Intelligent homes bring independence

Just how much can you remember about the last time you turned off a light? Precious little, of course. Now imagine the switch had been located three metres above your head. Everyday tasks can be incredibly preoccupying if you are elderly or infirm.

Recent research found that the design, quality and standard of housing is a critical factor in the way people aged 60 and over live. Over 80% of the older population want to stay in their own homes to live an independent life. They need housing that is designed to help them manage, despite reduced mobility and disability, and provides safety and security. Technology can not only aid the elderly and infirm, but also enhance their lives, by providing comfort, convenience, security and safety.

For the elderly and disabled, the value of living an independent life must be balanced against the need to provide a secure and safe environment. They need to be able to operate all of the home controls easily to ensure they enjoy their independence.

Part M of the Building Regulations, that came into force in May 2004, affects both domestic and non-domestic buildings. However, many builders worry that these new requirements, combined with the legal implications of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) as well as the British Standard 8300, will be costly and taxing to implement. In fact, a large proportion of the disabled population can be provided for very easily and at very low cost.

“In a conventional home, even simple controls, such as light switches and thermostats are often poorly located, while the levels of safety and security can fail to meet the unique needs of elderly and disabled people,” explains Sean Jordan of Schneider Electric Residential Systems and Solutions. “An intelligent home meets these challenges and provides a better quality of life by allowing people to have their independence in a safe environment.”

A modern intelligent home control system uses remote as well as static controls to allow elderly and disabled people to operate lighting, door locks and curtains without having to keep getting up or having to stretch. “Some systems, like the Intelligent Home Control (IHC) system from Schneider brand Square D, enable up to 16 functions to be pre-programmed and operated remotely from a single handset,” says Jordan. “These allow people to control various functions – such as opening or closing curtains and doors, switching lights on or off and activating an alarm – all without having to move. This aspect alone can improve the quality of life for many, especially wheelchair-bound individuals,” he adds.

With an intelligent home network a wide selection of sensors can be connected to the system to greatly enhance safety and security, especially when combined with modem capability. Various detectors, such as water, smoke, carbon monoxide or gas detectors, can be located at suitable places throughout the home and linked to the IHC system. “If a gas leak, for example, is detected, the IHC system will automatically switch off the gas at the mains, sound an alarm for the occupant and use the modem to alert various people for assistance,” says Jordan.

The system can be integrated with passive infrared (PIR) detectors to add further value and safety. These can alert the IHC system to switch on lights and sound an alarm at night if movement is detected by an intruder. The IHC system can also use the PIR detectors to switch on a pre-programmed set of lights; if for example, the occupant needs to use the bathroom at night.

Equally, IHC can raise an alarm if no activity is spotted. “This could mean IHC’s modem automatically calling for help if, say, the curtains were not opened in the morning,” explains Jordan.

The system is vastly different from alternative accommodation for elderly and disabled people that may depend on mechanically activated alarms monitored by a single carer for a number of households.

“One innovation that is especially beneficial in warden-controlled housing is the incorporation of water flow or leak detectors,” points out Jordan. “It can not only detect if a bath is left running, but can even monitor an undue number of toilet flushes over time, so that the warden can be alerted to check on an occupier in case they are ill.”

Visually impaired people can be accommodated by installing brightly coloured, illuminated, large and obvious light switches, such as those available from the Clipsal brand of Schneider Electric. These also enable ready compliance with the Disability Discrimination Act where, for example, communal areas exist in social housing blocks.

C-Bus, also from Clipsal, gives full control of the building’s lighting environment. It can help control lighting at the touch of a button, via a networked terminal in the same building or even remotely over the internet. Based on a simple, extendible and easy to install solution, C-Bus offers a platform to ensure building owners get the best out of their environment. C-Bus can also help reduce energy consumption by optimising the way lighting is controlled and can also, therefore, aid compliance with Part L2 of the Building Regulations.

The government’s National Service Framework for Older People aims to increase the use of assistive technology and promote independence. The IHC will do just this – helping both older and disabled people to achieve independent living through an easy to use, state of the art technological system. “Schneider Electric recognises the challenges faced by organisations involved in social housing,” says Jordan. “Compliance with legislative requirements such as Decent Homes Standard, Disability Discrimination Act and Part M of the Building Regulations must be addressed. Meeting procurement and planning methods such as Best Value and Egan presents additional requirements,” he adds.

Glastonbury House, a run- down local authority tower block in Westminster, demonstrates how regulations can be met as well as improving quality of life. Under a major refurbishment project to comply with the Decent Homes Standard, the IHC system was selected to provide lighting control and safety features to help safeguard the many elderly and disabled tenants.

On a recent visit to Glastonbury House, John Prescott, Deputy Prime Minister, described the project as a flagship one for innovative practices in four areas: the environment, social innovation, construction innovation and technology. He added: “Glastonbury House will be the UK’s first intelligent and green residential tower, clearly a truer, better building. It was exciting, well-liked by the residents; a sustainable community in a tower block.”

For more information circle the appropriate number on the Enquiry card or see www.emconline.co.uk

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