Telecare

Telecare is an exciting and innovative service which provides support to people in their own homes, with the help of technology and community response services. Unobtrusive and flexible, it is a remote monitoring service which can help transform the lives of those who wish to remain living in their own homes for as long as possible. It can bring reassurance to users who can now have immediate help available, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, at the touch of a button!

The project aims to improve the quality of life for people by increasing their levels of safety and independence, in their own homes, while enabling them to retain their privacy and control over their own individual lifestyles.

• What is Telecare?
• How does it work?
• Equipment
• Monitoring Centres
• Benefits of Telecare
• Obtaining Telecare

What is Telecare?

Telecare simply means the provision of support and reassurance from a distance, provided with the help of technology. Through a range of alarms and passive sensors which raise an alert at a call centre in the event of a potential problem or accident, Telecare can help vulnerable people manage the risks of living in their own homes, while still remaining as independent as possible. Telecare is receiving strong support from central Government who wish to see its much greater use throughout the country.

Herefordshire Council are piloting a scheme throughout Herefordshire.

Some key features are:

• Telecare is a remote monitoring system, which is tailored to individual service user's needs.
• A wide range of sensors and detectors designed to improve safety in the home connect users by telephone to a monitoring centre via a Lifeline base unit.
• The monitoring centres answer call alerts - usually within seconds of an accident or emergency. Trained operators contact and initiate the appropriate response service and liaise with users and relatives.

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How does it work?

Intelligent sensors are placed around the home and are remotely connected to a monitoring centre by telephone via a Lifeline base unit. The sensors deployed are installed after an assessment, and recommended to improve safety and independence, tailored to each individual client's requirements.

If a sensor detects a potential accident or emergency, or if the client presses the lifeline pendant itself, the Lifeline base unit alerts the monitoring centre within seconds. The trained operators assess the nature of the emergency and action the appropriate response. In many cases, this will be a keyholder nominated by the client him or herself, perhaps a son or daughter, a neighbour, or a partner. Often, a physical response will not be needed, once telephone reassurance has been given by the call operator.

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Equipment

Each sensor is remotely connected to the base unit and works by sending a radio wave signal. This means the installations are unobtrusive with no need for wires to connect the sensors to the base unit.

With the exception of the pendant and the bogus caller button, which both have a button that needs to be pressed, all the other detectors and sensors are passive. They are solely there to monitor and alert in case of an emergency, they require no involvement or operation of any kind from the service user.

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Monitoring Centres

In the case of an emergency or if a client simply feels unwell and presses the Lifeline button, trained operators will respond. They will have details of the service user's medical condition, doctors, relatives, neighbours and any other contacts. They will be aware of which sensor has triggered the alert (i.e. Lifeline pendant - fall detector - smoke detector etc.) They communicate using the two-way speech function on the base unit and can talk to clients through the base unit even if they are not in the same room.

The monitoring centre operators will act promptly by summoning the appropriate response, if needed. They will also contact relatives and neighbours and advise of the situation. They will remain on the line until help arrives if required.

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Benefits of Telecare

• It provides reassurance and peace of mind to the service users and their relatives.
• Equipment is non-intrusive and increases security and peace of mind.
• Systems and support are tailored to individual client needs, with constant new products and advanced in technology.
• Provides rapid response in the case of emergencies.
• Enhances the quality of life for vulnerable community members.
• Reduces hospital admissions.
• Increases safety and security.
• Enables independent living and, complemented by other support services, allows people to remain living in their own homes for longer.

How will I benefit if I am a carer?

Telecare can benefit carers by giving them the knowledge that there will be a response in an emergency (for example if a fire or the gas has been turned on without being lit), and this means they can leave the house.

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Obtaining Telecare

To obtain Telecare the person has to meet the criteria below:

• Supporting intermediate care
• Falls
• Supporting vulnerable people at home
• Enabling early discharge
• Admission prevention

Referrals can be made by anybody.

Is there a charge?

There is no charge for Telecare while you are trying it as part of the pilot. After the trial, you may be offered the opportunity to keep the equipment and there may then be a charge.

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