OAP group supports hi-tech aid (From York Press)

OAP group supports hi-tech aid

2:30pm Wednesday 22nd August 2007 in News By Richard Harris

AGE Concern has given a cautious welcome to new technology designed to help older people stay independent in their own homes.

As previously reported in The Press, City of York Council has been given £200,000 to allow it to provide "assistive technology" for people's own homes or sheltered warden schemes.

The money will be used to purchase sensors which can alert wardens if a resident has fallen over or if the gas has been left on without being lit.

Sally Hutchinson, Age Concern's chief officer in York, said the scheme could have huge benefits - but not if it denied older people direct contact with the outside world.

She said: "All this kind of new technology is wonderful as long as it does not isolate the older person by reducing social contact.

"If it supports them with plenty of interaction with real people then great, but if it reduces contact with other human beings then it's different."

The city council has set up an example of a "smart flat" with the technology already fitted at Haxby Hall, which has been visited by Labour councillors.

Coun Sandy Fraser, Labour's spokesman for adult social services, welcomed the scheme.

He said: "There are many ways the technology can assist and provide reassurance to both the older person and to their family or friends.

"Recent research shows that many older people wish to stay in their own homes for as long as practical, whereas in the past they may have been placed in much more costly residential care."

Coun Denise Bowgett, vice-chairman of the housing and adult social services committee, said: "While it does sound a bit Big Brotherish, many older people and their families and carers will welcome the possibility of maintaining their independence with the support the council can now provide through this scheme."

Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Steve Galloway, said: "We are delighted that the Labour group are now supporting the use of the assistive technology as announced by the council several weeks ago."

The assistive technology scheme will be publicly launched next month.