Challenge

Managing long-term health conditions at home requires more than medical treatment alone. Older people may also need help with daily activities, mobility, personal safety and social care services, leaving families to coordinate much of the support themselves. At the same time, increasing demand for care puts growing pressure on public services. In order to help older people remain independent without compromising the quality or continuity of their care, more connected and cost-effective approaches are required.

Solutions

CommonWell brought healthcare and social support together around the individual. Through a shared ICT platform, telehealth monitoring, social alarm, smart-home technology and communication tools connected professionals who had previously worked through separate system. This enabled care teams to exchange relevant information, recognise changes in a person’s condition and coordinate support more quickly. The services reached 400 users for at least 12 months across Milton Keynes, Bielefeld, Granada and Eindhoven. Each pilot addresses specific local needs- from COPD and chronic heart failure to hospital discharge and everyday independent living-showing how the same approach could be adapted to different care settings.

Results

CommonWell showed how technology could turn separate services into a more connected care experience. Professionals gained a broader understanding of each person’s medical and everyday support needs, while users and their families received greater reassurance that changes or emergencies could be identified and addressed. The pilots created practical evidence for expanding integrated care across Europe. By connecting existing services rather than replacing them, CommonWell offered a more efficient use of resources, reduced unnecessary duplication and supported older people in living safely and confidently at home for longer.