System in line for top award

An innovative scheme being pioneered by Staffordshire County Council to help people with dementia to live independently has been shortlisted for an award.

The Just Checking system is one of six finalists in the national Trailblazer campaign. Older people's daily activity is monitored in the home enabling care professionals to assess the person's needs and plan the most effective way of delivering the care needed.

The council introduced the scheme to help various families across Staffordshire as part of the it's Changing Lives agenda.

Just Checking works by having small wireless sensors around the home. Data from these is then sent via a mobile phone connection to the Just Checking web-server.

A carer or relative can then log on at anytime with a password to monitor their loved one's movements.

Margaret Ford cares for her mother living in Cannock and said: "It's given me a better understanding of what happens at home when mum is left on her own.

"We have subsequently tried assistive technology to monitor and to alert us if mum leaves the property at night."

She says the system reassures her about her mum's behaviours at home.

"We are going to use Just Checking again soon to monitor any changes over the past few months."

Cabinet Member for Healthier Communities and Older People, Councillor Sue Woodward said: "This is very new technology and we have been pioneering it within Staffordshire in our care services to help make a real difference.

"Care assessors have told me that they have been able to see the impact of the carers' visits and have used the Just Checking feedback to adjust the care plan to better meet clients' needs.

"It is a very simple system and quick to set up and start monitoring.

"I wish them well in the finals," she added.

The winner of the competition, run by the Daily Telegraph, will be announced on June 25.