About care technology

Technology is all around us and when used safely and correctly it can make a huge difference to quality of life and daily living.

What care technology means

Care technology is the term used to describe digital or smart devices and services that can support your independence, to help you better self-manage and monitor your own (or someone else's) health and wellbeing. Care technology provides accessibility, convenience, choice and control that allows you to have an improved independent quality of life at home and in the community.

Care technology is used to delay or prevent the development of care needs, and it can be used to prevent an increase in a care package helping you to remain independent and living at home. It can also give peace of mind. There is a range of care technologies to choose from, such as:

• Smart home technology, such as smart plugs, doorbells and home hubs
• Movement sensors and home monitoring systems 
• Smartphones and wearables, such as activity trackers 
• Video devices and tablets, such as iPad, Facebook Portal or Video Carephone 
• Robotics and Cobotics

Read about the different types of care technology.

Using apps to support independence, health and wellbeing

An ‘app’, short for ‘application’, is a type of software program that allows you to perform specific tasks. Apps can be easily downloaded onto your smart phone or tablet. They can be a great way to keep track off and monitor your health and wellbeing, as well as staying independent. For example, you might use an app to:

• Make video calls to your friends, family or carer
• Monitor your step count and fitness
• Online shopping
• Play games
• Prevent isolation by staying connected with people with similar interests as you
• Public transport times and routes

Most apps are available through either Apple's App Store for iPhone and iPad or Google Play for Android devices. You can choose either free or paid for apps.