Recommendations

Technologies

• Technology services and the design of devices should be tailored to individuals’ specific needs. Different people have very different needs and preferences, and have different ideas of what they want to get out of using technology. If people receive technology that they don’t want or need, they are unlikely to use it. People should therefore have choice over the kinds of technology they engage with, and TEC services should be personalised.
• Technologies should be implemented as part of a package of support, rather than viewed as the only solution. Technologies can have a range of positive impacts, and can be transformative in helping people to achieve their personal goals. However, there are many things that technology cannot fix, including some of the issues which might be most important to people. For instance, physical home adaptations may be needed to enable people to confidently move around at home, and to be able to use their home as they wish, and where these adaptations are not in place, new technologies may not have the desired impact.
• Introducing a few new technologies gradually can enable people to get to grips with them before they learn to use any further devices. Where people have little experience of using technologies, introducing too many technologies at once can be overwhelming, and can mean that people don’t get their full benefit.

Processes of implementing technology services

• Assigning a dedicated project manager is a key factor in the success of technology service projects. Implementing a successful TEC project requires adequate resourcing, and lessons from the TAPPI project highlight that where there is a project manager who can dedicate time to the TEC project, rather than squeezing it in alongside other responsibilities, the project is more likely to run smoothly.
• Organisational buy-in, and support from organisations’ leaders and managers, is essential. The most successful TEC projects have support from the highest levels of their organisation. Understanding of the vision of what the technology pilot is aiming to achieve from the strategic levels of an organisation, as well as at operational levels, means that projects will be better supported. It also means that success stories or learning from the pilot will be more likely to be scaled up and implemented more widely across the organisation.
• All staff should be brought on board to support technology projects. This may involve providing staff with information and training throughout the project. This will enable staff to support residents who are themselves using technologies.
• Co-production is an essential part of designing an effective technology service which meets people’s needs and is effective in the long-run. Engaging tenants after key decisions have already been made can reduce tenants’ sense of ownership over the project, and can prevent this from happening. The co-production process should therefore start as early as possible, prior to deciding on technologies, to ensure that people have a say on their services from the outset.

Operational context

• Suitable building design or home adaptations are important for wellbeing. Addressing any issues in building suitability prior to or alongside the implementation of technology projects should be carried out in order to support positive outcomes.
• Digital inclusion is key for many technology projects. Many people in the UK lack basic digital skills, and older people are especially likely to be digitally excluded. If a TEC project is using technologies which require tenants to actively engage with them, it is likely that digital skills support will be required, both for tenants and for staff. In order to be effective, TEC projects of this kind should provide ongoing digital skills support. Technology projects need to recognise that people have varied of levels of digital inclusion, and not everyone wants to be online.
• In order for technology projects such as TAPPI to have long-term impacts, ongoing support will be needed. Responsibilities for maintenance of technologies should be clearly set out from the start of a project.

The TAPPI principles

• The TAPPI principles could be revised to make sure that each principle is clear and easy to understand. Simple descriptors for each principle would provide clarity on what is and what is not encompassed in implementing each one.
• Some TAPPI principles show a degree of overlap, and so could be combined to create a shorter, more accessible and memorable list.
• Safety and privacy are key concerns of many people using technologies. These could be incorporated into the TAPPI principles to adequately reflect these concerns, and to build safeguards against them into all technology enabled care services.
• Good connectivity should be seen as a foundation of any technology project. Internet connectivity is needed for many types of technology to perform at full functionality. Having reliable internet connections in place is therefore essential for TEC projects. Thinking about this too late can result in delays, which can be frustrating for tenants. This could be captured in the TAPPI principles.

Explore the co-produced revised TAPPI Principles which came out of the continuous evaluation of the original 10 TAPPI Principles throughout the second Phase of TAPPI.