The project has the following partners: Surplus, Mextal, Sharecare, Rijp and Avans, and is aimed at several towns in West Brabant: Breda, Moerdijk, Etten-Leur, Halderberge, Zundert, Drimmelen, Roosendaal, Rucphen and Bergen op Zoom.
Video calling and domotica applications: handy and fun
BrabantConnect provides 650 elderly and chronically ill who live independently, but who require care, with digital services. For example, residents are able to use video calling to communicate socially with their children, but also in the event that something is wrong. The children are able to see their mother's or father's health via the camera. If an emergency situation arises, for example, when someone has had a fall, the alarm unit of care service provider Surplus is always at hand. Even the nurse is able to look inside the home from the care centre using the camera but only after having obtained prior permission from the resident. The alarm unit does not constantly monitor.
The BrabantConnect development project is not only limited to care. It also offers comfort and entertainment. The supermarket, bank, library; elderly and chronically ill people bring the outside world into their homes by pressing a few buttons. This not only offers social advantages but also helps to keep care affordable. Social and commercial partners happily invest to actively participate in this network where much attention is paid to the experiences and perception of the residents. The results are shared and distributed via several knowledge networks. The technology is PC based. A touch screen application is available for elderly with a fear of computers.
Key features
• Essence of the project: BrabantConnect provides the elderly and chronically ill with digital services.
• Strength of this project: There is an excellent balance between social results and a business approach. Much attention is paid to the experiences and perception of the residents, carers and healthcare providers. Using a 'train the trainer method', healthcare providers are informed about how to provide this new form of service.
• Due to the digital services, the timing of care is now in the hands of those requesting care and nurses. This increases its effectiveness.