A staged example of a Telecare product in use in a home.

11 September 2007

High-Tech Telecare Service launched to support people at home.

A PIONEERING new service that uses high-tech devices and sensors to monitor and support older people and those with disabilities at home is being rolled out across the county.

The Lancashire Telecare Service has been developed and is provided in partnership with district councils, housing associations and the NHS following a Government Preventative Technology Grant of £1.7m.

Telecare uses a range of sensors in the home to monitor a person's wellbeing and help manage risks to prevent accidents and emergencies (for example, falling, flooding, fire, gas leak etc).

Every sensor is linked to a radio (wireless) home hub unit, which sends an emergency call through to one of four local monitoring centres, which is manned 24 hours a day, seven days a week, if the sensors are activated.

Trained operators are on hand to assess the situation and send out appropriate help if necessary. This could mean contacting the emergency services, a mobile response service, a warden or nominated relative, friend or neighbour.

The service is easy to install via a normal telephone line and offers peace of mind and reassurance for individuals, their family or carers.

The sensors, when installed, can monitor a variety of household appliances and detect if there is a problem in the home such as when:
- a person has fallen and needs assistance, but is unable to call for help
- a person wanders outside the home at an inappropriate time of the night
- taps have been left on unattended
- the gas has been left on, or if there is a build up of carbon monoxide from a faulty gas boiler
- parts of the home are too hot (fire or cooker left on) or too cold (heating not on during winter)

The more familiar equipment includes smoke, natural gas and carbon monoxide detectors, alert pendants, pull cords and fall detectors. Other gadgets include motion sensors, flood detectors, chair-occupancy and bed monitors, pressure mats, bogus caller buttons and medication dispensers. Devices can be installed and mixed in a variety of flexible packages.

The Lancashire Telecare Service was officially launched this week by County Councillor Chris Cheetham, cabinet member for Adult & Community Services, and Jacqui de Rose, Group Chief Executive of Progress Housing Group at the council's annual carers' conference.

County Councillor Chris Cheetham, said:
"Most people naturally want to stay in their own home and remain independent for as long as possible. For older people, in particular, sometimes there comes a time when you need extra support at home. This could be a consequence of a bad fall, recent discharge from hospital after an illness and resulting lack of confidence to manage on your own.

"Advances in technology mean we are now able to install a variety of electronic devices and sensors designed to provide constant monitoring of the home environment and the well-being of the person living there 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

"Telecare Services help provide support, reassurance and activate an early response if someone needs urgent assistance. It is designed to support care in the community and supplement existing social care packages. It can also prove a reassurance and peace of mind for relatives."

Jacqui de Rose, Group Chief Executive, Progress Housing Group, said:
"New Progress has over 20 years experience in providing Lifeline services and we currently help over 4500 customers live independently in their own homes. We are delighted that, with the advent of new technology, we can now make a huge difference to even more people's lives. Telecare is a significant step forward in increasing the option of independent living for older and vulnerable people who wish to stay in their own homes. It is also a considerable development in providing partnership working for health, housing and social services."

The county council has so far trained over 1,300 staff from its social services teams, the NHS, district councils and the voluntary sector in the referral and issue of Telecare. Presentations have also been made to a variety of groups representing carers and other interested groups. Telecare devices have been installed in over 200 households across the county to date.

People can receive the service directly on a private self-funding basis or be referred by adult social care services, occupational therapists and community nurses, district councils and housing associations. The service is provided following an assessment.

The service will be available free of charge to many people who are currently eligible for social services as part of their social care package to supplement their existing care provision such as home help. This will depend, however, on the individual's financial circumstances.

If, following a social care assessment, an individual does not meet the criteria, the Telecare equipment can still be installed and provided on lease from the local service provider. The Telecare Service involves full installation of equipment, monitoring, maintenance and the emergency response service. In addition, local wardens visit the user every month to check the monitors are working and the person is comfortable using the equipment.

For more information visit the Lancashire Council website by clicking here (an external website will open in a seperate window) or contact your local social services office or your local Telecare Service provider:

Lancaster district - Lancaster City Council - tel. 01524 582929
Fylde, Wyre, Preston, South Ribble and Chorley - New Progress Housing - tel. 01772 436756
Ribble Valley, Pendle, Burnley, Hyndburn and Rossendale - Housing Pendle - tel. 01282 873767
West Lancashire - West Lanacshire District Council - tel. 0800 566 666

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