Assistive technology and telecare

What is assistive technology and telecare?

It's equipment that can help people maintain their independence.

Telecare equipment links to a call centre. If an incident occurs, a message is sent using your 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.
• A falls detector attaches round waist and a fall will raise an alarm.

Standalone assistive technology works without involving a call centre. Some standalone equipment can alert a carer in the same building.

• Magi-plug - stops the bath overflowing.
• Memo-Minder – helpful for forgetful people – provides reminders when someone walks past, eg ‘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.

When could the equipment be useful?

Assistive technology and telecare can help with many 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

What equipment is available?

The council supplies a range of the most popular types of equipment. Read our guide below to see the range of equipment . This is available to adults who are eligible for help from the council. The equipment supplied by the council can be viewed at ‘Living’ in Fishponds, Bristol.

A wider range of equipment is available but the council does not usually pay this for these. The range can be viewed on the Living made easy web site.

How much does it cost?

Equipment is supplied to adults who are eligible for a service from Health and Social Care. A weekly monitoring charge is 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.

How do I get the equipment?

To find out if you can get equipment from the council contact our Care Direct service

If you prefer to purchase privately you can contact Bristol Careline.

To arrange a demonstration of the equipment contact ‘Living’

Living (formerly the DLC - the Disabled Living Centre)
The Vassall Centre
Gill Avenue, Fishponds
Bristol BS16 2QQ

Telephone/Textphone: 0117 965 3651
Fax: 0117 965 3652
Email: info@thisisliving.org.uk