Smart home unveiled
17/12/2006
A state-of-the-art equipment and technology designed to enable older and disabled people to live safely and independently in their own homes has been unveiled.
The Disabled Living Foundation’s SmartHome is a specially constructed show flat built within its Equipment Demonstration Centre in West London. Laid out like an everyday home, the SmartHome combines existing mobility equipment with the latest in Telecare - a new generation of technology that uses a telephone network to provide a remote means of monitoring a person at home.
A qualified therapist shows visitors to the SmartHome examples of equipment solutions for people who are forgetful, frail, prone to falls or simply at higher risk due to their age or because they live alone.
For example, in the bedroom, a bed sensor activates a light when someone gets up and in the bathroom one of the devices automatically turns the tap off to stop the bath overflowing. Other sensors monitor a person’s activity and environment and can raise an alarm if, for example, the temperature rises rapidly or reaches a high or low point or if a person falls or doesn’t move for a long period of time.
The SmartHome is the result of a partnership between Westminster City Council, Westminster PCT, CityWest Homes and the Disabled Living Foundation.
To make an appointment to visit the DLF’s SmartHome, call the DLF Helpline on 0845130 9177 (Mon-Fri, 10am-4pm) or email centre@dlf.org.uk. Their website is linked below.