The new funding will pay for 'telecare' systems – a general term for home sensors and alarms, linked via telephone lines to community alarm centres.
"Telecare technology is for use mainly by older people and their carers as well as other vulnerable people," says Councillor Bill Bentley, the Council’s lead cabinet member for adult social care.
"Whilst telecare is not right for everyone, it can help some people live independently in their own homes. We are working with our partners in health, housing and the voluntary sector to decide the best use of this Department of Health grant and identify equipment suppliers. The important thing is that it is used to help people maintain their independence and avoid hospital admission.”
The equipment is likely to include items such as falls detectors, wandering sensors, and bed and chair occupancy sensors. A falls detector, for example, can automatically call the monitoring centre if someone has a fall at home. The monitoring centre staff can then talk to the person and call appropriate services.
Staff will discuss the options with users who have been assessed as having particular needs. Equipment should be available from the autumn.
Further information
The Preventative Technology Grant from the Department of Health is for £922,000 over two years.
Reference:
1006
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