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SENSE – Using technology to support older adults with dual sensory impairment

Category: Demography, Science and Innovation

Who's involved?

Funding: Sense

Building on the AKTIVE project, the Institute worked again in collaboration with CIRCLE at the University of Sheffield to explore the role of the role of telecare and other assistive technologies in supporting older people with DSI to live independently in their own homes. The project, which ran from 2014-15 utilised the Everyday Life Analysis-methodology developed during the AKTIVE project.

The research focused on five research questions:

  1. What telecare equipment (or other assistive and /or mainstream technologies) exists which older people with DSI could use to support them to remain in their own homes and retain their independence?
  2. Which agencies and providers offer, arrange and / or monitor this support, and is there scope for extending or enhancing this type of provision, by widening access to it or extending the available range of products and services?
  3. What constraints do people with DSI experience in their everyday lives, and how could telecare and associated technologies help them to overcome these and achieve their own aspirations and engage in activities of their own choice?
  4. What barriers to the use of telecare and/or other technologies by older people with DSI exist, how could these be addressed, and what factors or circumstances would facilitate their more effective use?
  5. What challenges do older people with DSI face in leading independent lives and engaging in activities of their own choice, and how might telecare contribute to supporting them or the people / services assisting them, particularly in the context of any other health conditions or needs they may have?



  • Hamblin, K. and Koivunen, E-R. (2016). Keeping in touch with technology: How older people with dual sensory impairment experience technology in everyday life, Keeping in touch with technology conference, 10th March 2016, University of Sheffield.
  • Hamblin, K. and Koivunen, E-R. (2015). Technologies supporting independence for older people with dual sensory impairment: evidence from a new study of everyday life experiences, Kings Fund Digital Health and Care Congress, 16-17th June 2015, London.


Publications & outputs