Free 6 month Telecare trials

I think there are important concerns around how Telecare has been approached by some local authorities, especially in trying to achieve targets as per the previous Preventative Technology Grant. This may well have influenced short term direction rather than looking at how the benefits of this type of technology can be integrated as part of an overall care solution and a truly joined up and sustainable approach.

Wey, Stephen. (2006) Telecare should be demystified (Therapy Weekly April 13th 2006) mentions Community Alarms/Telecare will feature very strongly in future care provision, it has been demonstrated to be useful, wanted and cost effective….. "however, there are concerns that technology could be seen as a 'quick fix' to manage problems and risks rather than as a means of empowering and enabling vulnerable people"

I have seen several Pilots that have supplied Telecare initially as a free trial, only to have to extend the free monitoring service. These were usually to achieve a quick fix and as a result of a discrete project approach. It makes more sense to work in an integrated care approach embedding Telecare and other similar technology into the care pathway as one of a choice of solutions available to support and give confidence to the user to remain within the home. In this way it may have a greater chance of being mainstreamed.

Telecare can be cost effective by not only supporting people and delaying entry into a residential home but also to prevent existing needs from escalating into a higher and more resource intensive care need, especially when combined with a physical response service. Money spent upfront in prevention will achieve a greater saving in the longer term, as we know in most areas of life.

Some enlightened authorities have recognised this.