INVESTMENT IN TECHNOLOGY RESPONDS TO ELDERLY RESIDENTS WISHES TO STAY IN THEIR OWN HOMES (York Liberal Democrats)

York Liberal Democrats <info@yorklibdems.org.uk>

INVESTMENT IN TECHNOLOGY RESPONDS TO ELDERLY RESIDENTS WISHES TO STAY IN THEIR OWN HOMES

January 18, 2010 12:00 AM

Proposals on how City of York Council can deal with increasing demand for adult social services have been published today, setting out plans to use modern technology to help people stay in their own homes.

Liberal Democrat Executive Member for Housing and Adult Social Services, Councillor Jonathan Morley will consider his departments 2010/11 budget proposals at an Executive Member Decision Session next week.

Under the proposals an extra £1.8m will be invested in Adult Social Services to help meet the increasing demands put on the service due to the ageing population profile of the city.

It is anticipated that as part of the Council's budget £450,000 will be invested in Telecare equipment which helps people stay in their own homes by providing sensors and monitors which can alert wardens if someone is in need of assistance.

More than 500 residents already have basic smoke detectors, carbon monoxide monitors and bogus caller buttons, while around 50 more vulnerable residents benefit from tailored package which include more complex sensors.

Tailored packages include medication dispensers, motions sensors, fall detectors and a range of other monitoring systems to help people stay in their own homes.

Councillor Morley said, "The majority of people who receive homecare or residential care would prefer to be living independently in their own homes, investing in Telecare will mean we can offer more people that opportunity."

"As the demands on adult social services nationally continue to increase it is important that we make full use of technology to help people live independently. This will help free up other resources to help the most vulnerable people."

The budget proposals will be considered by Councillor Morley at an Executive Member Decision Session on 26th January.

The Executive will then approve its final budget proposals at a meeting on 16th February before the proposals go to Full Council on 25th February.