Telecare services offered free to over-85s in Hillingdon
More than 900 residents supported in their own homes
More than 900 elderly residents in the London borough of Hillingdon are benefiting from free telecare services.
Hillingdon Council is working with supplier, Tunstall, to deliver supportive technology into the homes of residents over the age of 85.
Since April 2011, devices have been put into the houses of 960 people, and 400 of these were self referrals following an awareness drive.
With the population of those aged over 85 estimated to increase by 11% by 2015, the priority for us is to develop a new model of care by combining telehealthcare services in the borough to help maximise independent living in the community
Linda Sanders, the local authority’s corporate director for social care, health and housing, said: “With the population of those aged over 85 estimated to increase by 11% by 2015, the priority for us is to work in partnership with NHS Hillingdon to develop a new model of care by combining telehealthcare services in the borough to help maximise independent living in the community. The aim is to create a fundamental shift in service provision away from institutionalised care towards home-based support, risk prevention and early intervention.
“Technology like TeleCareLine can play a vital role in helping care for an ageing population and that’s why in Hillingdon we are offering it to those aged over 85 for free. By enabling residents to stay in their own homes we can reduce the demand for residential or nursing care, which can in turn result in significant savings for the council.”
Similar telecare packages are also available for all residents of the borough and are free for the first six weeks as part of a re-ablement service.
Kevin Alderson, health and social care policy director at Tunstall, said: “Hillingdon Council’s ethos of risk prevention and early intervention directly reflects the national drive for more preventative, community-based care to meet the growing demands of an ageing population. Providing free telecare to people aged over 85 makes a tremendous difference in maintaining their independence and reducing risks and Tunstall is delighted to be part of it.”
By enabling residents to stay in their own homes we can reduce the demand for residential or nursing care, which can in turn result in significant savings for the council
The TeleCareLine service provides varying levels of support, with each eligible resident provided with a Lifeline Connect+ personal alarm, a MyAmie+ pendant, bogus call alarm and a smoke detector as standard, with additional sensors based on residents’ individual needs.
Grace Marks, a resident currently using the service, said: “This system has given me and my family real peace of mind. I’ve always been an independent person and through Hillingdon TeleCareLine, I can stay living at home with the reassurance that, if something happened, help wouldn’t be far away.”