The Welsh Government has provided innovation funding of £380,000 to support two projects utilising technology in domiciliary care.
The funding is part of ongoing government plans to transform how domiciliary care is delivered in Wales.
SBRI Centre of Excellence and the Welsh Government are supporting collaborative projects where the public sector, private sector and third sector are working together to tackle domiciliary care challenges with innovative solutions and services.
An initiative in the Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board and Bridgend County Borough Council area has been awarded a total of £180,000. The initiative aims to help people, including those experiencing a level of cognitive impairment, independently manage their medication using a digital device.
The YOURmeds device reminds people to take their medication at a programmed time, and sends notifications to an identified friend or family member if medication is missed or taken incorrectly.
£200,000 has been awarded to test a new domiciliary care delivery model in Torfaen, Gwynedd and Denbighshire.
‘From Time and Task to Fulfilled Lives – a new domiciliary care system for Wales’ aims to deliver a whole-system approach to bring together the health and care professionals managing and delivering care to the person in a joint approach.
The model is underpinned by a purpose-built IT system, which will aid the sharing of information and facilitate the model of care delivery.
Deputy minister for social services Julie Morgan said: "Social care and health continue to face increasing demands and challenges, including an ageing population.
"It is vital we adapt in order to deliver a system fit for the future. This includes making it easier for health and social care to work together in a joined-up way and for us to respect the vital role of family members and friends as unpaid carers.
"Innovation is a key to this and I am excited to see how these two initiatives can harness the power of technology to test if this will help us reach these goals. Both projects fit in with our objective in A Healthier Wales to help people to remain active and independent in their own homes for as long as possible.
Albert Heaney, chief social care officer for Wales, said: "I am always inspired by the new and innovative ways we enhance the way we deliver care across Wales to meet the needs of our communities. Domiciliary care is a key service provided by a passionate, committed and skilled workforce. Trials like these will allow us to understand how we best maximise technology to compliment the skills of our workforce."
