Automatic Pills Dispenser
The project continues to gather momentum. Working closely with the PCTs and local pharmacy committees, briefings have taken place and because of the tremendous support from community pharmacies a number of training sessions are being run across the County in November. Staffordshire County Equipment Centre will distribute the dispensers to local teams, maintain them and offer on-site technical support to pharmacists as they become familiar with the installation and set up.
Building on this work each district has now identified a link worker to work with local pharmacists to develop joint working, information exchange and new ways to improve support to local communities.
Staffordshire’s initial learning from this project will be shared at the regional LTC Telehealthcare conference on 24/11/09
Tamworth
Staffordshire Fire Service risk reduction technicians are installing telecare technology in partnership with County and District Councils, offering an integrated, comprehensive and timely risk reduction assessment.
The assistive technology (AT) demonstration facilities based with District Council Offices continues attract visitors and build understanding of AT as a preventative and assessment tool
BUDDI GPS technology is being used within the Community to offer support and monitoring
Newcastle
BUDDI GPS technology is being used as part of the assessment process and in one case has been given to a former postman in the early stages of dementia allowing him to still go out for walks. The unit will remain with the man as part of his maintenance package.
Are also developing an Enablement facility for adults with a Disability. This will be based on proactively planning with people of all ages who may wish to receive support to develop independency, inclusive of Assistive Technology. This project will also utilise the IQ system from Halliday James who have recently awarded the Newcastle Wellbeing team £10,000 worth of Technology which is specifically suited to adults with a Disability as it focuses on the Whole person and assessing that person and develops bespoke packages of support not reliant on physical support on every occasion.
The I-health flat in Chesterton continues to attract visitors and actively promotes the latest technology
Stafford
Assistive Technology was promoted at the recent Care2Share event held for careers and has already led to requests for automatic pill dispensers, memo minders and volunteers to trial a new Portable pendant alarm system being tested in the County.
Promotion of AT to partners continues. Awareness raising of AT as an assessment and preventative tool with housing colleagues has started.
Cannock Chase
The County’s first Telehealth pilot will commence in January 2010 jointly funded by the district and South Staffordshire PCT. A multiagency project board is coordinating the implementation and evaluation.
Planning is underway for an assessment and demonstration suite to be located within Cannock Hospital to promote understanding and use of the whole range of assistive technologies.
A property housing threee adults with learning disabilities is being developed into a SMART house to support assessment of needs, promote independence and offer the most appropriate support without compromising privacy and personal space for the tenants.
The 2008 DH evaluation of Just Checking continues to stimulate interest and recently support has been given to Wolverhampton, Birmingham and Dudley Councils in their implementation of the scheme.
Moorlands
Regular multiagency meetings are held to promote and explore the use of AT across a very rural district. This approach is helping to develop an integrated approach to assessment and problem solving.
Close working with Leek Moorlands Hospital and the Staying at home Scheme has led to the use of Just Checking in helping to assess and manage risks in the community. It has challenged assumptions about the ability of someone with dementia to live in their own home where they are familiar with surroundings and are able to follow their longstanding daily routines. The integrated approach of the current support plan which includes five days day care, family support and the just checking system has supported the individual and their family to achieve their goal of remaining at home and not enter a residential care home.
East Staffordshire
Working closely with Trent and Dove Housing the District has developed a joint initiative of providing Assistive Technology devices for both new and existing customers of First Call, with Trent and Dove being able to direct order these ‘preventative’ devices from our County Equipment Centre, therefore alleviating any delay in the provision of these vital pieces of equipment. From evaluations there is proof that this is really promoting the health and wellbeing of customers, preventing hospital admissions and maintaining the safety of our most vulnerable citizens. Examples include:
1 Male aged 90 years; a medication dispenser was provided which ensured that F took vital medication.
2 Female having frequent falls resulting in medical support being recruited far earlier
3 Female received assistance re both falls and from flooding in her bathroom
4 87 year old lady prone to wandering late at night, son alerted who returned mum home
Plans are being prepared to develop an AT Property to showcase AT and aid assessments.
South Staffordshire
Joint working with District Council and South Staffordshire PCT is leading to the opening Lichfield
Close working with housing providers has led to improved understanding of assessment for and delivery of assistive technology across the district. Regular local meetings have led to reduced paperwork and a more flexible, innovative and personalised response to needs.
The District has a link worker who will work with the monthly Burntwood Alzheimer’s Café and will help promote AT along with other social care and health services for people with dementia and their carers.
The use of the LOC8TOR technology is successfully helping maintain a woman who is always misplacing her purse and accusing family, friends and care workers of taking it. The LOC8TOR is used to find the missing purse, helping to reassure the woman who otherwise would ban support from her home and quickly deteriorate without her support plan.
Contact:
Jim Ellam, Assistive Technology Project Lead, Joint Commissioning Unit, Staffordshire County Council, Walton Building, PO Box 11, Martin Street, Stafford ST16 2LHTel: 01785 278554 / Mobile: 07966 857526, E-mail: jim.ellam@staffordshire.gov.ukwww.staffordshire.gov.uk
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