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PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to describe the successful implementation of low cost connected healthcare technologies in developing countries.Design/methodology/approachThe study has considered the current models of telehealthcare being employed in Western Countries, and how other models of remote access may be relevant to countries in Africa and in the Indian sub‐continent.FindingsThe work has demonstrated the significant potential of m‐healthcare services for delivering successful outcomes using basic handsets and text messaging.Research limitations/implicationsThe technology is changing rapidly, so the field should be reviewed on a regular basis.Practical implicationsThis implies that more advanced mcare services using peripheral sensors, smart phones and bespoke "apps" may quickly result in healthcare services being offered to millions of patients who might otherwise have no access to primary care physicians.Social implicationsRural isolation and loss of access to healthcare should be consigned to history.Originality/valueThis case study is original in that it looks at the successful implementation of low cost connected healthcare technologies in developing countries.

PurposeThis paper seeks to describe how the special built‐in features of modern smart phones can be used to open up the potential of these devices for use as assistive technologies in supporting the independence and quality of life of vulnerable people.Design/methodology/approachThe paper describes, through a number of relevant examples, how low‐cost, downloadable applications enable the camera, the microphone, the accelerometer, the GPS receiver and the touch‐screen, to be used for specific assistive purposes.FindingsSmart phones and their applications are capable of providing useful support to a range of vulnerable groups including people with sensory disabilities, diabetics and people suffering from mental health problems, epilepsy or communication issues. It is likely that mobile care services using smart phones will be offered in tandem with home telecare services to extend the independence of the service user from the home to the outside environment.Originality/valueThe paper demonstrates how smart phone applications are capable of transforming a high‐performance mobile phone into a number of different assistive devices that can improve the lives of millions of people with and without disability.

Most local authorities now offer a telecare service to people who are eligible for community services under Fair Access to Care Services (FACS). Others also offer telecare in a prevention mode to people with lower levels of risk alongside traditional social (or community) alarm systems. A survey of local authorities, mainly members of the Centre for Usable Home Technologies (CUHTec), was performed to gauge the service provision options available and the charging strategies that have been adopted. Results from 39 authorities across the UK indicate significant differences between English shire counties and the unitary authorities elsewhere in the country in terms of eligibility and provision. The majority of authorities have yet to confirm a charging policy, using the principle of 'pilot project' to delay a decision until their Preventative Technology Grant (PTG) or telecare grants have run out. Some authorities with more mature services have chosen to make telecare free to particular groups on the grounds that they will reduce costs elsewhere in the health and/or social care economy. Most are introducing charges in the range of £5 to £10 per week indicating a generous subsidy from the council.

As the life expectation of the British population increases, so will the need for community care services to minimise the effects of ill‐health and improve the quality of life for older people. The article provide examples of suitable assistive technology and considers how comprehensive services that make use of such technology can be developed and managed.

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to introduce an end-to-end process to improve the prescription, uptake and utilisation of assisted living technologies in order to improve outcomes for older and disabled people.


Design/methodology/approach
– The approach involved consideration of the ways in which people's support needs are considered and how a more relevant picture can be drawn using their own goals and the issues and obstacles that prevent them achieving improvement. New models of support were introduced in order to improve the suitability of prescriptions for people who lived under different circumstances, sometimes with family carers.


Findings
– It was found that the application of an enhanced assessment approach required professionals and family members to understand more about the range of available technologies and their limitations. In order to avoid rejection of the technology, there will be a need for service providers to extend the range of applications that they offer, and to consider the suitability of the home environment for introducing new systems.


Practical implications
– The new model of assessment and prescription will improve the options for independent living for many people with minor disabilities and age-related problems.


Social implications
– The correct use of assistive technologies will be improved leading to users having more confidence in the use of technologies to support independence in place of conventional and expensive care services.


Originality/value
– The new model of assessment and prescription described in this paper is novel and developed by the authors as original work. Its value is that it disrupts current assessment schemes and will encourage innovation in prescription, and a more person-centred approach to satisfying the needs of vulnerable people.

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to provide a review of the use of wearable technologies that focuses on applications that tackle sensory and communication deficits, physical disabilities and alarm and activity monitoring. It is intended to promote the introduction of more wearable approaches to providing assistive technologies because of their benefits in utilisation and aesthetic appeal.


Design/methodology/approach
– The approach involves a comparison of different types of portable device in order to identify different groups that may be beneficial to different application areas. Recent advances are then considered for each area.


Findings
– The work demonstrates that the use of wearable AT device is increasing due to improvements in materials, battery power and connected intelligence such as smartphones. They will allow new devices to be introduced that are smaller, lighter and more usable.


Practical implications
– Utilisation of assistive technologies is likely to improve as wearable devices become the norm across a wide range of applications


Social implications
– Approaches to improving the Quality of Life of people with disabilities through an extended use of assistive technologies will be enhanced by the increased range of devices available and by their performance.


Originality/value
– To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first review of wearable devices that has focused on the needs of people who have rehabilitation and/or social care needs. Its value lies in encouraging manufacturers and designers to use wearable approaches to solving some of the problems facing vulnerable people.

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to identify opportunities where technology interventions could help manage the risks associated with fire and explosions in homes of people who are older or who are vulnerable through other causes such as mental health problems or a history of substance abuse.


Design/methodology/approach
– The approach focused on reviewing the latest available statistics in order to identify the major causes and rooms in which fire accidents occurred.


Findings
– The authors found that the number of incidents and fatalities continues to decrease as a result of preventive measures such as a greater use of smoke detectors, but that there remained issues with cooking safety. New products for limiting damage and managing risks are available which could have a positive impact.


Research limitations/implications
– The paper concludes that the challenges are making both professionals and the public aware of the available technologies and of introducing them following appropriate assessment of needs and risks.


Practical implications
– Greater resources need to be offered for training of the public and of health and safety professionals. Further funding may be needed to implement the introduction of new technology.


Originality/value
– This is the most up-to-date review of fire control measures employing assistive technology and telecare for domestic properties and will be of value to community health teams, adults care organisations, housing associations and other public bodies.

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to consider the importance of digital healthcare through telecare and portable assistive devices in supporting the reengineering of healthcare to deal with the needs of an older and more vulnerable population wishing to remain in their own homes.


Design/methodology/approach
– It supports the importance of the assessment process to identify hazards associated with independent living, and the possible consequences of accidents. By measuring and prioritising the risks, appropriate management strategies may be introduced to provide a safer home environment.


Findings
– A process for assessing and managing these risks has been developed. This can be applied to a wide range of different cases and yields solutions that can support independence.


Research limitations/implications
– The developed digital reablement process can be used to provide vulnerable people with a robust form of risk management.


Practical implications
– If telecare services follow the process described in this paper then they will improve the outcomes for their users.


Originality/value
– The process described in this paper is the first attempt to produce a robust assessment process for introducing telecare services in a reablement context.