Minister pledges £4m in hi-tech help for elderly

PUBLIC Health Minister Shona Robison has announced £4 million of funding for "vital" hi-tech devices that help older people stay in their own homes.

The money will go towards devices such as vibrating "rumble" pillows to alert those with hearing problems if there is a fire alarm and electronic reminders for people to take medication.

The Scottish Government is making the money available to all 32 council areas for telecare technology.

Every local council and health board partnership is to be offered 120,000 to spend in 2010-11. As they have to commit at least the same amount of cash as they receive from the government, potentially more than 8m could be spent on the devices.

A total of 16m has been invested in telecare technology since 2006, with 25,800 older people having benefited. Robison said: "Investing in telecare is vital if we are to remain ahead of the game in meeting the needs of our growing older population. Telecare can help older people remain independent in their own homes – something we must explore further if we are to rise to the challenges we face."

She recently warned Scotland's care bill could rise to 8 billion in just over two decades unless changes are made. She said: "We expect our older population to rise by 62 per cent over the next two decades.

"We are firmly committed to free personal care but we need to change the ways we deliver care

"This extra 4m investment means we – and our NHS and council partners – can help a further 13,000 people to receive telecare. As well as helping older people retain their independence at home, that will also help avoid an estimated 21,000 more hospital admission days."