Tunstall Heads up €12 million European SOPRANO Project to Support Independent Living

European universities, public bodies and industry leaders combine expertise to develop next-generation technology to support older people

[ClickPress, Mon Feb 05 2007] Tunstall, the leading provider of telecare and telehealth solutions, is heading up a €12 million European health and social care project aimed at supporting older people in their own homes.

The Service Orientated Programmable Smart Environments for Older Europeans (SOPRANO) project is part-EU funded and will develop affordable, smart IT-based assisted living services aimed at promoting independence for older people, improving quality of life and addressing the issue of an ageing population across Europe.

The SOPRANO project will run for three and a half years and combines the expertise and knowledge of over 20 partners from six European countries, including university research institutes, public bodies and industry experts. The project will demonstrate how telecare technology, IT and mobile communications can be harnessed to develop new community-based models of care and support.

Led by Tunstall, the research will seek to develop new ways of integrating assistive technology, telecare and telehealth solutions into users’ homes to provide co-ordinated and proactive assistance. It will also investigate the motor, sensory and cognitive difficulties experienced by older people and the most effective vision, voice or sensory-based means of communicating with users.

By integrating assistive technology with advanced telecare and telehealth solutions, SOPRANO will develop a fully networked home environment. Integrated appliances and devices will support users in carrying out everyday activities, and advanced telecare and telehealth solutions will monitor health and well-being and ensure assistance is provided when required.

Mike Hodges, Research and Development Director at Tunstall said: “Against a background of accelerating demographic ageing across Europe, the latest telecare and telehealth solutions will play a pivotal role in helping to relieve some of the growing pressure on healthcare providers. Tunstall is proud to be leading this cutting-edge project which is addressing these key issues.

“The low-level, round-the-clock care provided by telecare technology such as this offers a cost-effective alternative to traditional care, while also ensuring users get the support they need in the familiarity of their home environment.”


About Tunstall
Tunstall is the leading provider of telecare and telehealth solutions, with over 2.5 million users globally. As the leader in the majority of major healthcare markets, including the UK, Germany, France and Australasia, Tunstall provides technology, expertise and advice to millions of people enabling them to lead independent more fulfilling lives. The Tunstall brand is recognised for the value and support the company offers to both vulnerable and older people, and those living with long term conditions: helping them to stay living within their own communities. For more information on how telecare can improve quality of life, visit www.tunstall.co.uk


Tunstall Contact
Emma Roper
01977 661234
e_roper@tunstall.co.uk


Press Contact
Context
Craig Coward or Luke Ford
01625 511966
Tunstall@contextpr.co.uk