HEALTH and social care services in Inverclyde have created a new 'smart' room to help people live safely in their own homes for longer.

The new setting in the Hillend Centre - where the homecare and reablement services team are based - is putting the latest Technology Enabled Care (TEC) on full display to show how the cutting edge devices can aid care at home.

The 'TEC Smart Pad' is now open to colleagues across the HSCP and third sector organisations to see how it all works.


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On display are fall detectors, medication reminders, health trackers and other sensors to help with care at home.

New Smart pad with Jennifer Tormey, left, Donna Barr and Councillor Robert Moran New Smart pad with Jennifer Tormey, left, Donna Barr and Councillor Robert Moran (Image: George Munro)

In the near future the service hopes to open it up to the public so they can find out more about how technology can help them care for loved ones.

Inverclyde Integrated Joint Board chairman Robert Moran was among the first to get a look and give it a try.

Hillend Centre Smart PadHillend Centre Smart Pad (Image: George Munro)

Councillor Moran, chair of the Inverclyde Integrated Joint Board which oversees the Health and Social Care Partnership, said: “The TEC Smart Pad is a brilliant resource which shows what is out there to help people.

“A lot of people can find technology intimidating so by having the TEC Smart Pad they can see it and use it and have it explained to them to fully understand what it can do and how it can help.

“These technologies can reduce hospital admissions and ease the demand on care services as they support people living at home and managing their own care.”

Smart devices at Hillend Centre Smart devices at Hillend Centre (Image: George Munro)

Donna Barr, Integrated Technology Enabled Care Co-ordinator, was on hand with colleague Jennifer Tormey, one of the advisors, to show Councillor Moran and the Tele what technology has to offer care services.

The TEC Smart pad was set up to serve as a showcase for the latest innovations in TEC, Telecare and Consumer technologies.

They have created a home-like setting, providing a clearer understanding of how the technology works and its practical benefits for individuals.

The TEC Smart pad displays technology from around the home from the living room, kitchen, bedroom, bathroom and entrance to the home.

Smart Pad Smart Pad (Image: George Munro)

The technologies aim to make healthcare more accessible, efficient and personalised. It can be a memory prompt, help people keep in touch with loved ones, and also for fun.

In the future Inverclyde HSCP staff will have a system in place to monitoring activity and movement in people's homes which will feed back to a central hub, so they can improve individual care. 

The data collected will be used to create activity charts which reflect people’s capabilities and will allow staff to make informed decisions about the level of support people need.

Smart Pad at Hillend Centre Smart Pad at Hillend Centre (Image: George Munro)

It is hoped the 'TEC Smart pad' will open to members of the public in the new year to visit and see first-hand the technologies available to support them or their family members in remaining independent at home, supporting their well-being and self-management, with a member of the TEC team to provide guidance and support.

Smart Pad in Hillend Centre Smart Pad in Hillend Centre (Image: George Munro)

Anyone interested in visiting the TEC Smart Pad or to find out more can contact a member of the team on 01475 715946 to make an appointment.