Equipment is provided to support the individual in their home and tailored to meet their needs. It can be as simple as the basic community alarm service, able to respond in an emergency and provide regular contact by telephone.  it can include detectors or monitors such as motion or falls and fire and gas that trigger a warning to a response centre staffed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. As well as responding to an immediate need, telecare can work in a preventative mode, with services programmed to monitor an individual's health or well-being. Often known as lifestyle monitoring, this can provide early warning of deterioration, prompting a response from family or professionals. The same technology can be used to provide safety and security through bogus caller and burglar alarms.
Another form of telecare often known as telehealth is designed to complement health care. It works by monitoring vital signs, such as blood pressure, and transmitting the data to a response centre or clinician's computer, where it is monitored against parameters set by the individual's clinician. Evidence that vital signs are outside of 'normal' parameters triggers a response.

Telecare is a service that enables people, especially older and more vulnerable individuals, to live independently in their own home.

Local service (South Gloucestershire).

All assistive technology equipment is installed and provided on loan free of charge. However, there is an annual fee for monitoring your Lifeline (this is £71.75 for 2010 - 2011) that can be paid in two instalments. If you are on a low
income you can apply for an exemption from this charge. Ring the Adult Customer Services on 01454 868007 for more information.

If you would like to get the Lifeline call the Adult Customer Services team on 01454 868007. They can arrange for you to be assessed. If you meet the criteria your assessor will arrange for the Assistive Technology equipment to be installed.

11/05/2011