A minister for the Welsh government has praised smart home technology after visiting two assisted living projects in West Wales.
Sarah Murphy, the Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing, learned about technology-enabled care at Aberystwyth University and the Penmorfa Centre for Independent Living in the county of Ceredigion.
Murphy said: “Smart home technology will play a crucial role in improving quality of life and independence for older adults while supporting our dedicated health and social care workforce.
“Helping people to remain at home for longer, with the right support, will provide a massive benefit in avoiding unnecessary hospital admission and delayed discharge from care.”
The politician visited the University’s Smart Home Lab, a connected bungalow set up in 2023 to test assisted living technologies like voice-activated devices and smart speakers.
Funded by the Welsh Government and Higher Education Funding Council, the bungalow can monitor room activity, appliance use and room temperature with further scope for energy or air quality management.
The environment can remind people to take their medication and have remote GP check-ups, supported by robotic assistants, full connectivity and a companion cat named Pixel.
The Penmorfa Centre for Independent Living, credit: Ceredigion County Council
Murphy also experienced the Penmorfa Centre for Independent Living which provides smart devices to help people access information and stay in their own homes for longer.
The Centre is divided into specialised areas including Technology-Enabled Care and Smart devices, Care and Mobility Equipment, and Visual Impairment Support.
Main image from Welsh Government: Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing Sarah Murphy with Dr Patricia Shaw, senior lecturer at the Department of Computer Science at Aberystwyth University, 'Sparky' the companion robot and other robotic assistance devices.