Telecare: community alarm service
The Tower Hamlets telecare service helps
provide safety, security and wellbeing by enabling people to live
independently in their own homes. The service is available 24 hours
a day, every day of the year and uses simple technology linked to
our response centre.
If the answer to any of the following questions is yes, you are
eligible for the council’s free telecare service.
- Are you worried about falling or accidents when you are at
home?
- Do you have difficulty getting around inside your home?
- Do you worry about becoming confused and leaving your home when
it may not be safe to do so on your own?
- Would you like someone to telephone you occasionally to check
you are ok?
The council provides service users with a telecare unit and a
pendant button which can be worn as a necklace or wrist strap.
Service users are then assessed for the additional sensors that are
available (listed below).
When users press the button or any of the sensor alerts, the
response centre is automatically dialled via the user’s telephone
line. The personal details appear on our computer screens and the
service user will then speak to a trained operator who will assist
them to choose the most appropriate action to take.
If necessary a family member, neighbour or friend may be
contacted. Sometimes we may need to contact a doctor or the
emergency services as their response may be more appropriate, or we
may send one of our dedicated telecare team members to provide
assistance.
We will also call on a regular basis to check users are ok and
are happy with the service provided.
A selection of sensors available:
Flood Detector:Provides an
early warning to the possibility of flood or leak in the home.
Service users can place it by the bath, shower or sink for peace of
mind.
Smoke Detector: Provides
protection by raising an alarm if smoke is detected in the
home.
Carbon Monoxide Detector:
Poorly maintained or faulty gas boilers and other equipment can
sometimes give off high levels of carbon monoxide. Our simple
sensor could prevent this odourless and colourless gas reaching a
dangerous level.
Bogus Caller Button: If
service users are unsure about a caller to their home, they can
press the button to receive advice and reassurance from experienced
operators at our centre.
Fall Sensor: This device
sends out an alert if service users have a fall or a blackout.
Wandering Monitor: This can
monitor a person leaving a property at an inappropriate time, like
the early hours of the morning. It will also activate an alert if a
door has been left open by mistake.
Applications can be made directly by contacting the
adult social care team on 020 7364 5005
They will take all details and, as long as the service user in
question meets the criteria, will pass on details to the telecare
team who will make an appointment for the installation of
equipment.
If service users are registered with a Tower Hamlets social work
team, their social worker can make a referral for telecare directly
on their behalf by emailing the referral form to telecare@towerhamlets.gov.uk.
GPs may also make a referral for telecare
directly using the GP referral form.
Social Care Team
Customer Contact Centre
Tower Hamlets Town Hall
6th floor, Mulberry Place
5 Clove Crescent
London
E14 2BG