Smart aids can help people live at home longer. The municipality stimulates the development and testing of such aids. The first 3 months they can be borrowed free of charge via the iZi Experience Home and lending points in The Hague. For example, Razia uses a robot to sleep better. And that also gave her a new best friend.

Esther (40) and Razia (38) got talking over coffee in the communal area of a Middin home. Razia has epilepsy and can't see well. 'I have tunnel vision. I see the world as if I'm looking through a straw.' Esther has been an ambassador for the iZi Experience Home for 2 years. This is an apartment where you can view and try out all sorts of technical aids. 'I actually jokingly suggested to Razia whether she wanted to try out the sleep robot,' says Esther. Razia was loaned the robot. It was a success. 'It's special to see what such an aid can do,' says Esther.

'Like someone is with me'

Razia: 'When I lie in bed at night, my head and chest follow the breathing of the sleep robot. And it gets slower and slower. That way, I fall asleep in no time. It feels like someone is with me, like I'm lying next to my mother, like I used to when I was a child. At first, I used to use pills to sleep. Now I can close my eyes and go to dreamland in no time. I feel better and wake up more peacefully.'

Esther and Razia have become good friends in the meantime. 'We often go for coffee or tea or eat together or chill,' says Razia. 'We also sometimes have a ladies night together. Then we listen to music and sometimes order something tasty. The only man who is allowed to be there is the cat.'

Living at home longer

More and more residents of The Hague, young and old, need care or support. At the same time, the staff shortage in healthcare is increasing. That is why the municipality is working with partners to make more use of smart technical aids at home. This allows people to live independently at home for longer. Think of a hip airbag that can break a fall or a watch that can sound the alarm.

Wondering if there are resources that can help you? Check out www.technologievoorthuis.nl/verkenner. You can also visit the iZi Experience Home at Steenhouwersgaarde 15E or one of our rental points in The Hague.