Smart homes ‘could save the NHS £2.5bn a year’

Smart technologies for the elderly could save billions in health and social care costs, according to a new IMechE report.

Healthy Homes: Accommodating an Ageing Population found that 78,000 adapted new homes a year will be needed over the next decade, presenting a huge opportunity for construction firms and technology manufacturers.

The Institution of Mechanical Engineers is calling on the government to introduce financial incentives for construction firms to build these homes, and on manufacturers to step up their efforts to develop retrofitting technologies that let the elderly stay in their homes for longer.

The report also recommends creating a kitemark for ‘cognitive houses’ that can use smart technology to assess and manage an individual’s needs, and tapping into the experience of retired professional engineers and designers.  

Currently, physical inactivity costs the NHS £10bn a year, with £2.5bn spent on care as a result of poor housing. Simple modifications such as handrails, outside lighting and slip-resistant surfaces have been shown to result in a 39% drop in injuries and a 26% drop in medical treatment.

“About seven million UK homes are headed by someone aged over 65 years, who will undoubtedly need some form of assistive technology to help with everyday living, within the coming decade,” said Helen Meese, lead author of the report and a member of IMechE.

“Homes built with older people in mind, as well as retrofit technology for our existing housing stock, could not only allow people to live in their homes for longer, but also massively reduce costs for the NHS and social care system.”