Some 1,400 people who have or care for someone with dementia could take part in a first-of-its-kind trial designed to transform their lives.

The trial is being run by Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust at Surrey University and forms part of a drive to modernise and reform healthcare for the elderly.

The trial, called technology integrated health management, is funded by NHS England. It will help doctors remotely monitor the health of people with dementia so they can intervene early and help avoid crisis and unnecessary hospital stays.

Sensors that monitor a person’s daily routine, including when they open the fridge and make a cup of tea, will be placed around the home.

The sensors will collect information to form a digital profile of the individual. If the person starts to deviate from a routine a carer or doctor will be notified.

Dr Payam Barnaghi, who is leading the project, said: “This will all help us understand the patients.

“We can rely on data rather than a patient who might forget important things.

“What machines are good at is repetition work. The idea is not to replace humans with machines but, you can’t ask a carer to monitor someone 24 hours a day and come up with the same accurate results.”

As well as the sensors, a 360 degree camera will be installed in the home along with a number of other gadgets designed to make life easier for people with dementia.

Dr Barnaghi said: “The camera is great because if the sensors detect a fall we can have a good look around.

“We also have a Med eBottle that distributes exactly the right amount of medication every day and only that amount. Mistakes can be massively reduced and are much harder to make.”

Research fellow Dr Shairin Enshaeifar will show carers how to use the apps and databases full of the data collected by the sensors.

She said: “Research shows that people with dementia do not do well in hospitals.

“The data will hopefully show small discrepancies in a routine that mean carers or doctors can act quickly.”

To take part in the trial a person must live in Surrey or north east Hampshire and have a diagnosis of mild to moderate dementia.

They must also have a carer who is willing to participate.

Half of the people with dementia will be randomly selected to have the devices and the others will act as a control group.

For more information and to register visit sabp.nhs.uk/tihm.