The Assistivetech Monmouthshire Hub was officially opened on 4th June at Chepstow Community Hospital.

The launch allowed colleagues from Monmouthshire County Council and partner organisation Aneurin Bevan Health Board plus members of other external organisations to see what technological solutions are on offer for the residents of Monmouthshire.

 The Hub is made up of two interactive rooms – the Assistive Technology Bedroom and the Smart Technology Living Room – which showcase the various technological solutions available to support and enable people to live comfortably and securely in their own homes.

Both rooms are located on the St Arvans ward of the hospital.

 The Hub was set up with four key aims in mind:

• Falls prevention
• Rehabilitation
• Dementia care
• Social isolation

There are more than 30 technological solutions on display in the rooms including smart screens which control curtain openers and smart plugs for appliances such as lamps or fans.

Smart doorbells give an increased sense of security, while video call software allows family members to easily keep in touch with loved ones.

The video call software is designed to be a closed loop between the resident and their family to ensure privacy.

However, the care does not stop once outside the home. GPS tracking devices are also a part of the set-up, allowing families to ensure their loved ones remain safe. A ‘safe zone’ can be created which represents the area in which the resident feels safe. Should they stray from that zone, the family will be notified and can take action if necessary.

There are also more traditional assistive technological solutions on display which link to our lifeline service which includes fall detectors and other environmental sensors.

A visit to the Technology Hub can be arranged through the booking system Chepstow Smart Hub Booking System.

A visit to the Technology Hub may help professionals determine what equipment is available and beneficial for their service users prior to a referral being submitted to the Assitivetech Monmouthshire team.

Prices start at £5 per week and are capped at £10 per week, plus a one-off £50 set-up charge.  If you know anyone who would benefit from this service, please find out more by visiting AssistiveTech Monmouthshire – Monmouthshire or by contacting the team at assistivetech@monmouthshire.gov.uk

Tags: Chepstow, MonLife, Monmouthshire