A REPORT on how technology might be used to help people to live in their own homes, even when some aspects of health might be failing, was considered by councillors.

Coun Mike Barnes (Lab, Skircoat) introduced a discussion to Calderdale Council’s Adults Health and Social Care Scrutiny Board in Halifax Town Hall yesterday, to act as a starting point for a more in-depth review.

Board chair Coun Howard Blagbrough (Con, Brighouse) said it was a complex issue and key was the age demographic.

Coun Barnes said one question was “does the technology exist with the right answer?”

Coun Colin Hutchinson (Lab, Skircoat) said issues included getting best use from technology to help people with memory problems. And falls monitors, for example, relied on people putting them on.

However technology was used, he said, “we don’t want to replace human contact.”

Senior Scrutiny Support Officer Mike Lodge said some technology which could be utilised had been around for about ten years.

Ultimately, he said: “It is about people living in their own homes.”