Portimão offers tele-assistance devices for the elderly living alone

Technology was developed at Startup Portimão

30 elderly people from Portimão who live alone received tele-assistance devices with the click2care system, a technology that was developed in the municipality that «allows you to accompany the elderly in their own home or anywhere else, providing active and healthy aging, in a preventive way» .

The beneficiaries of this measure "were signaled by the services of the Health and Citizenship Unit of the municipality for living in isolation and without a support network, with meager economic income".

The group is "being monitored in social housing, community centers and senior social centers in the municipality of Portimão and in the GAPI – Support Group for the Elderly."

According to Teresa Mendes, councilor with the responsibility for Social Action and Health at the Portimão Council, “the support that should be given to these people, who normally live alone at home, is essential due to the hectic life that family members have, the that prevents the necessary support».

“Therefore, this tele-assistance system becomes a great asset in emergency situations, allowing them greater proximity and a feeling of security”, he said.

In the view of the local authority, who delivered some equipment in person, "it is imperative that our elderly people can resort to quick help whenever something happens to them while they are alone and, for that, we have established a partnership with the company Tecnologias Imaginadas , who grew up at StartUp Portimão».

«The municipality of Portimão assumes in full the costs inherent to this very useful service for the 30 seniors covered in this first phase, having already signed a 24-month contract. We believe that the amount involved (13.702 euros) is by no means an expense, but rather an investment, because this rear-end support provides the appropriate social response to a gap that was felt”, stressed Teresa Mendes.

For now, there are 30 elderly people who have received this technology, but it is expected that more units will be made available, according to the needs identified by the municipal services.

"At this time, situations previously detected by the municipality's social services are covered, but as soon as new cases are signaled, we will certainly acquire more devices, as we think this answer is crucial - a minute more, or less, can do everything the difference for the lives of the people covered», said the councilor from Portimo.

 

 

«I have hopes that it will be a great help to my loneliness. Now I know that if something happens and I can't get to the phone, I can use this, because there will be someone to look out for me», considered one of the project's 87-year-old beneficiaries.

The click2care system, whose support platform was developed in 90% of StartUp Portimão by the company Tecnologias Imaginadas, allows the user, with just one click, «to make a phone call loudly, while it is sent to the click2care platform its geographical location'.

“From this gesture, the team that attends will have immediate information on the user's position and all the data previously loaded on their file, especially in terms of health parameters. In case of a fall, the device automatically makes a call, the same happening - through geofencing – if the user leaves a previously defined area», described the Chamber.

The device, «easy to use, has only one button, is light, water resistant and has high quality audio, as well as a battery whose autonomy exceeds 120 hours».

The platform is available to the Portimão City Council and «for institutions, family members or caregivers who identify themselves as an integral part of this project, defining various access profiles and ensuring the privacy of all information».

"It is also guaranteed an SOS service and the dispatch of means of assistance in emergencies, provided by specialized health professionals and with specific training in tele-assistance and screening," added the local authority.

The responsible for the company Tecnologias Imaginadas, Luís Costa, highlights the fact that, «through this system, whose operability has already been extensively tested, it will be possible to reduce the response time of the assistance means in more than 90% of emergency situations, also enabling emotional support for those suffering from loneliness, anxiety or depression, which will help to fill a need felt by those who provide geriatric and social support services».

On the reasons that led Tecnologias Imaginadas, headquartered in Almada, to open a representation at StartUp Portimão, Luís Costa reveals that he has a strong personal connection to this municipality, where he spent his big holidays during his childhood. Married to a woman from Portimão, the businessman has lived in Portimão for about ten years.

«StartUp Portimão has the ideal conditions to expand this project and it was with special pleasure that we created a small team here, providing work to two local collaborators. This municipal incubator allows us to enjoy the connection with the academic and business environment and we are very pleased with this synergy», he said.

«One of the main reasons that led the company to implement the click2care system in this region was the fact that there are many people outside the urban center, in more distant areas, where help is not immediate, as there are no people around to help them. elderly people who live alone», concludes Luís Costa.

 

 



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