In 2021, Appello began a long-term partnership with PA Housing to upgrade telecare services to digital in 153 independent living developments. To date over 75 properties have been updated with digital equipment and with an investment of £1.5 million across 30 schemes in 2023, PA Housing is committed to ensuring the safety and uninterrupted operation of their residents’ telecare services as UK telephone lines transition to digital.
Installation of Appello’s Digital Telecare Solutions
As part of this ongoing collaboration, Smart Living Solutions, Appello’s market-leading warden-call system, was installed in approximately half of the 30 schemes covered in 2023. Smart Living Solutions provides valuable assisted-living features including video communication and a video door entry system to improve safety and enhance residents’ quality of life.
“This has been another progressive year in our partnership with dedication from all parties to ensure the safety of residents in PA Housing properties. Together we have worked collaboratively, overcoming challenges to ensure our customers are benefitting from the latest digital telecare equipment ahead of the telephone service moving to digital.”
– Jaswant S Padam | Infrastructure Project Manager, PA Housing
Equipped with Smart Living Solutions’ management application, AppelloHQ, PA Housing staff can easily control and monitor the performance of the equipment, utilising important notifications and insights to deliver tailored care to residents.
In addition to Smart Living Solutions, PA Housing has opted to implement Appello’s SmartLife DUAL dispersed alarm system in several properties. While it does not have all of the assisted-living features available with Smart Living Solutions, SmartLife DUAL offers multiple connectivity options, including fixed line and dual SIM mobile digital connectivity, and the system integrates with a wide range of telecare equipment for comprehensive support.
Overcoming Challenges
Appello’s collaboration with PA Housing has not only focused on the implementation of Smart Living Solutions and SmartLife but also on addressing any challenges that arise during the installation process. The dedicated teams at PA Housing and Appello have worked closely to overcome challenges, including access for engineers, infrastructure obstacles and connectivity issues.
To address the challenge of access to flats, the installation team has taken a flexible approach by planning their work around the best days and times to gain access, carefully considering the schedules of residents. And as a temporary remedy to the issue of connecting new digital dispersed alarms without existing digital call monitoring in place, the management of alarm calls is currently being overseen by Appello to ensure that all calls are handled while a long-term digital call handling service is put into effect.
“In regards to the back office [monitoring centre] we’ve got the Tunstall system, so what we’re looking at is to align that either with the Appello solution or with another solution which gives us a complete digital solution. At the moment, we’ve got a bridge between the two, digital to analogue, but that is a temporary solution. But we’re looking at a solution which is all encompassing, digital to digital.”
– Jaswant S Padam | Infrastructure Project Manager, PA Housing
Contributions to the YMCA through PA Housing’s Social Fund
PA Housing allocates a portion of its budget, along with contributions from Appello, to their annual Social Fund. In 2023, the focus of this fund has been on contributing to the YMCA to aid in their work to address homelessness in the UK. PA Housing collaborates with residents to determine causes to support, driving positive change in communities.
Futureproofing Residents’ Care with Digital Solutions
With SmartLife and Smart Living Solutions, PA Housing is prepared for the ongoing nationwide switch to digital which is due for completion in 2025, ensuring residents have the latest technology to support their wellbeing. This transformative work, combined with the annual fund for community causes, demonstrates PA Housing and Appello’s commitment to improving lives in the UK.
