Telecare trial in Taiwan
A six-month study in Taipei will help determine the extent to which telecare can help people with dementia remain in their own homes.
The Renai Branch of the Taipei City Hospital will conduct a small-range, six-month study to help determine the extent to which telecare technology can be used to support older people with dementia living in their own homes.
The specialist dementia care centre will provide 30 dementia patients with a range of telecare devices from provider Tunstall.
Equipment used will include medication reminders, bed occupancy systems, door exit sensors and other passive activity sensors, all of which will be linked to Tunstall’s response centre in Taiwan.
The hospital will then be able to monitor potential problems without interrupting the subjects’ daily routines.
The study will evaluate whether these types of devices reduce carer stress and enable people with dementia to live independently for longer.
“Telehealthcare is transforming care services for those with long-term needs, worldwide,” said Tunstall CEO, James Buckley.
“It gives patients and carers greater independence and more control over their lives, as well as vital peace of mind.”
About a tenth of Taiwan’s population is currently aged over 65 and this figure is predicted to double within the next 20 years.
