Assistive Technology and Telecare : Forging Solutions for Independent Living

Assistive technology and telecare are of increasing importance in government policy on healthcare provision. Based on user views and technological developments this report:

· looks at the need for assistive technology and telecare;

· highlights background and previous trial developments, as well as the emerging policy environment;

· defines new generations of telecare equipment and provision;

· provides a detailed cost analysis which sets out the implications and costs associated with the widespread introduction of telecare;

· makes recommendations for future development and deployment.

The report is aimed specifically at people involved or interested in supporting older and disabled people in the community. It is therefore of particular interest to community alarm providers, occupational therapists, health care planners and policy makers, clinical engineers, and academics and researchers in the field. 

Dr Simon Brownsell is Research Fellow at Barnsley District General Hospital and Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Sheffield, and is involved in several aspects of assistive technology and telecare research and development. 

Professor David Bradley is Professor of Mechatronic Systems at the University of Abertay Dundee, and is responsible for a number of projects in this field. He has a particular interest in systems definition, the use of intelligent systems, and the integration of machine based intelligence into the telecare programme. 

Jeremy Porteus formerly managed the Corporate Policy Team in the Chief Executive's Unit at Anchor Trust and is a member of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's Housing for Older People Working Group.