Telecare, which uses IT to monitor vulnerable people in their own homes, will play a big part in helping older and disabled people to continue living independently at home, according to a recent Government Green Paper. But in Bristol, the use of telecare equipment and services, which are linked to a call centre, is already well under way and benefiting many people’s lives. Councillor Bev Knott, Cabinet Member for Care and Neighbourhoods, said: “Bristol City Council is committed to helping older people to live in their own homes as independently as possible for as long as possible as is their wish.

Results show it has reduced demands on carers and helped them manage their role. It is also proving a cost- effective way of delivering care services.

The launch of the assistive technology and telecare service follows a number of successful pilots between 2006 and 2008 which found that the extra help was overwhelmingly welcomed by those benefiting from it and by their carers.

Telecare equipment links to a call centre. If an incident occurs, a message is sent via the person’s phone line and help can be called quickly. The simplest form of telecare is a pendant alarm which can be pressed to call for help.

Assistive technology can help with a range of problems including:

• Contacting carers – in the building or further away
• Forgetfulness/short-term memory loss
• People with dementia who leave the building at times which make them vulnerable
• Preventing flooding
• Detecting smoke, fire and carbon monoxide
• Detecting falls

Examples of the technology include:

• Magi-plug – stops the bath overflowing
• Memo-Minder – helpful for forgetful people by providing reminders when someone walks past, e.g. ‘It’s night time, best go back to bed’
• Easy 5 Silver Phone – a simple mobile phone with only seven buttons
• Bed occupancy sensor – can prevent falls by switching on a light when someone gets out of bed
• PivoTell – programmable automatic pill-dispenser
• Falls detector – attaches round the waist – a fall will raise an alarm.

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Councillor Knott said: “This new service will help older people – and their carers – enjoy a better quality of life in their own homes by helping them tackle common problems such as difficulty contacting their carer; loss of memory and fear of intruders. “

The council supplies a range of the most popular types of equipment which is supplied free of charge to adults who are eligible for a service from Health and Social Care.

A weekly monitoring charge is likely to be made for telecare equipment which is linked to a call centre. If you do not have friends or family living locally who can help in an emergency the council can provide a response service, for which you can choose to pay either weekly or per visit.