Cheshire County Council run the Telecare Scheme that aims to promote independence and increase the number of people who can remain in their homes, supported by Community Services, rather than be admitted to hospital or long-term care.
What is Telecare?
Telecare is about having special equipment in people’s own homes to enable them to be safer. The sensors when installed, can indicate if there is a problem in the house such as:
- A build up of escaping gas from a cooker
- A flood from taps being left on
- Part of the home being too hot (e.g. cooker left on) or too cold (e.g. heating not working).
It can also indicate if a person has a problem, such as
- Having fallen and being unable to get help
- Having got out of bed, fallen and not being able to get help
- Having wandered outside the home at an inappropriate time.
Further information:
How Do I Receive Telecare?
The process starts with someone such as a social worker or occupational therapist coming to see you to assess with you whether Telecare could help in supporting you at home.
If it is felt to be appropriate, with your agreement, they will contact the appropriate Community Alarm Provider (if you are not the owner of your home) to see if the sensors you need can be fitted in your home.
For further information contact your local Access Team or speak to your local District Council or Housing Association (see links below).
Please note that you do not have to be a Housing Association tenant to be eligible.
Aid-Call is an Age Concern initiative that is not just available to the elderly. Users include those with a physical disability, chronic condition, recovering from illness, or just concerned for their security.
Cheshire Home Improvement Services
Anchor Staying Put (covering Ellesmere Port and Neston, and Crewe and Nantwich)
Arena Options (covering Chester and Vale Royal)
Templar Housing Association (covering Macclesfield)
Congleton Borough Council (covering Congleton)
What Do I Need to Receive Telecare?
You will need to have a BT telephone line to enable the service to be provided, as well as an electric socket nearby. The sensors themselves send their information via the telephone line to the call centre run by one of the Care-line Services. As a result you will be responsible for the cost of these “telephone calls” which occur when the equipment is activated and the alarm raised.
This service is only available at present to those people over 65 years of age.
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