Linda with her carer Angela and husband Paul
Are you concerned about the safety of an elderly or disabled loved one? Are you worried that they could have a fall, leave their gas turned on, go out of the house during the night or forget to take their medication when you're not there? If so, Telecare could help.
Telecare is an exciting initiative, which uses simple technology to help older people or people with disabilities feel safer in their own homes. There is a range of equipment available, which links up to an alarm system or to a carer. When a danger is detected an alert is automatically sent to a response centre who will then assist accordingly. The service provides peace of mind to people with family members that are prone to falls, have difficulty maintaining their own safety and have some level of confusion or memory impairment.
Telecare equipment includes smoke detectors, flood detectors, bed sensors, fall detectors, medication dispensers, epilepsy sensors, door sensors and bogus caller buttons. They are discreetly placed on household appliances, doors or walls or worn by the wearer.
When a sensor is activated it alerts the Leeds Response Centre, who can then make arrangements to help. This could be by contacting a family member, the emergency services or by simply contacting the service user to remind them that an appliance has been left on.
Councillor Lucinda Yeadon, executive board member with responsibility for adult health and social care said:
“Telecare is a really great service, providing choice and control to people who may not otherwise be able to live alone.
“People are living for longer, and are increasingly choosing to stay living independently in their own homes for as long as possible. Sometimes they need extra support to be able to do this safely, and Telecare can offer some great solutions and peace of mind.
“It’s not just a service for older people either. Telecare can help children and people with disabilities of all ages to achieve more independence. It offers vulnerable people more choice and control, helping them to be able to live their lives the way that they want to.”
An assessment is needed before anyone can have Telecare installed. This takes place at home and looks at whether the equipment could help to maintain a person's safety and wellbeing. Assessments are carried out by a professional from childrens or adult social care or health, such as an occupational therapist, social worker or nurse, to identify the specific needs of the user. It does not include a financial assessment. Telecare equipment can sometimes be provided free of charge or for a minimal rental fee. A decision on whether there will be a charge for the equipment will be provided before the date of installation.
Telecare equipment can reduce identified significant risks around the home, and is fitted by specialist Telecare technicians who explain how everything works on installation.
Case studies
Linda’s story
Linda is 43 and lives with her husband Paul in Middleton, with support from their carer Angela. Born in Horsforth, Linda describes herself as the middle, muddled child of a family of three sisters. She used to work at St Mary’s Church of England Primary School as a learning support assistant and has also worked in the local Morrisons supermarket.
Linda has mobility problems; and after a spell in hospital last May, Angela has been helping to care for Linda and Paul with a combination of equipment around the home, such as a walking frame, and ‘telecare’ – including medication prompts and smoke alarms. This gives Linda the reassurance of extra support.
Linda says that her children worried about her when she came out of hospital, but now feel much more reassured by the assistive technology in her home.
Linda really appreciates the help she receives from Angela and describes her as a ‘lovely carer’ and said:“I’m still upset about not being able to do as much as I used to, but the technology has made a lot of difference to me.”
Mr and Mrs A’s story
Mr A has lived in Bradford and Leeds and worked as a dental surgeon. For many years he enjoyed golf, swimming and cycling. Although he’s no longer able to play golf he still likes to visit the golf club and chat to his friends.
Mrs A came from Wakefield and trained as a shorthand typist. She loves children and eventually moved to Ben Rhydding to a live-in job looking after orphaned children.
The couple met through friends and have been married for 58 years. They have two daughters, one of whom is their main carer.
Mr A has osteoporosis, which led to a fractured vertebrae, and Mrs A has bipolar affective disorder (manic depressive illness) and dementia.
Both Mr and Mrs A have difficulties walking, getting in and out of bed and reaching up or down. This makes normally simple day-to-day activities, such as fastening and undoing buttons, very hard.
Mr and Mrs A were worried about coping on their own, and their daughter and son-in-law also became very concerned for their safety. One of the biggest concerns was that Mr A would fall and become injured, especially as he has problems with his balance and had already suffered several falls. There was also a concern that forgetfulness may lead to accident or injury.
Mr and Mrs A are now supported by various types of assistive technology, including a smoke alarm, heat sensor and carbon monoxide sensor. They also both have pendant alarms. Grab rails have been fitted to doors in the bathroom and in the bedroom, and they use walking sticks, a zimmer frame and a trolley.
Mr and Mrs A have said that they feel more reassured by the equipment in their home, and their carers have said that they feel better too, now that the couple have these safety measures in place. And the equipment has already come into its own. Mrs A recently left the hob on, with a grill pan on top, and the alarms and sensors installed ensured that the fire service arrived promptly.
Mr A has also suffered several falls and he and Mrs A have been able to call for help using his pendant alarm.
Julie Penkett, community occupational therapist for Mr and Mrs A, said:
“Both Mr and Mrs A have said that they really want to be remain in their own home, and the equipment has enabled them to feel more confident that they will be able to do this. Without it, they feel that they probably would have had to move into residential care. They are really pleased with the service and think it is excellent.”
Ends
Additional info
To hear experiences from people in Leeds and other areas talking about how Telecare is helping them live more independently in their own homes, visit the Leeds City Council website to view a selection of online videos http://www.leeds.gov.uk/Health_and_social_care/Services_for_older_people/Emergency_alarms_and_sensors__Telecare.aspx
If you would like to talk to Leeds City Council about Telecare or any other service that could help you or your loved one to stay living safely at home for longer, please call Leeds 222 4401.
For media enquiries, please contact;
Claire Macklam, Leeds City Council press office (0113) 395 1578
Email: claire.macklam@leeds.gov.uk
