system that can detect falls or someone lying motionless.  The system is complimented by AI (artificial intelligence) preventative and analytical technology provided by Anthropos and designed to generate an alert to Bield’s alarm receiving centre if there are no staff on site.  The non-invasive predictive technology provided by Anthropos uses AI to learn individuals’ routines and can alert on site or BR24 staff to any significant changes, such as if an occupant hasn’t moved after a set period of time or remains in bed for longer than usual, ensuring timely support and intervention.  One important feature of the technology is its ability to predict potential crisis moments and send actionable insights to allow staff to get ahead of any risks.  An example is if there is a drop in an individual’s hydration intake but an increase in bathroom visits.  In this instance, the system will identify this trend and alert staff to the risk of a potential UTI.

Gary says feedback from nearly 500 residents to a digital literacy survey has been positive, but also revealed some challenges about digital access, skills and confidence.  “We found that 87% of people were interested in finding out more about technology, 68% were not aware that technology could support them to live at home and 41% were comfortable with the thought of sensor technology in their homes.  However, 62% advised that they did not have broadband installed in their homes and 11% believed that technology was too expensive.”

“More concerning, however, was the revelation that 72% said they often felt lonely, with the remaining 28% saying they were lonely ‘some of the time’.  That really focused our minds as a provider of housing to older people”, says Gary.  “We were determined to focus on how digital can foster those human relationships and to actively involve people in the design and use of the technology.”

With assistance from Co-production Works, an organisation supporting co-production through TAPPI, Bield appointed two ‘digital champion’ tenant volunteers and selected a further 15 tenants who offered to trial certain technology in their homes.  The co-produced technology has led to the development of a ‘Family App’ allowing relatives to easily keep in contact with their loved ones and, importantly, check that they are going about their daily routines as usual, or get in touch if they have any concerns.

Some of the devices installed in the trial participants’ homes include smart sockets, smart thermostats, and fridge monitors.  The test of change project has so far delivered positive experiences and, says Gary, helped reinforce positive family relationships.

“Family members and the tenants themselves are much more reassured, with feedback that relationships are more interactive, more positive and less stressful,” he says.  “The technology seems to do the important work of making sure that people are safe or helped promptly, freeing up family calls and contact to focus on what really matters to people.”

As a result of the project, Bield has now engaged with 18 Health and Social Care Partnerships in Scotland as well as Allied Health Professionals working in hospital discharge teams to highlight the positive use of technology as part of preventative care and support.  “As well as supporting people to live independent lives, it has a real impact on the system,” adds Gary, “with prevention of falls reducing GP appointments and hospital admissions.”

The experience has encouraged Bield to fully embrace the digital agenda, with its dedicated Digital Strategy being developed and active exploration of over 170 community-based developments across Scotland.  In addition, the organisation is investing in digital training for staff by actively participating in the Health and Social Care Digital Leadership Programme through NHS Education Scotland.  Gary himself is studying for his Master of Sciences degree in Leading Digital Transformation in Health and Care, run in partnership between the Scottish Government and the University of Edinburgh.

“Most importantly, we’ve been able to encourage people to look beyond the technology to understand its full potential in offering them and their family peace of mind,” he says.  “Using digital as an integral part of our independent living model ensures our tenants are at the heart of the service, with the right technology to support people at the right time, all tailored to their individual needs.”

Gary Baillie, Head of BR24 & Assistive Technology Development, Bield Housing and Care