NHS Direct (NHSD) and NHS Blackburn with Darwen Teaching Care Trust Plus (NHSBDTCTP) will, in September, be piloting an NHS Wellness programme to help prevent local people developing long term conditions. This new approach by NHS Direct is the only… Read moreNHS Direct's new wellness project first of its kind

And those two words are… ‘Police Approved’. Supra UK Limited, supplier of the most reliable key safes, has just announced the first ever key safe that has official UK police approval through the Secured by Design scheme. Those two words, Police Approved, change the way that responsible telecare services must think about client safety when recommending the installation of a key safe.

The new model C500 KeySafe is getting its first public exposure at a launch event in Taunton, Somerset today, which will be followed by eight more events around the UK between now and 13 July. (Follow the Read More link below for dates and venues.) The C500 KeySafe has been independently tested to meet the Loss Prevention Standard LPS 1175  – the same one that front doors, locks and other security devices have to meet – and is stronger, bigger, easier to set up and use and yet costs little more than the previous best selling model. And Supra UK has a generous launch offer for organisations that want to start using the new key safe quickly. More information in the press release. (PDF)

[Comments, particularly from UK readers, invited. See ‘Read More’]
One of the US’ largest for-profit senior community companies and one of the earliest to-market telecare systems both received some unwanted negative publicity this week. Senior Lifestyles Corporation, owner/operator of 70 independent and assisted living communities in 15 states, has been adding GE QuietCare to its apartments since early this year.  However, when QuietCare was added to their Lake Park Forest community in Fort Pierce, FL, the residents and families rebelled at the $200 per month additional fee, no opt-outs permitted.  All but one resident signed a protest petition and an ombudsman who works for the Florida Department of Elderly Affairs became involved. One resident’s son reacted with outrage, calling the

Who needs chips in pills here? The Center for Connected Health has announced the results of their six-month test of Vitality GlowCaps’ wireless medication reminder for pill bottles [TA 22 Jan and prior]. 139 patients with hypertension who were taking… Read moreWireless med reminder test improves compliance by 27%

Microsoft’s HealthBlog announces the extension of the HealthVault to Canada and the UK, the latter in association with UK-based charity Nuffield Health, a not-for-profit owner and operator of hospitals, sports centres, health clubs, etc. Given the apparent decline of interest… Read moreMicrosoft HealthVault reaches Canada and the UK

A ‘must read’ for this week – it may take 10-15 minutes – is an article in Fast Company magazine by Adam L Penenberg who subjects himself to a number of tests relating to oxytocin (the ‘cuddle chemical’) and social… Read moreDr Love: oxytocin explains growth of social networking and Health 2.0

Smart meters read and report your electricity consumption back through the grid – no meter reader person required. It is regarded as more secure than other means of data transmission and therefore a good candidate for connecting up telecare and… Read moreSmart meter telecare project (Scotland)