Inside Housing – Comment – Taking a person-centred approach to supporting older tenants

Make it seamless

Many residents were frustrated that specialist devices, such as sensors and fall detectors, didn’t work together or join up with the familiar consumer technology they already used. In South Wales, Pobl Group took an upfront approach, challenging its suppliers to ensure any care technology they provided was interoperable.

Ensure it is affordable

The initial cost of devices can be an obstacle, along with ongoing expenses around broadband and maintenance. All six TAPPI housing providers put policies in place to overcome these problems.

For example, Platform Housing Group trained retirement housing officers to identify residents who might benefit from tried and tested tech. This was then loaned out and if it proved beneficial, residents were signposted to funding or supported to buy it themselves.

Keep it safe

Many older residents had fears about online safety, particularly scams. Wiltshire Council tackled this by offering residents training sessions in which digital safeguards and protection were shown, with the aim of building their confidence and trust in technology.

Support, support, support

One vital project insight was the need for accessible, ongoing training so older tenants could grow their digital skills at their own pace. This had a significant impact on engagement levels.

In North London, Haringey Council asked one of their tenants to become a TAPPI champion. She already used technology and started sharing her knowledge with fellow tenants, showing them how to use devices and answering their queries.

Near Edinburgh, Bield created an interactive ‘digital hub’ where residents explored technology using a hands-on approach. They’re also looking to create a tenant technology guide, with basic hints and tips.

All this is great operational work, but I also want to see wider, structural change.

Greater dialogue between housing providers, technology suppliers and local integrated care systems is vital, and creation of a vibrant consumer-facing marketplace for useful ‘independent living’ technology would benefit older people and their families enormously.

Beyond this, care technology should be integrated into training curricula for all housing staff and housing providers.

Last but not least, whichever government takes office later this year, an independent living strategy for older people, with housing and technology at heart, must be top of the agenda.