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Assistive Technology and Telecare

Assistive Technology and Telecare

Scope of this chapter

Remember

You can find more procedures and guidance in the Local Resources.

1.1 Assistive Technology

Assistive technology refers to any gadget that is used to increase, maintain or improve a person's independence or reduce the risk to their wellbeing.

Used effectively, assistive technology can:

  1. Promote independence;
  2. Improve confidence;
  3. Help manage risks around the home and in the community;
  4. Support a person to remain living at home;
  5. Help with memory and recall;
  6. Support a person to carry out key tasks, such as making a cup of tea; and
  7. Provide reassurance to carers and family members.

1.2 Telecare

Telecare is the term used to describe the range of equipment that can alert a call centre when, for example:

  1. A person falls; or
  2. A person leaves their home unexpectedly; or
  3. A person needs assistance.

Examples of Telecare equipment include:

  1. A personal alarm (pendant alarm);
  2. A falls alarm;
  3. A door sensor.

2. Providing Assistive Technology or Telecare

Assistive technology and Telecare can be provided:

  1. As part of a Reablement service; or
  2. To support hospital discharges; or
  3. Alongside services to meet on ongoing care and support needs; or
  4. Independent from all of the above.

It is available to people who live in:

  1. Their own home;
  2. Rented accommodation (including Local Authority accommodation);
  3. Supported living;
  4. Extra Care;
  5. Shared lives placements.

If a person lives in residential or nursing care and requires assistive technology and Telecare, it is normally the responsibility of the provider to assess and arrange.

3. Information and Advice about Assistive Technology

Further information and advice regarding Assistive Technology can be found in Local Resources and on the Local Authority’s intranet. You can find links to external websites for further reading.

4. The Care and Support Plan

If the person has an existing (or developing) Care and Support Plan any assistive technology or Telecare that is provided to meet on-going needs must be recorded in the plan.

5. Establishing the Need for Assistive Technology or Telecare

Assistive technology and Telecare should not be provided until an appropriate and proportionate assessment of need has been carried out.

Any social care practitioner can assess the need for assistive technology and Telecare as part of a needs assessment if they are confident to do so.

6. Arranging Assistive Technology or Telecare

All internal processes and guidance for arranging assistive technology and Telecare can be found in the Local Resources.

7.1 Monitoring effectiveness

All monitoring activity should be recorded in line with local recording requirements.

At such time when monitoring is no longer required it may cease.

7.2 Review

Any assistive technology or Telecare that is part of a person's Care and Support Plan should always be reviewed as part of the statutory review of that plan.

8. Repairing Assistive Technology or Telecare

Any broken or faulty equipment should be bought to the attention of Argenti@barnet.gov.uk.

9. Removing Assistive Technology or Telecare

If assistive technology or Telecare is no longer required, contact should be made with Argenti@barnet.gov.uk.

Any internal processes and guidance should be followed through to end the provision.

Note: If a review has determined that assistive technology or Telecare equipment is no longer required these arrangements should only be made when any alternative provision to meet needs is in place.

Last Updated: November 8, 2022

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