Technology Enabled Prevention and Care (TEPAC) Update - February 2025

The Technology Enabled Prevention and Care Pilot launched a year ago, in February 2024, with a key aim of exploring how technology can be used to enable people to remain independent for longer.

Over the last 12 months the TEPAC group has trialled a wide range of technologies that could be introduced to support Lincolnshire residents accessing adult care. This work is supporting decision-making around the future use and delivery of Technology Enabled Care (TEC).

Technologies range from smart plugs and motion sensors around the home, watches with pedometers, GPS trackers, Vocala (Amazon Echo Show devices), along with a range of apps that support people's independence.

The technologies being explored provide a range of benefits for users, including:

• Making communications with loved ones easier
• Raising timely alerts when people are in need of support
• Helping people to pro-actively manage health conditions
• Creating more cost-effective methods of delivering social care

Benefits in action

The TEPAC pilot is already reaping benefits for Lincolnshire residents.

In one case a woman with Parkinson’s disease, who is confined to her bed, has used Vocala with voice control to listen to music and, with the introduction of smart bulbs, turn her lights on and off. She now also keeps in touch with her family via video calls.

The introduction of these simple but key elements of technology have reduced the number of social care visits the woman requires, have grown her independence, and improved her mental health.

The TEPAC Project Team: Stacey McNicholas, Lincolnshire County Council (LCC), Amy Pitts (LCC), Mo Ray (University of Lincoln), Emma Charles (NRS Healthcare), Rebecca Alton (LCC), Theo Jarratt (LCC), and Dan Clarke (NRS Healthcare)  

TEPAC achievements to date

The TEPAC pilot had has now established a service model for provision of TEC, with a robust process for referrals, including monitoring and reporting of benefits.

Up to mid-February 2025, the impacts of TEC are as follows:

The TEPAC team have also:

• Identified wider system benefits to Police & NHS services.
• Gathered views from professionals and people who use care, on the nature of a future care technology service in Lincolnshire.
• Developed an understanding of what TEC is most appropriate for different needs.

The benefits are still being measured and continue to increase. The next steps to scale up the use of TEC across adult social care are now being considered by the Corporate Leadership Team.