What do I want from technology-enabled care?
It’s a question I often consider, particularly as someone who works in social care and who draws on digital care. But, surprisingly, it’s not a question I’ve ever been asked.
The organisations providing my care don’t ask, nor do the companies developing the support systems I use.
I’m not alone. Despite 2.03 million people in the UK using technology-enabled care (TEC) – from telecare pendant alarms to home monitoring sensors – most people are allocated certain types of TEC, rather than being asked, early on, what exactly they want.
When gadgets are imposed on people, particularly individuals who lack confidence around technology, without good conversations about their ambitions, this often leads to frustration and low engagement.
I’ve heard many stories of people putting their TEC device in a drawer and leaving it there.
These aren’t just my observations. Evidence from a recent academic study draws the same conclusions.
When social policy researcher Dr Sarah Alden began to examine what people want from TEC, she found that most studies include views from care staff and care organisations, but not people who draw on care themselves.
Determined to rectify this, Sarah conducted nearly 50 interviews and focus groups with people, families and unpaid carers, and examined more than 100 sources of evidence to explore the different ways people use technology to support their lives.
Her findings were published recently by the TEC Action Alliance – a group of around 30 care organisations, including the LGA, Care England, Homecare Association and the TEC Services Association – whose aim is to put the voice of people, families and unpaid carers centre stage when technology-enabled care services and solutions are developed.
The alliance commissioned the research for its latest report, ‘Implementing TEC so we can all live gloriously ordinary lives’, and the results are eye-opening.
When people were asked what they wanted from TEC, nine clear priorities came out. People said they wanted:
- awareness – to know more about the ways in which technology can meet their needs
- independence – devices and systems that support them to do more for themselves
- control – to maintain control over care technology wherever possible
- reassurance – peace of mind for them and their families through connected technology
- seamlessness – technology that is joined-up and compatible with familiar devices
- personalisation – technology to be tailored to their needs and offer them genuine choice
- equal decision-making – a say in the design and functionality of their care technology
- support – help, advice and training if they struggle to access or adopt technology
- privacy and security – reassurance around online safety and autonomy over their data.
We’re now calling on councillors, commissioners and service providers, whenever they procure TEC contracts, to ensure suppliers respond to these nine principles.
We’re also calling for a simple, common TEC language. Commissioners, service providers and suppliers all use different – often technical – terms. Replacing these with easy-to-understand definitions, recognised by everyone, would support more people, families, and health and social care professionals to understand and find suitable digital care.
I believe passionately that these foundations must be in place when digital support is provided, so everyone can lead the technology-enabled lives they deserve.
- Check the TEC Action Alliance Action Paper, ‘Implementing TEC so we can all live gloriously ordinary lives’.