The Scottish Government has more than doubled the budget for a programme to support the use of assistive technology in public housing.
It said the funding for the Registered Social Landlords Adaptations Programme will be increased from £8.2 million to £20.9 million over the coming year.
This is intended to ensure more housing association tenants will benefit from the model designed to reduce hospital admissions and long term care costs.
Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville announced the increase at a visit to Bield Housing Association’s Tech Hub in Linlithgow.
People focused
“Scotland faces significant challenges as our population ages and it is preventative, people focused approaches like this that will help us deliver better outcomes for older people while making the best use of public resources,” she said.
Debbie Collins, chief executive of Bield, commented: “Investing in the right housing and technology supports older people to manage their health, stay connected, and live independently - reducing reliance on formal care and helping to avoid preventable hospital stays.
“We believe housing must be seen as part of the health and care infrastructure and that continued investment in digital solutions and accessible homes not only improve people’s lives but delivers public value by saving money in the long term.”
