Telecare

This month the Wyre Senior forum focussed on Telecare with Janet Allcock from Lancashire County Council.

Telecare is a service using simple devices and sensors to monitor and support older people and help people with disabilities or mental health issues to live a more independent life within their own homes.It can offer piece of mind to families and carers by ensuring the people they care for gain an additional round-the-clock support service - making them safer than ever, with fast access to support should an emergency arise.
Some examples relating to personal health and well-being include:
A bed and chair occupancy sensor providing an early warning that the user has left their bed or chair and not returned within a predetermined time period, indicating that they may have had a fall.
A fall detector that automatically detects a serious fall and raises an alert with the scheme manager or at the response centre
A movement detector that can audibly verify and record the presence of an intruder or alternatively detect for long periods of inactivity
A pill dispensor can automatically dispense medication and provide audible and visual alerts to the user each time medication should be taken. If the user fails to access the medication, an alert is raised to the monitoring centre.
Environmental monitors can detect flood situations in the home, the presence of natural gas, carbon monoxide or smoke and extremes of temperature.
Safety and security features include:
A bogus caller button which placed by the door lets the user call for help if they are worried by an unwanted caller.
A small external safe to store door keys inside. The access code is known only to authorised people so that in the event of emergency, they will be able to get inside quickly without forcing the door.
Monitors for people leaving a building at unusual times of day or night. It can also detect if a main exit door has been left open and can be linked to external lighting to provide added protection.
Here are some examples of how Telecare can help.
Harriet is 49 and lives in Rossendale and suffers from progressive MS. Due to her condition, she sometimes finds it difficult to remain sat upright in her chair and has, on occasion, slid down and been unable to move until her carer visited.
A falls detector was fitted as part of the Telecare system, and since then, whenever the problem occurs, an emergency call is automatically made to the call centre and help is dispatched.
Harriet has since requested additional equipment including a bed sensor, which will automatically switch on a light if she has to get up in the night. This will help her see where she is going and reduce the risk of injury from trips and falls. The system will also trigger an alarm if she doesn't return to her bed.
Helen lives alone and has, on several occasions, been found wandering the streets of her local village. Helen has a Telecare wander alarm installed which is triggered by any attempt to leave the house. The operator then checks to see if Helen is OK and, if necessary, informs her family (who live locally) that she has left the house
For anyone eligible for social services support the Telecare equipment will be provided and installed free of charge. Depending on your financial situation there could be a weekly charge to cover call monitoring and response of around £8 per week, a small price to pay for peace of mind.
To find out more please contact Lancashire County Council on 0845 053 0009.