Tech that could make ageing easier on trial

A WALKER housing block has become a “living lab” designed to promote healthy ageing and the cutting-edge technology that will help people to achieve that.

- By SAM VOLPE

Whether it’s lighting that reflects the human circadian rhythm or an innovative chat platform helping older people stay connected, the idea is to find novel ways to help make getting older easier.

Housing association Bernicia is working with the Internet of Caring Things (IoCT) programme on the scheme, which it is hoped will help the North East as we face “urgent population ageing challenges”.

The “longevity home” is now in place at Walker's Grasmere House. The IoCT idea is to use technology to find innovative ways of providing care and support to people in the region and more widely. It will be there until September 30 and will, bosses said, be “a dynamic testbed for future living”.

The IoCT is part-funded by the North East Combined Authority and forms part of the Newcastle University-based National Innovation Centre for Ageing.