Assisted living conference showcases the latest technology

A conference exploring the latest advances in assisted living is being held to benefit both healthcare and social care.

The UK is a world-leader in the field, with much of the technology developed here and more people taking advantage of it than in most other developed countries.

Keynote speaker at the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) event, Nick Hunn of WiFore, said: “‘Assisted living’ is a term that covers a multitude of products and systems, ranging from near-critical, post-operative health monitoring, to fitting stair lifts and safety rails. As the proportion of older people in our population increases, you hear the phrase used more, often as technology’s answer to the cost of an ageing generation.

“Although the myriad of definitions that adopt it all apply, the main thrust for assisted living is increasingly being seen as the use of technology that helps people live independently as they age. Many of these applications come closer to social care and enabling extended communities, as opposed to healthcare per se, helping to enhance quality of life for people living alone and providing confidence in their wellbeing to relatives and carers who may not be living nearby.

“This IET conference looks at the progress that is being made to make it more effective, giving an insight into how to provide better care for our parents, as well as a vision of how we will ourselves be able to assert our independence as we grow older.”

The conference is being held at IET London in Savoy Place on Wednesday, April 6. For details visit www.conferences.theiet.org/assisted-living/index.cfm?origin=nhe-eNewsletter