More than 200 vulnerable people are being assisted to live independently at home thanks to new technology provided by North Lanarkshire Council.

Specialist items of equipment can help support people with dementia or other cognitive impairments such as learning disabilities in their homes as they can be activated without the individual having to operate them.

Sensor technology raises the alarm if, for example, an individual falls, opens an outside door during the night, or if gas or water taps were left on. It alerts staff from the council's community alarm service or the individual's carers that assistance is required.

Councillor Harry McGuigan, Convener of the Social Work Committee, said:

"Our existing community alarm service is very successful, with over 10,000 individuals, including a third of people aged 75 years and over, having an alarm in their home. This service gives individuals and their families and carers reassurance that they will receive help quickly if they need it. We are now developing this system to use assisted living technology to help more vulnerable people live at home who might not otherwise be able to do so.

"This technology is particularly helpful for people with dementia because it can monitor their situation and raise the alarm, even if they are not able to do so for themselves. For example, if someone got out of bed during the night and didn't return within a certain period, the sensors would alert staff to check that the person had not fallen and was safe. Sensors can also detect excess heat, such as if a cooker was left on, or if gas had been turned on and not lit in a fire or cooker.

"Used carefully and sensitively, assisted living technology has the potential to improve the quality of life of vulnerable people. The council is making best use of this innovative technology to support the care packages we can provide to older people and give them and their families peace of mind that they are safe in their own homes."

The council has developed an ethical protocol for using this technology. Stirling University Dementia Services Development Centre has recognised this work as a model of best practice in the field and has invited the council to produce a joint training pack to promote good practice in this emerging area. The centre is a world leader in this area of work and it will use the training pack in its work with councils and authorities in countries across the world.

The Scottish Executive has recently announced plans for an £8 million fund to help councils to develop this technology further. North Lanarkshire Council and its partners in NHS Lanarkshire will be bidding for some of this funding to further develop the current services in this field. Among the possible areas of development: addressing how assisted living technology can be used within sheltered and very sheltered housing complexes; and how technology can help people monitor aspects of their own health, such as blood pressure and blood sugars, and alert them to seek medical advice if necessary.

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