Page 243 - Handbook of Electronic Assistive Technology

232 HANDBOOK OF ELECTRONIC ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY

A detailed evaluation of the use of the Deptford flat has been performed (Orpwood
et al., 2008), with very positive results. BIME worked with Housing 21 and care providers
to program the system to meet the needs of an individual with dementia. This involved
assessing the individual, monitoring them for baseline performance on entry to the
accommodation and then programming the flat to address the specific identified needs.
Voice feedback, via prerecorded messages, was used to guide the individual in performing
certain tasks safely. A number of key events triggered the care alarm system:
1� If the user, having being discouraged from going out in the middle of the night, still
did so.
2� If the cooker had to be turned off automatically for any reason.
3� If there were signs of the user being anxious and restless at night.

The results indicated that key aspects of the individual’s lifestyle had been either
retained or improved with the support of the technology. This use of the flat and the study
ended after a year when the tenant unfortunately died. Following this, the local authority
chose not to continue with the initiative and the flat passed into the conventional care
stream and is currently occupied without the involvement of the technology.
Unlike the Deptford flat, which was fitted with a full KNX twisted pair system, the
Bristol flat was fitted with KXF RF devices and proprietary wireless PIRs, which were then
interfaced to a KNX twisted pair backbone to allow for higher-level information manage-
ment. It was set up to operate in a similar manner to the Deptford flat and although it
never fulfilled its function as an intermediate care facility, it was used by a long-term ten-
ant with dementia, who made full use of the technology, as described previously (Adlam
et al., 2009).
John Grooms Housing Association

A project was developed under the auspices of the University of Portsmouth, including
an extensive user needs evaluation. The project involved the installation of systems into 6
out of 50 social housing units for John Grooms Housing Association (renamed Livability).
Three of the flats were ground floor units, designed for wheelchair users, with full systems.
The other three flats were first floor flats and had preparatory cabling for future use. The
chosen technology was Echelon. For the plan the central device was the Zytron sensor,
which incorporated occupant motion, lighting level, temperature level, gas leaks, carbon
monoxide, humidity and smoke detection. An infrared (IR) receiver was included as well
but difficulties were reported with this at the time. There was a significant level of automa-
tion planned with control of all doors, windows and water, as well as video security and
digital utility meters. Attempts were made to avoid the creation of a disability ‘ghetto’ on
the development, and this was implemented by building the properties on one side of a
cul-de-sac that had otherwise been designated for six private homes.
The ground floor properties were fully equipped for the official launch in 2002, and
although some of the automation was removed following this event, the systems were
implemented for the residents.