Crookfur retirement homes embrace smart technology

Commsworld has partnered with retailTRUST, the trade charity for the retail sector and leading UK assisted-living provider, to roll out high-speed connectivity across the Hugh Fraser Retirement Estate.

This has transformed 120 dwellings into high-tech digitally enabled retirement homes, with each being fitted with top of the range smart technology and sensors.

Residents have total control of heating, lighting activation and doorbells – all managed using the Alexa platform – providing residents greater independence to control their home without having to lift a finger.

Residents can also benefit from a greater range of interaction as they can make telephone calls through the platform, as well as listen to music and the radio.

It has proved an invaluable tool for staff to support residents remotely and only attend when urgent, thus ensuring social distancing is adhered to and the safety and wellbeing of residents is retained.

Mags, a resident with multiple sclerosis, scoliosis and asthma suffered frequent injuries in her previous living arrangement, struggling to handle light switches and manoeuvre around the cramped space in her wheelchair.

She said: “I feel I have made the best decision ever coming to the Hugh Fraser Retirement Estate. It takes a lot of weight off my family as they know that I am much happier and in a lovely safe environment.”

Commsworld built an extension to its existing modern network and connected this to the Internet. This technology is used to deliver super-fast broadband services to residents and provide corporate connectivity to support staff.

Chief executive Ricky Nicol said: “We are delighted to provide this valuable solution to the residents and staff at the Hugh Fraser Retirement Estate in Crookfur.

“As it is the first time that a project of this magnitude has been carried out in the UK, we hope that this innovation will be a driving force behind establishing further smart home villages throughout the country.

“It is the residents that ultimately reap the benefits of a full and fulfilling retirement.”