Now, after being given access to technology, she feels confident living independently again.
Diane, from Wolverhampton, is one of almost 1,000 residents taking part in a Technology Enabled Care programme, designed to help people with care and support needs across the West Midlands stay safe in their own homes for longer.
The programme is part of the West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker’s plan to modernise social care across the region. It is being delivered by the West Midlands Combined Authority through its digital delivery arm, WM5G, working in partnership with adult social care teams in Wolverhampton, Coventry and Birmingham.
Leader of the City of Wolverhampton Council, Councillor Stephen Simkins, joined the Mayor on a visit to Diane’s home last week to see how the technology is supporting her day to day life following her fall.
Diane said: “Having this technology is really empowering. It gives me the confidence to carry on with everyday life, knowing that if I fall again help will come.
“When I fell in the garden there was nobody here and it was scary. Now, with sensors, a GPS pendant, or tablet, I can alert my care provider or my sons easily wherever I am, not just at home. I am independent but I’m also getting frailer so having that peace of mind means everything.”
The technology available to people with care and support needs includes motion sensors, cameras, GPS smart watches and virtual assistant devices that provide round the clock monitoring and rapid alerts if something goes wrong.
Councillor Simkins said: “This pilot is showing how digital care can make a real difference to people’s lives. Working with the Mayor together we’re making a real difference to the lives of residents like Diane in Wolverhampton.
“We’re helping them stay safe and independent at home, while reducing avoidable demand on services. This technology enabled care gives us a practical and sustainable way to meet rising care costs and protect frontline teams.”
Mayor Richard Parker said: “Meeting Diane at her home shows exactly why this programme matters. It’s about helping people feel safe, confident and able to live independently for longer.
“For residents like Diane, this technology offers peace of mind. For councils, it helps reduce avoidable hospital admissions and eases pressure on frontline social care services. That’s better care for people and a more sustainable system overall.”
Participating councils have already seen savings of almost £1 million, while freeing up staff time to support growing demand and, following the successful pilot, the City of Wolverhampton Council has now commissioned tech supplier Alcove to deliver the service over the next two years, while a long term partnership offer for the city is developed.
Robert Franks, Managing Director at WM5G, said: “The learning from this programme is creating a clear blueprint for how technology enabled care can be scaled across the West Midlands and beyond.
“By working closely with councils, partners and local citizens, we are demonstrating how digital approaches can enhance care, support independence and help services respond to rising demand. This collaborative model is already shaping the design of complementary initiatives, including Digital Discharge, and provides a strong foundation for long term, sustainable transformation of health and social care across the region.”
