Telehealthcare

What does it do?

Telehealthcare simply means providing support and reassurance from a distance through the use of alarms and sensors. It can help people manage the risks of living in their own homes, while still remaining as independent as possible and can give peace of mind to carers and families.

These alarms and sensors, located around the home, raise an alarm to either the Community Alarm Service or an onsite carer in the event of a potential problem or accident. If an alarm is raised at the Community Alarm Service then a customer advisor will contact the person to ask if there is a problem and how they can help.

To view the equipment available, please go to
http://www.southampton.gov.uk/living/adult-care/Help_and_support_for_independent_living/telehc/telehealthcare_equipment/

To find out if you are eligible to receive this service, please contact Adult Social Care.

Who it is for?

for older people

Where it is available?

Local service (Southampton).

What it costs:

A telehealthcare package will be installed, specifically to meet your needs. Costs vary but can start as little as £2.50 a week. You can discuss this in more detail with the care professional assessing your needs.

How to access or apply for it:

contact us as below

Additional information:

1. What are the benefits of telehealthcare?
• It can give you a choice in how your health and care needs can be met
• It can help you to remain independent in your own home for longer
• It can provide increased safety
• Systems and support can be tailored to meet your needs
• It can give peace of mind to your family and carers

2. Who is telehealthcare for?
Telehealthcare is for older people and other adults who
  • have specific long terms conditions such as dementia or memory loss
  • are faced with moving into a residential care home
  • are at risk of falling at home
  • require rehabilitation to enable them to return home successfully
  • have a sensory impairmenthave physical disabilities
  • have learning disabilities
3. Who provides this service?
The service is provided through partnership working between Southampton City Council, Southampton City Primary Care Trust Equipment store (who order the equipment) and the Community Alarm Service (who provide the response service)

4. How does it work?
An alarm system connected to telehealthcare sensors placed around the home will trigger an alarm if a problem is detected or if the call button is pressed. This can either be to an onsite alarm if you live with someone that looks after you, or to Careline (the community alarm service). You will have the assistance of a professional monitoring service where a customer advisor will talk to you through the base unit to ask if there is a problem and how they can help. If the customer advisor is unable to make contact with you, or if it is an emergency, then they will contact either the emergency services or a member of your family or carer.

5. How can I obtain telehealthcare?

You can obtain telehealthcare if you meet the community care criteria and have been referred through a care manager, or other care professional.

Your needs will be assessed and the most suitable equipment will be offered to you that best meets your needs. Your view and those of family members and carers will be taken into account so that you are comfortable with the equipment issued to you.

6. How much will it cost?
A telehealthcare package will be installed, specifically to meet your needs. Costs vary but can start as little as £2.50 a week. You can discuss this in more detail with the care professional assessing your needs.

7. What information will be required?
When a telehealthcare package is agreed, information will be required in order to store vital carer, family, contact, personal and medical information on the community alarm centre system. When help is needed from the response centre, the staff will be able to view the details and provide assistance quickly and effectively with the correct information. Details of 2 contacts are necessary for notification when assistance is required.

8. What equipment is available to help me as I've recently had a fall?

The fall detector or bed exit monitor may be helpful in this situation. Details about both pieces of equipment can be found on the telehealthcare equipment page.

Classification(s):

Info last updated:

16/03/2012
Provider
Southampton City Council, Civic Centre, Southampton, SO14 7LY