Power giant CLP is looking to help identify more elderly in need by analysing their energy consumption patterns through smart meters so as to enable social welfare groups to provide timely support.

The joint programme addresses public concern over cases in which seniors who lived by themselves and needed life-saving assistance had been discovered only after they had died.

The step up by CLP comes in the second phase of the Community Watch & Care Service pilot scheme, with the first starting in June last year.

That saw four social welfare groups join the scheme, which monitors the energy consumption data of about 140 elderly who live alone.

When the system detects an unusual plunge in the pattern of energy usage or other anomalies, it will alert the participating organisations to follow up with checks on the elderly.

Stephen Li, the firm’s associate director of transformation, said the programme had been very effective.

“The first phase of the pilot program ended in March of this year,” he said.

"During that time, we issued more than 2,800 notifications to frontline social workers.

“Based on our follow-up with the social workers, we found that the matching rate exceeded 90 percent. The program helps social workers provide timely support and assistance.”

Po Leung Kuk was among the social welfare organisations participating in the scheme.

Kyle Li, from one of its elderly centres, said many seniors were eager to sign up for the scheme as no additional equipment needed to be installed.

In one of the first-phase cases, Li said, an old man was found to have been hospitalised for chest pains.

“It wasn't a serious illness... but at least our colleagues could follow up on the situation, though, by visiting him at the hospital or offering him relief supplies. At least we could provide immediate support,” he said.

“Most of the time, the elderly would not think to notify the seniors' centre right away, and they might not have anyone to offer them support because they live alone. Once we receive the notification, we can respond and help right away.”

The second phase of the pilot programme, which will run for a year, was launched in August, and it will see the number of participating groups increase to 10 and cover 150 more households, including elderly couples and the disabled.

CLP hopes 3,000 elderly and disabled can benefit from the programme in the long run when the accuracy of the analyses is further enhanced and the interoperability with participating groups is smooth.