MORE recruits are needed for a £5 million ground-breaking ‘Internet of Things’ technology trial, which could transform the lives of people with dementia and their carers.

A total of 1,400 people are needed from across Surrey and north-east Hampshire, who have a diagnosis of mild to moderate dementia. They must also have a carer who is willing to participate in the study.

The trial, the first of its kind in the UK, is being led by Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and is part of an NHS drive to modernise healthcare for the benefit of older people with long-term health problems.

Called Technology Integrated Health Management for dementia, it will help clinicians to monitor remotely the health and wellbeing of people with dementia so they can intervene earlier to help someone avoid a crisis and unnecessary hospital stay.

It is also hoped the trial will relieve pressure on carers and help people with dementia to remain independent for longer.

The trial is funded by NHS England and Innovate UK and involves key local partners, including the Alzheimer’s Society, the University of Surrey, Kent Surrey Sussex Academic Health Science Network and six Surrey and north- east Hampshire NHS Clinical Commissioning Groups. Also involved is the Royal Holloway University of London and nine technology innovators.

The trust is looking for 700 people with dementia and 700 carers. Half of the people with dementia will be randomly selected to receive the technological devices. The remaining half will form the control group and continue with their care as usual.

People receiving the technology will have their homes kitted out with non-invasive devices, such as sensors, apps and trackers.

These will connect to each other via the ‘Internet of Things’ and work together to collect and analyse different pieces of information, which will be securely managed, about a person’s health and patterns of behaviour. The data will enable the devices to identify if there is a problem. If there is, mental health professionals will be immediately alerted and a decision taken about the action needed. This may mean a clinician is sent out to visit the person or a call is made to the carer.

Technological devices in the trial include sensors attached to objects such as fridges, kettles and beds.

These can, for example, detect if someone is following normal patterns of behaviour for eating and drinking or is at risk of dehydration and whether they are unusually restless at night. The technology will not replace any existing face-to-face contact with health or social care staff.

Dr Ramin Nilforooshan, leading dementia specialist at Surrey and Borders Partnership, said: “The technology is designed to alert us to any changes in behaviour or any changes in wellbeing that could signal someone is becoming unwell or that they are in trouble. For example, they may be developing a urinary tract or lower respiratory infection. We could detect the early signs/symptoms of those infections and successfully treat them at home.

“We know that people with dementia do not respond well to being in hospital – and that their symptoms can worsen in this environment - so it is much better if we can treat them before they need to be admitted for acute care.”

The Alzheimer’s Society, a partner in the trial, is recruiting 150 trained volunteers who will keep in regular touch with participants, offering their support.

In Surrey an estimated 16,800 people have dementia and the number is set to rise to 19,000 by 2020. In NE Hampshire, more than 2,500 people are predicted to have dementia by 2020.

Of the 10,507 people aged over 65 with a formal diagnosis of dementia across Surrey and NE Hampshire, 55 per cent are admitted to hospital each year.

Dr Helen Rostill, director of innovation and development at Surrey and Borders Partnership, said: “This is an exciting trial that could make a significant difference to the lives of people with dementia and their families.

“With a growing elderly population, it is right that we examine innovative new technologies, such as the Internet of Things, to see what we can do to help people live better lives in their own homes and help them avoid stays in hospital that we know they can find very distressing.”

• Anyone keen to find out more about the trial and register their interest, should go to: www.sabp.nhs.uk/tihm.