Investment to help people remain in their own homes (York Liberal Democrats)

York Liberal Democrats <info@yorklibdems.org.uk>

Investment to help people remain in their own homes

April 4, 2008 2:58 PM

York's Liberal Democrat Councillors are investing funding of £225, 000 from their budget to ensure even more elderly and disabled residents are supported at home over the next three years by the use of Telecare equipment (such as alarms and sensors for people's homes).

So far in York, 12 residents who may have had to leave their home to go into either a nursing or residential home are being supported by advanced Telecare systems. These include sensors which indicate when someone gets out of a bed or chair, and sensors which can switch lights on and off automatically. Additionally sensors can be installed which indicate if someone has left the gas on accidentally or a bathroom tap running. With ever increasing numbers of elderly people projected to suffer from dementia, the sensor which can be fitted round a door to indicate whether or not someone has left the property inappropriately is seen as a huge step forward.

Additionally 250 vulnerable residents have had bogus caller alarms fitted.

Cllr Sue Galloway, Liberal Democrat Executive Member for Adult Social Services, said today:

"Residents tell us that they wish to remain in their own homes for as long as they can, and Telecare equipment enables them to do so whilst protecting their health and safety.

"Technology is playing an increasing role in assisting the Council in looking after some of its most vulnerable clients - both disabled and older residents. Over the next three years I believe that we shall see more people linked to Telecare, and that additionally the role of Telemedicine, which helps clinicians track the needs of people living at home, will be used to look after those with long term health conditions."

The range of Telecare equipment is considerable and includes;.

Bed occupancy sensors so if someone gets up in the night to go to loo and doesn't return after a certain period (i.e. because they've fallen) the alarm will sound for a warden to come out and check them.

Chair occupancy sensors - if someone hasn't got up from their chair for a long period, this would also trigger an alarm

Fall detectors which are strapped to the person's body and would therefore register a fall

Property exit sensor for registering when someone has left their house and not returned (e.g. if someone suffers from dementia and left their home at 3am)

Sensors to detect temperature extremes

Flooding sensors to be put in people's bathrooms in case their basin or bath overflows

Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors

Bogus caller alarms

Pull cords for raising an alarm

There are also movement detectors, which are useful is someone doesn't wake up or doesn't go in the kitchen to make meals, etc,and a 'Just Checking' system which is a movement detector on a large scale.

'Just Checking' is a system which relatives and carers can use to track someone's movement in the home via a computer. It covers each room in the house, to keep an eye what the individual does, whether they are looking after themselves, and moving about enough and safely. It can be bought for £600, plus £310 per year for the web-service, or rented for £16.50 a week to give relatives peace of mind.