A former Plymouth City Council worker has launched a new business supplying specially-adapted mobile phones to the elderly and disabled.
After 15 years working in adult social care, Kevin Kodritsch has set up FTR Mobile Support Services (Freedom to Roam), which supplies easy-to-use mobile phone technology to increase independence among vulnerable people in the community.
The assistive technology, which is supplied by a major company, aims to take equipment ‘back to basics’ and overcome the feelings of confusion and frustration many people, particularly the elderly or frail, have with modern communication systems.
We are going to see people living a lot longer and not just getting older, but having additional requirements. This means there is going to be a huge market for assistive technologies which can enable these people to lead more independent lives
Speaking to BBH this week, Kodritsch said: “Most people just want to be able to make calls, receive calls and call for assistance if they need to, and they want to be able to manage the technology in a way that does not take much thinking about, programming or planning. It is about making sure that when they open the box, the phone is as ready to go as possible. We have created a service that takes it straight to the person.”
He came up with the idea after working in adult social care services and seeing the difficulties some people have with modern technology.
“The phones we source have fewer features than you are used to seeing on your Blackberry or your iPhone,” he said. “Anyone who can use a landline or get down to the shops independently probably doesn’t need this support. It is about being able to call someone at the touch of one button with none of the fancy technology that is usually involved.”
The phones themselves are supplied through a link-up with equipment manufacturer, Doro, and can be paid for via a unique monthly tariff. Kodritsch explained: “We have an agreement with a national telecoms provider which supports the airtime. As a result we have been able to produce a low-cost SIM card to get away from pay-as-you-go top-ups, which can often prove very costly. The lowest tariff is £3.95 a month and then the person pays for their calls and texts in arrears every month. They only pay for what they use and there is no chance they will be cut off and unable to make calls. This also allows the call audit trail and understanding of the costs to be clear and managed.”
It is not about showing off what technology can do, but making sure that technology works for the users
The service, which is currently available only in the Devon and Plymouth area, will shortly include GPS tracking technology, which pinpoints the exact location of the mobile phone at any given time. In addition, Kodritsch is looking into other possible solutions, including assistive technologies for patients when they are discharged from hospital or are undergoing rehabilitation in the community. And phones can be posted out ready to use, with the company working with care providers where possible.
Kodritsch said: “We are going to see people living a lot longer and not just getting older, but having additional requirements. This means there is going to be a huge market for assistive technologies which can enable these people to lead more independent lives.
“In the past there has been a trend that says ‘this is what’s on offer, take it or leave it’, but we are now becoming more aware of people’s individual needs and specifications and the equipment needs to be able to adapt to those. It is not about showing off what technology can do, but making sure that technology works for the users and that is what we are doing with the business. People love to be able to arrange this support on their terms at home and with people around that they trust.”
