Reading Council successfully bids for adult social care grant

The authority aims to help people live independently in their own homes for as long as possible

A council has successfully bid for £1.08m from the government to go towards helping vulnerable adults living at home.

Reading Borough Council obtained the grant from the Department of Health and Social Care's Adult Social Care Technology Fund.

The authority aims to use special digital sensors to help people live independently in their own homes for as long as possible.

The grant spans a two-year period.

The council's plan is to expand its Independent Living Care Technology Solutions, a pilot programme which has been taking place over the last nine months.

It involves installing sensors that collect information on sleep patterns, bathroom visits, meal preparation and other daily routines in residents' homes.

"Once standard patterns are established after a two-week period, the system can then generate notifications if any deviations from these patterns occur," the authority said.

"Examples includes increased bathroom visits during the night or a decrease in signs of meal preparation.

"Family members can also access a friends and family app."

'Home-first'

The council believes the scheme is particularly helpful to people who have been discharged from hospital or are living with long-term health conditions.

Paul Gittings, lead member for adult social care, said he was "thrilled" to have secured the money.

He said: "Most residents are adamant their preference remains to live independently at home for as long as they are able to safely do so, including after they are discharged from hospital.

"Because of this, the council has a 'home-first' strategy in place and we now want to develop that further with new technology which have real potential to enhance the quality of life and the independence of vulnerable residents in our communities."

The project is being delivered in partnership with Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, and Berkshire West Integrated Care Board, and the University of Reading.

The fund also allocated money to three other projects.

The National Care Group will receive over £300,000, Shropshire Council gets about £1.2m, and Greater Manchester Integrated Care Board about £380,000.

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