A potentially ‘ground-breaking’ new housing project that can monitor and improve the health of its occupants has received an official seal-of-approval from Highland MSP Maree Todd. FitHome is designed to enable people to live independently in their communities for longer and potentially predict and prevent episodes of ill health, such as falls. Developed by Albyn Housing Society, modular construction firm Carbon Dynamic, and NHS Highland, the Saltire Award-winning future home project has been co-designed by partners, potential tenants and health and care professionals using virtual reality technology.

Central to the concept is the use of various levels of ambient sensors that capture data and predictive health analytics, allowing people to receive support at home in their local community. This, in turn, could help prevent hospital admissions and enable early hospital discharge, delivering enormous savings for health and care services.

Commenting on the project, Todd said: “This project is an exemplary showcase of innovation coming out of the Highlands that demonstrates how cross-sectoral working in areas such as housing, health, care, construction, education, and training can lead to pioneering new approaches that keep Scotland at the leading edge.”

FitHome was inspired by an incident in 2008 when a tenant was found dead in his home, having lain unnoticed for over a year. In response, Albyn commissioned new research exploring potential solutions, and decided to develop its own system than could be adopted across its growing portfolio of homes.

Lucy Fraser, Head of Innovation at FitHome lead partner, Albyn Housing Society, said: “At the heart of the FitHome concept is a shared vision which states that everyone should have the choice to live safe and well in their homes and communities for as long as they want. What’s more, it demonstrates a collaborative approach to wellness by combining the principles of health, care and housing with modular home design and ‘Internet of Things’ technology – something we must embrace and take advantage of as we delve deeper into the digital age.”