Social care organisations are being urged to use new digital technologies in adult social care to help reduce hospital admissions and allow people to live independent lives.

The innovations, which were created by 69 local authorities as part of a scheme that is being run by NHS Digital alongside the Local Government Association, include apps that can monitor the hydration levels of care home residents and prevent falls.

Also among the 49 innovations being piloted are apps that can arrange transport and voluntary staff to care for patients after they have been discharged from hospital.

Another innovation is a Cobot (pictured), which is controlled by a computer, worn around the waist and helps carers get people to their feet with minimum fuss. NHS Digital said it can “lessen the risk of injury and fatigue among carers, as well as reducing the need for two carers to work together”. The device has been trialled in the Isle of Wight and Hampshire.

“Digital technology can make a huge difference to people’s lives, and the projects funded through these programmes have improved social care as well as empowered people by giving them more control over their own wellbeing,” said James Palmer, programme head of the social care programme at NHS Digital.

“Frontline staff have worked incredibly hard to make these programmes successful and we now want to ensure these fantastic innovations can be adopted by more social care providers, local authorities and charities so that as many people as possible can experience the benefits they bring.”