High street technology
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Explore a range of products that can help you lead healthier, happier, more independent and safer lives.
Keep in mind these products have not been tested by NHS Highland, so use this information as a helpful guide to finding technology that could benefit you.
Smart speakers
Smart speakers can be used for multiple uses such as making shopping lists, reminders, timers, simple calling and texting listening to music/radio/podcast/eBooks, and to control other smart household devices.
Approximate cost: £30-£250
Some uses:
- Call contacts using voice only
- Receive calls from other Alexa devices
- Turn lights on and off using voice
- Appointment reminders
- Medication prompts
- Listen to MFR radio
Passive use: Alexa device can be linked to a family members Amazon account, which will enable them to drop-in at anytime and can also remotely control linked devices such as lights or plugs.
Reminder: Must be linked to an Amazon account and WiFi is required.
Flic 2 buttons: Set-up these buttons to initiate an Alexa skill when pressed.
Similar products: Google Home, Apple Home Pod
Talking Tiles
Record and play back 80 seconds of speech, music or sound effects through the in-built microphone and speaker.
Some uses:
- Communicate feelings, needs, or wants
- Control Alexa by recording voice commands
- Record reassuring messages
Approximate cost: £59.95 (pack of 6)
Reminder: Requires batteries. Alexa may not hear the command.
Video doorbell
Use your smartphone to monitor your front door in real time. Video doorbells have two-way talking and motion detection.
Some uses:
- Answer your door from the comfort of your couch
- Remotely answer your loved one’s door
Approximate cost: £49.99 - £89.99
Reminder: Requires a WiFi connection and link to smartphone app
Motion sensor light and torch
Light automatically switches on when movement is detected. Some will switch on automatically during a power cut.
Some uses:
- Prevent falls overnight or in dimly lit areas in the house
- Always have a charged torch during unexpected power cuts
Approximate cost: £15+
Reminders: Electrical socket needs to be switched on
Remote controlled sockets
Simply plug everyday items into these sockets and use a remote control to switch them on and off.
Some uses:
- Prevents falls by making it easier to turn hard to reach plugs on and off
Approximate cost: £20+
Similar products: Energenie, Dewenwils, Mercury
Magiplug
Magiplug is a plug that opens to stop a bath or sink flooding.
Approximate cost: £10
Reminder: There are different sizes to suit bath and sink holes. Doesn’t turn the tap off.
Ownfone
Very simply mobile that only accepts and makes phone calls. It can be customised with the name or photos of people you want to call.
Approximate cost: £85
Reminder: Requires an ongoing sim subscription. Plans range from £7.50 to £30.00 / month
Smart plug
Smart plugs allow devices to be switched on and off using WiFi and a smartphone app. Turn devices on and off from anywhere in the world, see usage and status, and set timers and schedules.
Some uses:
- Automatically switch off items after a set time
- Check if a loved one is using an appliance
- Remotely control appliances in the home
Approximate cost: £25+
Reminders: Requires WiFi and link to an app
Epi-Care mobile
Epi-Care mobile is a portable epilepsy alarm that works anywhere int he world. The alarm consists of a wrist-worn sensor which is connected to an app on a smartphone. When a seizure is detected, an alarm will be made to family or carers.
Epi-care mobile is sold with a smartphone with all software included.
Approximate cost: £1,195.00
Reminders: Sim-card is not included
We may be able to offer you a free 4-week trial of an Epi-Care mobile. Contact the Technology Enable Care Team at nhshighland.telecare@nhs.scot or on 01478 614 211 to enquire about a trial.
Doro 780X
Very simple phone that makes and receives phone calls and receives text messages. It has an SOS button that can send GPS positions to contacts.
Approximate cost: £135.99
Reminder: Requires an ongoing SIM subscription.
Tile Tracker
Helps you find items that have been misplaced. Simply use your phone to ring the item or to check its location.
Approximate cost: £19.99
Reminder: Requires link to a smartphone app. Search ‘Esky Wireless RF Item Locater’ for a product that does not require an app.
Smart lightbulb
Allows you to control lighting through a variety of methods such as switches, voice control or motion sensor.
Approximate cost: £10+
Reminder: Requires to be linked to a control device such as Alexa, or Phillips Hue hub (motion activated light bulbs do not require this).
The Kettle Companion
The Kettle Companion is a simple tool that can let you know someone is okay, by illuminating when a loved activates their kettle at home. This is signalled through a monitoring plug and communicated via a WiFi to a paired companion in another user’s home.
Approximate cost: £50
Reminder: Requires a Wi-Fi connection
Switchbot curtain openers
Use SwitchBot to open and close your curtains at the touch of a button or a voice command. SwitchBot is easy to retrofit on existing curtain rods and, with SwitchBot Hub, can be linked to Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri.
Approximate cost: From £85
RoboPet
Robotic pets are designed to bring comfort, companionship and fun to people who can’t have real pets. The pets have realistic fur, move, and make sounds like purring.
Approximate cost: From £60
Droplet Hydration
Droplet uses reminder lights and friendly voice messages to help people maintain healthy hydration levels.
Approximate cost: £35.00
Simple video calling devices
We also have a guide about that explores the range of simple video calling devices that are available on the market.
Useful links
Alzheimer Scotland list of useful products.
Carers UK website - using technology to support Carers.
Technology to support people with hearing loss.
Technology to support people with sight loss.
Technology to support people with incontinence problems.
Technology to support people with epilepsy.
Tech Silver blog on GPS devices.
Ask Adam - digital tool that helps you find useful products.
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