Adult social care

Assistive living technology (telecare)

 

Assistive living technology helps you to live independently in your own home. Knowing help is always available can put your mind at ease, as well as making you feel safe.

How a telecare alarm works

A telecare alarm is a pendant that you can wear on your wrist, around your neck, or just keep close to you. If you need help you can push the button on your pendant and this will put you through to our 24-hour monitoring centre. When your alarm goes off we'll call to check what's wrong and find out the support you need.

If we can’t hear you, or you don’t answer our call, we'll get in touch with your nominated contact and ask them to check on you. If we can't contact them, we'll come out to make sure you're safe. In urgent situations we'll also call the emergency services on your behalf.

Remote monitors

In addition to the alarm pendant we offer a range of remote monitors that automatically raise an alert if you're at risk in your home. These can alert us to:

  • fire
  • carbon monoxide
  • extreme changes in temperature
  • a fall in your home
  • floods
  • bogus callers

The available equipment also includes:

  • medication reminders
  • door sensors
  • bed and chair sensors

Benefits of a telecare alarm

  • Instant response - we'll respond to your call and get the help you need, when you need it.
  • Personal service - we offer a friendly and dignified service.
  • We won't leave you - we'll make sure that help arrives.
  • Complete reassurance - a 24-hour link to the monitoring centre.
  • Easy installation - we'll fit and demonstrate the equipment at a convenient time for you.

Help via your mobile phone

You can also receive our monitoring service via your own mobile phone, either as an add-on to telecare, or we can set up a speed dial for you. This will give you peace of mind knowing you can contact someone if you need help, whether you're at home or out and about.

How much it costs

The service costs from £3.24 per week using your own mobile phone, or from £4.71 per week if you have an alarm unit installed by us (for one person). This gives you a continuous 24-hour monitoring and response service. This should give you peace of mind that someone's always there to answer and respond if needed. There's no extra charges for the installation or maintenance of your equipment.

Packages

You can read about our range of packages below. We can talk you through a suitable package and how much your individual package will cost when you get in touch with us.

Safe and secure at home: £4.71 to £4.99 a week

Lifeline alarm unit

An alarm pendant and unit if you feel vulnerable as a result of an accident or because you live alone. The alarm unit communicates with our monitoring centre to promote your wellbeing and alerts us if you need help.

Smoke detector

The smoke detector will alert us when smoke is detected in your home. We'll attempt to call you first to make sure the alert wasn't triggered by an incident (such as burning toast) prior to contacting the fire and rescue service. This offers support if you worry about being able to hear your smoke alarm or where mobility/memory issues might impair your ability to take the appropriate action in an emergency.

Bogus caller button

This button is fixed next to the main access door of your home. When someone comes to the door that you’re concerned about, press the button and we can silently listen into the conversation and contact your next of kin or the emergency services if needed.

Carbon monoxide detector

This detects early indications of carbon monoxide. These detectors are usually installed in properties that have old heating systems and appliances which may be at risk of emitting carbon monoxide.

Safe and well at home with medication support: £5.88 a week

Alarm unit

The alarm unit provides additional support by helping to remind you to take your medication. It has the ability to play pre-recorded messages, which can be recorded by a member of your family, a friend or a carer. It can also be used to remind you of day centre visits, hospital appointments and more.

All referrals for medication/memory reminders must come from a professional, eg: GP, Memory Team or social worker.

Falls package: £5.32 a week

Lifeline alarm unit

An alarm pendant and unit if you feel vulnerable as a result of an accident or because you live alone. The alarm unit communicates with our monitoring centre to promote your wellbeing and alerts us if you need help.

Smoke detector

The smoke detector will alert us when smoke is detected in your home. We'll attempt to call you first to make sure the alert wasn't triggered by an incident (such as burning toast) prior to contacting the fire and rescue service. This offers support if you worry about being able to hear your smoke alarm or where mobility/memory issues might impair your ability to take the appropriate action in an emergency.

Bed sensor

The bed sensor is placed under your mattress and times are set between when you normally go to bed at night and get up in the morning. If you get out of bed during these times and don't return within a set time, an alert is sent to our monitoring centre and we'll call you to check on you. We can also attach a sensor to a bedside lamp if required, to reduce the risk of falls.

Extras that can be added to your package at no extra cost

Fall detector

Fall detectors are worn on your wrist and will be activated by impact followed by inactivity. During this time the detector will bleep, giving you a chance to cancel the alarm call. If the call is not cancelled, an alarm alerts us at our monitoring centre. This is particularly useful if you fall regularly or have a condition where falling might occur without prior warning due to certain conditions, for example, from previous head injuries or epilepsy.

Motion sensor

The motion sensor can be used to detect activity as part of the overall package, or installed as a virtual sensor to meet specific needs in your home. 

Memory package: £5.88 a week 

Alarm unit

An alarm pendant and unit if you feel vulnerable as a result of an accident or because you live alone. The alarm unit communicates with our monitoring centre to promote your wellbeing and alerts us if you need help.

Smoke detector

The smoke detector will alert us when smoke is detected in your home. We'll attempt to call you first to make sure the alert wasn't triggered by an incident (such as burning toast) prior to contacting the fire and rescue service. This offers support if you worry about being able to hear your smoke alarm or where mobility/memory issues might impair your ability to take the appropriate action in an emergency.

Bed sensor

The bed sensor is placed under your mattress and times are set between when you normally go to bed at night and get up in the morning. If you get out of bed during these times and don't return within a set time, an alert is sent to our monitoring centre and we'll call you to check on you. We can also attach a sensor to a bedside lamp if required, to reduce the risk of falls.

Extras that can be added to your package at no extra cost

Property exit sensor

The property exit sensor will alert us if you exit your house at an inappropriate time of the day.

Temperature extremes sensor

The temperature extremes sensor will alert us if high or low temperatures are detected, or if there's a rapid rise in temperature in your home. This sensor is usually fitted in the kitchen.

Flood detector

This provides an early warning of potential floods. It's often placed under the sink in the bathroom and alerts us if it detects flood water.

Carbon monoxide detector

This detects early indications of carbon monoxide. These detectors are usually installed in properties that have old heating systems and appliances which may be at risk of emitting carbon monoxide.

User reminders

These are useful if you need a prompt for everyday activities. For example, to take your medication or lock your doors. Messages will need to be recorded, preferably by your family, friends or carers. The unit announces "reminder” and bleeps; you'll then need to press the green key to play the reminder message.

All referrals for medication/memory reminders must come from a professional, eg: GP, Memory Team or social worker.

Motion sensor

The motion sensor can be used to detect activity as part of the overall package, or installed as a virtual sensor to meet specific needs in your home.

 

How to apply

If you'd like a demonstration of the service, call us on (01226) 775671. We can visit you at home or a place of your choice, at a time that's convenient for you.

To apply for telecare now, fill in our online form. We'll then contact you within one working day.

Professional referrals

If you're a professional you can refer a client for assistive living technology by filling on our client referral form. You can find further supporting information in our telecare referral guide.