WHAT’S NEW?
TELECARE DEVICE ALLOWS CARERS TO SUPPORT MORE
PEOPLE EVERY NIGHT A high-tech device costing around £100 is helping social care teams in local communities care for up to nine times as many vulnerable people than previously, offering hope for the UK’s stretched social care system.
A pilot study in Telford and Wrekin using smart telecare devices created by UK care tech company Oysta, allows two mobile care workers who would previously have only been able to care for two people overnight, to support between 16 and 20 people instead.
The devices, which are being provided by Telford and Wrekin Council for residents receiving support by Supreme Home Care, allow people who need access to care overnight to call for support by simply pressing a button which is monitored by a small team of mobile care workers who can respond quickly.
The system is helping to increase the number of people who can receive care in their own homes, including many who might otherwise remain in hospital or move into residential accommodation, by providing care support when it is needed rather than scheduling in potentially unnecessary night visits.
- 10 -
Sue Robson, founder of Supreme Home Care said the use of technology allowed them to provide “reassurance for vulnerable people and their families with a service which allows us to serve a greater number of people who need our care.”
She said: “Before we started using the telecare devices, we would have one carer per client on one shiſt from 10pm to 7am whether or not the client was sleeping or needed any assistance. But now the client, or a family member, can alert us by pressing their button and we can respond with any help that is needed.”
The company says the service has been very popular with staff and clients since it provides a reliable yet non- intrusive way of supporting vulnerable people. They are now looking to recruit additional team members to meet the growing demand, which will enable them to provide support to more people including those who might otherwise occupy beds in NHS hospitals.
“When someone is ready to leave hospital, they may be nervous about being at home on their own. With this new system, they can have the reassurance of help on hand when they need it – but we oſten find that aſter a few nights they are confident on their own,” said Sue.
“For those who are recovering at home – or those with long term conditions who
don’t want to be moved out of their own home– we can provide the right help at the right time.”
The service is also popular with those providing care, who can keep busy during their shiſt helping a greater number of people in the local area.
Coral Chaproniere, Supreme Home Care’s Area Manager, commented: “If we were still doing traditional ‘night sits’ we couldn’t support as many people as we do now which means there may have been people leſt without support. As a carer, I don’t like to think of people out there on their own.”
“With pendant alarms, families are oſten the first port of call so it puts additional pressures on families who still need to get a good night’s sleep. We can now provide that overnight support and help our clients and their families.”
Jonathon Rowe, Executive Director Adult Social Care, Health Integration and Wellbeing at Telford & Wrekin Council, said: “We are proud that Telford & Wrekin Council is among a handful of Councils in the UK embracing digital devices, such as those provided by the care tech company Oysta, as a new way of helping vulnerable residents to immediately get in touch with their care provider when needed, from the comfort of their own home.”
www.oysta-technology.com
www.tomorrowscare.co.uk
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44
