White Heat Of Technology Shows Its Caring Side

Life is set to get easier for the elderly and infirm as technology which can open jars, monitor medication and protect them from dangers including cookers and overflowing baths is due to reach British shelves in the next five years.

Scientists will this week unveil new “telecare” equipment designed to revolutionise the care of the elderly and help meet the needs of Britain’s ageing population.

The products, on show at the Edinburgh Science Festival, include a tool for the vision-impaired that scans food barcodes, announcing nutritional information and allergens. A separate computerised product, called CIRCA, acts as a memory-recognition system designed to help early dementia patients.

Professor Heinz Wolff will display the Companion – a simple, multi-use computer that allows the elderly to shop online, view CCTV footage from outside their flat, regulate their medication intake, monitor household appliances and set up a video link with their GP.

Prof Wolff said: “There is a crisis that is only beginning to be realised and that is that we have an increasing number of old people who require care and fewer young people to provide care. If you promise to care for people in their homes, you have to back that up with some very clever, very sharp technology.”

David Manion, the chief executive of Age Concern Scotland, said: “Smart technology at home is an important step forward in supporting older people to continue to live in their own homes, thereby maintaining autonomy and control over their daily lives. It is transforming our approach to community care. It should be emphasised, though, that it is not a replacement of face-to-face care, it is an enhancement.”