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Telecare

What is Telecare?Telecare
What does it include?
What does it cost?
How do I get it?
Telecare GPS Location Devices
Find out more

What is Telecare?

In recent years, the range of equipment and services available to help you stay in your home with safety and independence has grown because of new technology.  There are now many different types of telecare and telehealth equipment, sensors and alarms (also known as "assistive technology").  They have different functions and they can work together to provide you with support and protection or help you manage a health condition more effectively.

The alarms may be connected to a mains power supply or some may be battery-operated.  Many work by sending a radio signal when triggered.  This can be linked to a 24/7 alarm monitoring centre or it can be a stand-alone unit that only sends a signal to your carer in the next room, for example.  

For services which also require contact with a monitoring centre, you will need a telephone line (usually a landline, although a growing number of telecare devices work with mobile phones). 

Carers should always seek the full agreement of the person who will use the services before installing telecare in their home.

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What does it include?

Telecare devices can include:

  • Personal alarms to trigger an alarm in an emergency. These can be used from any part of the home or garden and function in the same way as a community alarm.
  • Activity monitors  to monitor movements in the home. If the sensors do not detect movement for quite a long period of time, they can trigger an alarm call in case someone has fallen or is ill and cannot move.
  • Bed or chair-occupancy sensors are pressure pads which fit under a mattress or chair and are activated by movement.  For example if someone needs to get up in the middle of the night, these sensors can switch on (and off) a bedside light, a landing or toilet light.  They can also alert a monitoring centre if someone does not get up in the morning, or does not rise from their chair for an unusually long period of time.
  • Bogus caller or panic buttons installed by the front door or bedside mean that help can be silently summoned in an emergency.
  • Carbon-monoxide detectors can sound an alarm in the home if dangerous levels of carbon-monoxide are detected and can send an alarm to a monitoring centre (which is how they differ from normal carbon-monoxide detectors).
  • Epilepsy alert or sensor This sensor is placed under a foam mattress or mattress cover and monitors seizures so that in the event of a seizure, an immediate alarm call is activated.
  • Fall detectors  This is a device that is worn by someone who is at risk of falling.  In the event of a fall, it triggers an alarm call to the monitoring centre, or to a carer.  This can add to feelings of personal security, as well as enabling monitoring in falls management services.
  • Fire and smoke sensors sound an alarm in the home when smoke is detected and send an alarm to the monitoring centre (which is how they differ from normal smoke alarms).
  • Flood detectors give early warning of overflows or leaks which can become floods and fall hazards.
  • Overflow Device  These are specially designed bath or basin plugs, which will automatically release water down the drain if the water level reaches overflow levels.
  • Gas shut-off valves can shut-off the gas supply when used with gas detectors.
  • Enuresis monitors  These are used in beds.  Incontinence is immediately detected and a carer alerted so that there is no delay in making someone comfortable and no need for regular manual checking.
  • Medication management can provide reminders to take pills and automatically dispense them when they are due.
  • Property exit sensors can trigger an alarm if someone leaves the home and does not return within a set period of time, or accidentally leaves the door open.
  • Temperature sensors can detect if the property is too cold or too hot.
  • Telehealth home monitoring services can help support self management of a range of health conditions including heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and diabetes.

 

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What does it cost?

If telecare is provided by your Local Authority, there may be a charge.  Details of any charges will be set out in your Local Authority's charging policy.  You can ask your Social Work Department for a copy of this.  You must be told the cost of any service before it begins. 

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How do I get it?

There are a broad range of providers of telecare services, including local authorities, Health Boards, Community Health Partnerships and housing associations. 

You should contact your local Social Work Department and ask them about the process for applying for telecare.  An Assessment of your Care Needs may be undertaken but is not always required.  

You can also ask your GP, district nurse or health visitor for information about telecare services in your area.

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Telecare GPS Location Devices

GPS (Global Positioning Systems) Location devices are used to enable individuals with a cognitive impairment to continue to go outdoors more safely.

The system provides re-assurance for family, friends and staff involved in their care that the person can be located using the device, can raise an alarm and can be contacted at any time.

Technology for safer walking has the potential to offer benefits to people with Dementia/Learning Disability and their carers in specific circumstances. But practical, legal and ethical issues, and the concerns of people with Dementia/Learning Disability and their carers need to be considered and addressed.

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Find out more

Joint Improvement Team

For more information about the National Telecare Development Programme in Scotland and for information about Telecare in your area visit the following website:

Scottish Government Joint Improvement

or email jit@scotland.gsi.gov.uk.

Scottish Centre for Telehealth

The Scottish Centre for Telehealth supports Health Boards and Community Health Partnerships to progress telehealth initiatives. Details of Telehealth Projects supported by SCT in Scotland can be found by making contact with the following:

Scottish Centre for Telehealth
Foresterhill Lea
Aberdeen
AB25 2ZY
Tel 0845 337 3356
http://www.sct.scot.nhs.uk

Telecare Services Association

The Telecare Services Association is the representative body for the telecare industry within the UK.  Its website contains details of telecare products on the market and services in local areas. This facility is provided to help professionals to identify services for their users and individuals to identify services for themselves or their friends and relatives.

You can find details for a telecare service provider for your area or learn more about telecare products by contacting them or by visiting their website.

Telecare Services Association
Suite 8
Wilmslow House
Cheshire
SK9 5AG
Tel 01625 520320
http://www.telecare.org.uk

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last updated 17/04/2012