NEW APPS & TABLET DEVELOPMENT

VIRTEX (VIRTUAL EXTRA CARE) HEALTH PROJECT

Looking Local has been developing an innovative approach for public service delivery for older people, with a focus on reducing isolation, connecting carers, family and friends and delivering healthcare efficiencies. We have now created a useful, connected, safe and trusted service, which is being delivered via a Motorola Xoom tablet; currently being trialled with a range of older people across the UK.

Virtex (virtual extra care) in its base state feels like a digital photo frame carousel. Services and messages are managed by a web based management system and the overall solution integrates a significant level of user centric design. Current services include: Messaging, Video Calls, Photos, Calendar, Public Sector Services and News.

Without needing to know how the device, VOIP, video conferencing or webcams work, without needing to understand tariffs or protocols, an older person can be connected with their ‘inner circle’ (family, friends, care workers, social services and healthcare professionals), wherever they are in the world. There are two integrated cameras on the Motorola Xoom, which allows the trusted circle to see the older person as well as their environment. This in turn leads to a range of possibilities in terms of remote healthcare, ensuring safety, improved contact, tackling isolation and managing public sector resources more effectively.

Whether it is self diagnosis, check-ups, medication reminders, or showing a healthcare professional the state of a non-emergency problem, the video call functionality could change the provision of healthcare in terms of the cost, time and effort on both sides.

This is a significant project in terms of the range of public service providers who work with older people. Looking Local will be publishing research and findings in early 2012.

HOUSING REPAIRS SMARTPHONE APP IN DEVELOPMENT

Following the success of Looking Local’s national ‘Report It’ smartphone apps focused on streetscene issues (potholes, grafitti, fly tipping, broken streetlights etc) launched in January this year, we have begun work on a housing app.

The Housing app will follow a similar approach in terms of usability and functionality allowing tenants to report a range of internal and external housing issues, as well as reporting anti-social behaviour and the ability to contact their housing association. The functionality of the smartphone such as the camera facility and GPS will be integrated where appropriate.

We are working with a number of partners to ensure the app reflects their needs, the housing app will be launched in 2012 and will be a welcome addition to Looking Local's suite of apps.

NEW VOLUNTEERING APP FOR ANDROID SMARTPHONE OWNERS

Looking Local has teamed up with volunteering website Do-it to deliver a new app for Android smartphone owners allowing them to search of volunteering opportunities across the UK. Whether people have a spare hour or a week, want to do something one-off or regularly, the new app gives access to Do-it’s one million plus opportunities.

Read more on this story here.