Telecare

Telecare provides support to people in their own homes by using monitoring technology. The use of telecare sensors may be part of a package which can provide support for people with illnesses such as dementia, or people at risk of falling.

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.

The Herefordshire Telecare Service 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.

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 liaised with users and relatives.
• Other standalone systems can enable a carer to be alerted directly to an emergency in the home by a short range pager alert.

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How does it work?

Intelligent linked sensors are placed around the home and are remotely connected to a monitoring centre by telephone via a base unit. The sensors that will be required are decided upon following an assessment to establish risks and requirements in the home, and recommended to improve safety and independence.

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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 any manual triggers that are placed around the home, all the sensors are passive. They are solely there to monitor and alert in case of an emergency.

Monthly checks and battery changes

Some telecare equipment requires testing each month by the client or by emergency responders supporting the service. This involves activating the manual triggers or sensors by pressing call buttons on them and explaining to the monitoring centre that a test call is being made.

Some sensors require regular battery changes and the Telecare support workers will need to ensure that this can be carried out by clients or emergency responders before these sensors can be provided.

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Monitoring Centres

Each telecare system is linked to a secure computer system which holds details about service users. These include names and contacts of family members, GPs and other professionals as well as current health issues and risks. When an alarm is activated, the computer automatically displays the service user's details, allowing the operator to act quickly and effectively. Service users are also asked to nominate who they would like to be contacted in the case of an emergency, if they need assistance or if their alarm is activated and they are not responding to the operator.

When an alarm call is received at the monitoring centre:

• The system will immediately start dialling the monitoring centre. The base unit will beep and flash to reassure that the system has been activated.
• The base unit will act as a hands-free telephone allowing the operator to answer the call through the loud speaker on the unit.
• The base unit contains a powerful microphone so that clients are able to talk to the operator and explain what the problem is even if they are some distance away from it.
•  The operator will be able to see client's details on the computer screen and will arrange assistance for them by telephoning  emergency responders or contacting the emergency services as appropriate.

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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.
• Systems and support are tailored to individual client needs. 
• 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 and this means they can leave the house. 
• A stand-alone system can allow a carer to carry out activities elsewhere in the house or garden, secure in the knowledge that they will be alerted if an incident arises.

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Obtaining Telecare

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

• Falls prevention - the person must have a history of falls requiring emergency assistance.
• Admission prevention - without telecare, there would be admission to residential or nursing care. In the shorter term, there may be a need for hospital admission.
• Facilitating discharge - provision of telecare will enable the person to be discharged safely to their own home.
• Intermediate care - provision of telecare as part of an overall intermediate care programme. In general, such a person will have a physical or cognitive impairment which renders them unable to recognise or respond to a dangerous situation. 
• Persons who are able to raise an alert by using a manual trigger, such as a pendant alarm, should be directed to community alarm provision (see below).

What to do if telecare is not for you:

If, following an assessment you are not eligible for the telecare service, or feel that the service is not suitable for you at this time, another option available to you is a community alarm service.

These services are available to anyone who feels at risk in their own home because of age, disability, isolation, illness or vulnerability.

What is a community alarm service?

A community alarm service is an alarm unit connected to the telephone line. The alarm unit has a built in button, which you press to obtain assistance, alternatively the alarm can be activated by a pendant which is worn around the neck or on a wrist band. The range of the pendant allows use around the house and garden. The Telecare team will signpost those requiring a community alarm to relevant providers in the area.

Is there a charge?

Linked service requirements are:

• Modern telephone socket and working land line
• Mains electrical socket - ideally within 4 feet of the telephone socket and on the same wall.
• Key holders / provision of access to property in emergency.

A national insurance number is required.

There is currently no charge for Telecare. However, this could change in the future. Service users will be kept informed of any changes which may affect them.

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