Benefits of smart home technology: Smart care and health management

Access to patient data and early warning systems around the clock allows for rapid intervention and avoids the need for more complex and expensive care. Patients will also gain a better understanding of their own health and the possible impact of their behaviour, enabling health and social care professionals to manage their medical records more effectively. Technology can also support people by helping them manage their medications more effectively, which can have a significant positive impact on their health and independence.

This helps to help people at home, rather than in hospital or relying on social care services, and can improve an individual's quality of life and enable them to remain independent for longer.

While smart home technology is becoming more common in homes across the UK, there are still barriers to full adoption and integration. The transition from analog to digital communications infrastructure by 2025 represents a step change in available solutions and services. Unlike analog systems, digital networks are "always-on," making vital information accessible 24/7 by stakeholders, such as family members and/or healthcare professionals, on shared digital platforms.

Data analytics is critical to improving the preventive capabilities of care, as well as the user experience, while reducing overall costs. Family members can also make use of the information gathered by smart home technology, for example, to view the activity patterns of loved ones through apps and provide support when needed.

The use of digital technologies not only expands the range of support available to individuals, but also improves quality of life and reduces reliance on statutory services.

As digital transformation evolves and technology continues to improve, we will see more people of all ages adopting smart home technology to become more independent and feel secure for longer periods of time.