November 1, 2013

Fancy a Visit to Our House?

Collaboration of partners who have received Government funding to try out new ways to improve health and independence in Liverpool.

There are four pilot programmes in the UK, and in Liverpool the partnership includes Liverpool NHS, charities PSS and Hft, Riverside Housing and technology companies Philips and Tunstall. It has received more than £7m in funding.

Mi aims to do a number of things, including:

helping people to take charge of their health, wellbeing and lifestyle
using technology to allow people to feel safer and more independent in their own homes
reducing over reliance on health and social care services by supporting people to feel confident enough to do more for themselves at home

Mi is for everybody, not only those experiencing health and care issues. Mi can help those looking to the future and planning the next stages of their lives. The technology and services available through Mi are pioneering and can make a real difference to not only those who use it, but their families and carers as well.

So what is a smart house?

The Smart House showcases a selection of the tools available and demonstrates how they can help. There is also a telephone helpline with specially trained staff, able to advise upon the products, how they can help make your life easier, and ways to fund them. A Smart House has been built both physically – based in The Museum of Liverpool – and also virtually, on an easy-to-use interactive website.

Some of the items used-known as Life Enhancing Technology (LET) – include:

tools to simply make life easier, such as gadgets to control TV, open your curtains and a phone where you press a photo of the person you want to call
security enhancements, such as a finger-print entry lock and video to see who is at the door
door prompts that give you certain messages, such as reminding you of your dietary requirements when you open the fridge door
a gadget to prompt you to take your medicines
telecare phone sensors that alert you or others to a situation in the home
special devices that alert others if you are away from your bed for too long
sensors that inform you or others of certain situations, such falls, a wet bed, or an epileptic fit
baths that automatically unplug when too full, and warn you if the temperature is too hot

Mi technology can change the way you live –offering you and your family a greater sense of security within your homes, and allowing you to live a more independent life.

In addition, hundreds of trained Mi ‘Champions’ are working within the community, talking to people about their health and social needs, helping them to become more active and more involved.

All of the technology shown at the Smart House is for sale and for people already in receipt of social care funding from their local authority and/or NHS, it is likely that all or some of the costs of the equipment will be met. Funding advice is also available to make the items affordable to all.

What’s great is that PSS has now taken the lead on the Smart House and has recruited 3 new posts to work at the Museum of Liverpool. Their role will be to welcome visitors, provide interactive tours and give information about the gadgets. They are also looking for ideas as to what else they can get the visitors involved in, if you have got any thoughts let them now.

What’s even better is that the 3 new recruits where all PSS Supporters. There are loads of reasons why Supporters make great employees, ranging from those who already know our organisation and values to those who we have seen their many skills and qualities in action not just on an application form.

Michael has been working with the Mi Team for 18th months during his college holidays. He just keeps coming back to help out in what ever way he can whether that is getting stuck in with the Urban Green Team or installing and testing new apps on the iPads.

Tom has just completed his level 3 Health Trainer qualification that he will use to point people on the right path to becoming healthier. He’s also confessed to being a techie at heart and is a big fan of the Smart House.

Paul who is a Mi Champion came on board after working with the Mi team on a project in North Liverpool. He is also a Duke of Edinburgh Award assessor and wants to get more outdoor activities happening in the city.

The Smart House is open 11am to 4pm every day so feel free to call round and say Hi to the new team.