Research indicates COVID-19 will be a further driver for housing providers expanding their use of technology.
COVID-19 is set to further drive the agenda for housing associations and sheltered housing providers to embrace technology for monitoring the health and wellbeing of residents. The large majority (77%) believe there organisation will see more usage of technology for managing health, such as monitoring vital signs or conditions. Furthermore 66% said that they would expect to see more usage of technology for managing wellbeing, such as tracking exercise or food intake.
Research into perception changes as a result of COVID-19, were undertaken by Appello, the UK’s leading digital, technology-enabled care service (TECS) provider, and the Housing Learning and Improvement Network (HLIN). The results identify a real intention to further embrace digital technology with 74% of housing providers claiming that their requirements for wellbeing technology have changed as a result of the pandemic.
The results of a survey of 120 senior executives from providers of supported, sheltered and retirement housing providers are being published in a series of reports from Appello. The second in the series, ‘Four enablers to a better living experience in supported housing’, published on 1st September 2020, identifies focus areas that need to be addressed for housing providers to meet their vision for utilising technology to improve the lives of residents in supported housing.
“Realising the benefits of health and wellbeing services in a housing setting, has been widely discussed, but progress has been slow in some areas comments Tim Barclay, CEO at Appello
“COVID-19 may prove to be the catalyst that accelerates the housing sector to step forward and lead the way – our findings clearly show that there is a growing appetite. Our latest guide has been released to support housing and care providers make decisions that will enable them to embrace technology now, and in many years to come.”
Jeremy Porteus, Chief Executive, Housing Learning and Improvement Network (HLIN), added, “In 2020, we have seen the importance of our homes, and the understated role they play in our health and wellbeing. The housing sector has the opportunity now to be instrumental in the agenda towards greater integration of wellbeing and healthcare services, which could make significant improvements to the lives of residents.”
To download the report ‘4 enablers to a better living experience in supported housing’, please visit https://appello.co.uk/4-enablers-to-a-better-living-experience-in-supported-housing/