A GROUP of 20 ‘Trusted Users’ recruited to test the technological devices being used in a major NHS study ahead of launch say they are already benefiting from the technology in their homes.

The Trusted User Group is made up of people with dementia and their carers from across Surrey and North East Hampshire, who have been trialling the technology for the TIHM (Technology Integrated Health Management) for dementia study.

Surrey and Borders Partnership set up the Trusted User Group to run alongside the main study and provide ongoing user feedback.

Marion and her husband, John Edwards, from Shepperton, who are part of the Trusted User Group, have been trialling some of the technological devices that are being used in TIHM for dementia.

Marion said: “When you are supporting someone with dementia, routine is extremely important.

“The technology we’re using in this study requires you to take some simple health readings every day, and we’re finding that the task of doing this is proving helpful in reinforcing these much needed daily routines.

“I think one of the main attractions of this study is that it can alert you to potential health problems, before they become too serious, which I hope will help us to avoid A&E.

“It also provides you with peace of mind when you have to go out and leave the person you are caring for in the home.”

John added: “I think the technology being used in this study could be extremely useful for people with dementia. We know someone who could not get a carer so they had to stay in hospital for longer than they needed to.

“If they had this sort of technology, they would have been able to go home much sooner. I am hoping this technology will keep me out of hospital and away from the doctor.”