Technology is reshaping every aspect of our daily lives, and when it comes to supporting an ageing population, its potential could be truly transformational. From smart sensors that detect changes in daily routines to apps designed to simplify communication and everyday tasks, technology is playing an increasingly important role in aiding independence, reducing risk and enhancing wellbeing.
As a leading and twice-rated-outstanding home care provider, SweetTree has always embraced innovation, not only in the form of digital tools and physical products but by staying at the forefront of new approaches to care. Aware that a rapidly evolving digital world can feel alarming and confusing, it focuses on supporting its clients to make the most of the opportunities that technology presents, as well as offering its own tech-enabled solutions to enhance quality of life.
SweetTree and Jewish Care Explore
Assistive technology is a particularly promising area, with new developments having the potential to dramatically enhance quality of life. However, for any technology to make a significant difference, it must be understood and trusted. That means building confidence and awareness, not just for individuals and their families, but for the care professionals supporting them too.
As part of SweetTree’s provision, it has partnered with Jewish Care Explore, which is doing outstanding work in this field. JC Explore supports individuals of all abilities to confidently access technology. From in-person group seminars to one-to-one sessions, the team provides practical advice on adapting everyday devices to specific needs and identifying innovative gadgets to solve challenges.
SOMA-t: Outcome monitoring for flexible, bespoke care plans
While outcome measurement tools are widely used across health and social care, they often fail to meaningfully influence day-to-day support. In response, SweetTree developed SOMA-t, a bespoke outcome monitoring and attainment system used across its care, training and quality frameworks.
SOMA-t ensures support is focused, purposeful and aligned with what matters most to the individual. Clients work collaboratively with the SweetTree team to define goals that are person-centred, collaborative, specific and measurable, realistic and achievable, and time bound. Progress towards each goal is measured using the SOMA scale, allowing even small or temporary achievements to be recognised, celebrated and learnt from.
For instance, a client called Billy expressed interest in cutting his lawn at home independently. To assess his progress towards undertaking this task, a 1-5 scale was used in which ‘1’ corresponded to the support worker undertaking the task and ‘5’ to Billy performing the task independently. Breaking the task into more manageable and measurable smart goals meant Billy could make progress towards achieving this goal, and was able to reach stage 4, meaning he could cut the lawn with some prompting by his support worker.
SweetTree Connect: Falls prevention monitoring system
SweetTree’s own award-winning assistive technology, SweetTree Connect, is a smart home monitoring system designed to support independent living for older adults and those with complex needs.
Using discreet sensors and smart plugs, SweetTree Connect learns an individual’s daily routines and flags any changes that might indicate a problem. The system works in three key ways:
Monitor: Working quietly in the background, it identifies early signs of concern, such as missed meals, disrupted sleep or unusual bathroom visits, and automatically alerts carers or family members.
Inform: Real-time updates keep families and the care team informed, while behavioural patterns help highlight any areas where additional support or equipment may be needed.
Protect: The system promotes safety in practical, intelligent ways. For example, if a client gets up in the night, the system switches on gentle lighting and sends an alert if they don’t return to bed within a typical timeframe, helping prevent the falls that can so often trigger a serious health decline.
Family carers of people living with dementia can gain peace of mind knowing they’ll be quickly alerted to any unusual changes in their loved one’s routine. For those living alone, any change in daily pattern, such as a missed meal or unexpected inactivity, triggers an alert, ensuring no one risks waiting hours, or days, for help to arrive.
SweetTree Connect is available exclusively to clients of SweetTree Home Care Services. Following a successful pilot, it is now entering a soft launch phase and offering early access to a limited number of families, free of charge – a unique opportunity to experience the benefits of the system while SweetTree continues to refine it.
sweettree.co.uk, 020 7644 9554