Advance Telecare and eHealth Solutions

Telecare

It is widely acknowledged that a rising elderly population and a falling carer support ratio renders many of the current care provision models for older people unsustainable. BT is working with Government, universities and equipment manufactures to understand the role which information and communications technology (ICT) can have in the provision of high quality, cost-effective care for our aging population. This use of ICT to remotely support the provision of care to individuals, referred to as Service Users, within their own home is often termed 'telecare'.

BT has a number of telecare research projects which demonstrate how ICT can support independence, increase choice and contribute to the overall quality of life and 'wellbeing' of elderly individuals.

Liverpool Pilot

The Liverpool pilot uses unobtrusive ambient sensors to continually monitor an individual’s behavioural patterns within their own home without the need for them to wear or carry any devices. Through the use of novel intelligent data analysis (IDA) techniques it is possible learn the normal behaviour of a user and to determine when departures from normal behaviour occur. If these departures represent causes for concern then they are automatically communicated to carers via the broadband network. This means that in a crisis situation help can then be provided to a Service User without the need for them to initiate a call for assistance themselves. The proactive alert raising mechanism is of heightened importance when scenarios exist which prevent the user from being able to request assistance themselves, for example after a fall. Since early 2004 the telecare pilot system has helped to make a real difference in the lives of 20 frail and elderly Liverpool residents, as well as providing a research platform for other advanced telecare technologies.

Wellbeing Monitoring

In addition to identifying situations requiring immediate intervention the type of unobtrusive monitoring which can be carried out by ambient sensors is also of use in understanding the wellbeing of a Service User. Through the use of advanced IDA techniques it is possible to remotely track the activities performed in the home and to use long-term trend analysis for uncovering early indicators of deteriorating health. The benefit of early identification is that preventative arrangements can then be put in place to help avoid crisis situations. By working with healthcare professionals such an advanced telecare system has been demonstrated in the homes of elderly individuals.

Body Sensing

Body sensor networks (BSNs) provide a platform for collecting physiological/context information about a Service User. New research is looking at combining wearable body sensors with the ambient sensor approaches described here. An integrated sensor approach has the potential to extend the level of monitoring which can be carried out in the home and to exploit the potential of ICT for managing chronic diseases. Chronic diseases are responsible for a significant proportion of the UK healthcare costs and can unnecessarily negatively impact on the lives of millions of individuals.