Helpful Hints with Home Technology: simple tech making a big difference at home
Helpful Hints with Home Technology is an initiative designed to help people use everyday technology to stay safe, connected and independent in their own homes.
Glasgow City Health and Social Care (HSCP) staff have been running information sessions in local communities to build confidence in everyday technology that supports early intervention and ongoing wellbeing.
Jillian Niblock, Senior Officer (Tech Team) said: “Our aim is to show that technology doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated, Helpful Hints with Home Technology is about giving people the confidence to try out small changes — like using a smart speaker to remind them to take medication, setting up voice commands to control lights or contacting family with just their voice.”
The technology explored in the sessions is low-cost, easy to set up and incredibly effective when people feel empowered to use it. From voice-activated assistants to smart plugs, sensors and video doorbells, the service offers practical advice on how home tech can support daily routines, improve wellbeing and, in some cases, even prevent emergency hospital admissions.
With a focus on accessibility and ease of use, the initiative is already making a measurable difference in the lives of Glasgow residents.
One recent example highlights just how life-changing this support can be.
An elderly woman, who had attended a Helpful Hints with Home Technology session, experienced a fall in her home and was unable to reach her phone. Fortunately, she had recently purchased two Alexa smart speakers — one for upstairs and one for downstairs — and had learned how to enable hands-free calling during one of our HSCP’s Helpful Hints session.
Using a simple voice command, she was able to call her daughter for help. Emergency services were not needed, and her daughter responded quickly, offering immediate support and avoiding what could have been a much more serious outcome.
Previously, the woman had tried to access traditional telecare services but was unable to proceed due to the requirement for a landline — something she neither had nor wanted. Thanks to the knowledge and confidence she gained, she found a more suitable solution using widely available consumer tech.
Jillian continued: “This is exactly why we created Helpful Hints with Home Technology, it’s not about expensive equipment; it’s about simple, affordable tools used well. In this case, the woman’s fall could have led to a prolonged period on the floor or even a hospital admission. Instead, her use of Alexa meant help arrived quickly, and a crisis was averted.”
The story underscores the potential for home technology to complement — and in some cases, replace — traditional telecare services, especially when people are supported to choose options that suit their lifestyle and preferences.
The service offers in-person information sessions with live demonstrations, along with online videos showcasing different technologies. It forms part of our HSCP’s broader mission to maximise independence and embed preventative approaches, helping people to live well at home for longer.
Early feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Participants report increased confidence, while families note the added peace of mind the service brings.
As demand grows for preventative and self-management solutions in communities, many people remain unaware of the simple technologies that could make a meaningful difference at home. Helpful Hints with Home Technology aims to bridge this knowledge gap with accessible resources and personalised advice, empowering more people to take control and stay independent.
More information and sessions dates or email helpfulhints@glasgow.gov.uk
View our video for more helpful hints.