Smart home technologies for health and social care support Ulster University
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Connected smart homes might not yet be able to completely replace existing healthcare services, but they can add value to the healthcare continuum of care, improve the quality of care, and reduce the mounting pressures on a healthcare system that in many ways is overcapacity. The analysis calculated an estimated potential cost saving to health and social care services of over 200,000 GBP per 100 users per year, dependent on the technologies used. A growing number are exploring how the latest breed of assistive technologies can support vulnerable residents to live independently for longer in their own homes, improving their quality of life while at the same time helping to balance budgets.
We have listed below of the best ways of utilising smart technology and software for a care facility. The project, which was billed as the first 5G-supported health trial of its kind in Europe, received 4.9 million GBP (6.4 million USD) to test how 5G technology could provide measurable health and social care benefits in a digitally deprived neighbourhood. The council works with consultancy Urban Foresight as its digital transformation innovation partner. Taking a challenge-led approach, the reablement service within adult social care was identified as an area where digital tools could have a significant impact – particularly related to falls. The short-term service helps people recover and live independently at home after a hospital stay or change in needs. Progression of telemedicine services from "trial" status to routine health service must be supported by improved research into patients' satisfaction with telemedics, and factors that influence patient acceptance of teleomedicine are indicated.
A systematic review of the smart home literature: A user perspective
Furthermore, scientists now believe that our behaviors while awake can be predicted from sleep behaviors and vice versa. Jennifer Williams and Diane Cook who work at the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the Washington State University are conducting research into sleep and wake cycles using smart home technology. Their research is performed with the help of the University’s CASAS smart home system. New sleep technology that goes beyond sleep tracking can already be integrated into your smart bedroom.
With several care providers now rushing headlong to become digitally integrated, it is important to logically assess the current situation of the business and then determine which objectives you wish to achieve by implementing new technology. For example, do you want to improve the social wellbeing of residents, improve staff efficiency or optimise security? Which do you think would be most beneficial for your care home and analyse your budget to achieve that objective.
Smart home technologies for health and social care support
The aim of their research is to be able to predict wake and sleep scores of individuals by analyzing data collected by bedroom sensors. This means that soon, we might be able to predict our “bad days” and prepare accordingly. The results could also help plan a better model of care for an individual living in a smart home. For instance, home technology has proven useful in the care of people with dementia. For dementia, it is being used for reminders and helps guide those dealing with dementia in the common activities of daily living. Computerized devices, such as COACH, can autonomously guide an older person with dementia through activities (e.g. hand washing) using audio and/or audio-video prompts, thus reducing the need for assistance.
The included interventions were social alarms, electronic assistive devices, telecare social alert platforms, environmental control systems, automated home environments and 'ubiquitous homes'. We included randomised controlled trials , quasi‐experimental studies, controlled before and after studies and interrupted time series analyses . The integration of smart home technology to support health and social care is acquiring an increasing global significance.
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Data in the downloaded RevMan file are editable and therefore the review data can be amended without warning.
The Alexa device was particularly successful for reminders, the smart lighting was effective but deemed “overly complex for the piloted applications,” and the video calling application was not progressed beyond proof of concept due to connectivity challenges. The team did a technology scan to see what tools might help as well as a user survey on how people felt about digital technology. You can choose to have a smart ergonomic mattress controlled by your smartphone. Or, you can get an alarm clock that wakes you up, simulating natural sunrise light. Smart technology is available for every corner of your bedroom, from bulbs to blinds. You can even try to reduce your child’s bad dreams by using the Sleep Guardian, which automatically vibrates to stop night terrors from happening .
In a modern smart home, many activities that are crucial to independent living can be monitored, and assistance is provided on an as-needed basis. If something is amiss—for example, a person has a fall or doesn’t take their medication—family can be notified immediately. However, the person living in the smart home maintains his or her autonomy and sense of independence. Smart Homes for Elderly Healthcare-Recent Advances and Research Challenges. The results suggest that a telecardiology service can detect and prevent clinical instability, reduce rehospitalization and lower the cost of managing CHF patients.
This builds a ‘digital twin’ of each individual based on their typical patterns of behaviour and raises an immediate alert to a carer, family member or independent living officer if changes in the pattern are detected. Research suggests that, unlike the current young generation, older people do not want their robots to be too human-like. Many prefer serious-looking robots, so platforms like Pillo—that resemble screens or speakers—might be better received than a robot with a humanoid appearance. Also, older people have expressed that they would like robots to assist them with tasks such as housekeeping, while activities connected with personal care (e.g. dressing, bathing, etc.) are better left to human companions.
If people can manage their chronic conditions at home, this offers many benefits—providing it is executed properly. From a business perspective, home care also costs considerably less when compared to hospital stays, and relieves some of the pressure on the currently overstretched healthcare system of the United States. Technology can help older people stay independent and safe, and avoid the difficult transition to institutional care. Cox Communications unveiled their new smart home in which every device is “smart.” A strong internet connection is central to their product, and the company also provides a network for other service providers. In the near future, we will be able to live in homes that will have health built into their structure.

The trial showed that the reablement team is best placed to support adults in using technologies to meet their goals, but not to install them. For the next phase, the council and Urban Foresight will work with an existing telecare partner that is experienced with rolling out home technology and managing issues such as stock control and procurement. The company offers various telehealth packages that connect people with their healthcare team through technology.
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Smart home technologies are altering not only our environment but also our identities, roles, and everyday practices. Therefore, some users might be reluctant to embrace this changing paradigm, and adoption of modern health-related advances may require thoughtful change management. Semantic Scholar is a free, AI-powered research tool for scientific literature, based at the Allen Institute for AI.
Urban Foresight provided guidance on data governance and the information that was provided to people about being part of the trial. Coupar says very few residents who were offered the service in Sutton turned it down. No visual or audio recording takes place, and no personal data is collected. People’s homes are their most private spaces so there are questions about whether digital monitoring could feel intrusive. Reflecting a trend, Liverpool’s initiative is being tied into efforts to reduce the digital divide so more people can access online opportunities for education, work and social purposes. The project was recently extended to run until September 2022 and aims to develop a ‘blueprint’ for the use of private 5G networks in delivering public services.
The battery-powered sensors, connected via a low-power, wide-area network , were delivered through the letterbox, with no plugs, wires or configuration required and no need for an in-home internet connection. To advance from pilots and trials, several councils are beginning to develop new partnerships and financial models. Councils must also prepare for the analogue to digital switchover in 2025, which will require many telecare solutions to be upgraded. They are becoming increasingly human-like and capable of meeting the different physical and emotional needs of people they care for. As robots’ emotional artificial intelligence grows, so does their acceptance.
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