Innovative 'social prescribing' app to reconnect people with their community launched
A GROUNDBREAKING pilot scheme designed to reconnect older people with their communities
and banish social isolation is underway.
The MobileAge project aims to use specially developed technology to encourage older people to
be more active and combat loneliness.
The social prescribing app, developed by experts at Lancaster University as part of a two-year
Europe-wide study, helps older people identify opportunities to get out and about in their area.
Now, residents of South Lakes Housing in Cumbria have become the first in the UK to trial
MobileAge after Windermere-based firm Alertacall, which provides world class services
designed to improve contact with older people and higher needs groups, stepped in to provide
80 interactive tablets with the application installed and ready to use.
It allows people to find clubs, activities and volunteering opportunities in their area at the touch
of a button.
Crucially, it also provides users with all the essential information they need in order to go to their
chosen activity.
This includes the weather forecast and hours of daylight on the day, whether the route is
walkable and if it involves hills - all areas of concern that can be off-putting for people who live
on their own.
Professor Niall Hayes from Lancaster University led the team of researchers to develop the app.
He said: “It is fantastic to see the success of the pilot with South Lakes Housing. Better
connecting older adults with their communities is very important if we are to tackle the so called
loneliness epidemic.
“The app has been designed to be purposefully simple so should be easy to use, and family,
friends, neighbours and carers can access it on behalf of a friend or relative to help them plan
their weeks.
“It is designed to reduce cognitive strain by putting valuable information at the users’ fingertips
that would otherwise take 100 clicks to reach, or a lot of time and effort to find out in person or
by telephone.
“Seeing Alertacall integrate it into their service offering is very exciting. Alertacall already has a
strong offering through their range of contact services and the OKEachDay platform, and I am
confident that the MobileAge app will complement this.
“I look forward to working with them to further develop the app and roll it out to their nationwide
client base.”
South Lakeland was selected as the UK’s pilot area based on its ‘super-aging’ population.
Data shows 25.5 per cent of residents are aged 65 or over, compared to a national average of
17 per cent.
In addition, the area has seen a 36 per cent increase in the number of over 85s who live alone.
The tablets are now operational in the towns of Kendal, Windermere, Ulverston and Kirkby
Lonsdale.
Martin Cutbill, is a director of Alertacall, a firm providing technology that allows thousands of
people across the UK to live safely in their own homes for longer.
He said: “Alertacall has a close association with Lancaster University and the aims of the
MobileAge study are closely aligned with our own.
“Many older people want to retain their independence but living on your own can sometimes
lead to feeling isolated from your community.
“The MobileAge app has been designed to show technology can play a vital role in helping
people to stay connected to their community. By making it easier to find out more it will give
people the confidence to join in activities nearby.”
Martin added: “We have provided customised tablets across four locations so that residents can
try it out and we have been working directly with them and the housing provider to make sure
they know how to make the most of the MobileAge application.”
Gordon Sisson, from South Lakes Housing, said the app was helping residents to become more
active so they can take part in social activities and meet new people in their local area.
“We are really excited to be part of this innovative project which aims to reduce social isolation
and aid integration into community activities.
“We are always looking for ways to support the independence of our sheltered tenants and
MobileAge is helping to do that in an innovative way.”
Loneliness and social isolation are considered to be a major global health risk as people live
independently for longer.
The findings of the MobileAge study in South Lakeland will be used to inform written policy
briefs for the UK government as well as feeding into results from similar pilots across Europe.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
Alertacall provides systems to help people to live safely and independently at home for longer.
The OKEachDay platform was developed by Alertacall CEO James Batchelor, an inventor and technologist.
The firm is based in Windermere, Cumbria and has offices in Warrington, Cheshire.
This press release is sent on behalf of Alertacall by 32West Ltd. For more information or to arrange an interview please contact Caroline Barber on 07711 920 944.