Technology and Housing: New Extra Care Housing video and Housing LIN practice briefing

As more aspects of our everyday life become digital older people's expectations and attitudes toward technology are changing fast. Today Housing LIN publishes two important looks at the increasing role of digital technology in the housing, health, and care sectors.

The newest instalment of the Housing LIN's 'Spotlight on Extra Care' series, A Digital Revolution in Extra Care Housing, looks at the many different applications of technology in an Extra Care setting, including security, improving health and social care, and enabling a richer later life experience. Released to coincide with our workshop on housing, health and independent living at NCAS 2018 in Manchester, we hear from housing providers embracing digital in their new developments on the importance of preparing for the expectations of future generations, alongside anecdotes from current residents at the frontline of this digital revolution.

And in the Housing LIN’s new practice briefing, Technology and Digital Connected Care Services: Towards the tipping point?, Clare Skidmore (opens new window) addresses the role of technology and digital enabled care and support services in meeting the current and future housing, health and care needs of older people, a pressing issue which will affect nearly every aspect of our lives.

The better utilisation of technology is a key component of the Health Minister’s long term plans for health and social care. Yet, the major developments in digital technologies – such as social media, digital communications, big data analytics, and smart homes technology – do not, to date, seem to have impacted significantly on the world of health, housing and care, and on people’s everyday experience of using these services at home.

However, as this briefing highlights, there are many promising projects, pilots, and short-term funded initiatives, but very few true examples of transformation at scale. We therefore ask: ‘What are the barriers for widespread adoption of digital technology in housing, health and care services? How close are we to reaching the tipping point for digital in these sectors?'

If you found these new Housing LIN resources of interest, check out our ‘Going Digital’ pages.