Technology Enabled Care

Technology enabled care covers a wide range of devices to increase, maintain or improve a person's independence or reduce the risk to their wellbeing.

Used effectively, technology enabled care 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.

Technology enabled care includes the  Care Call service 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 such equipment includes:

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

Technology enabled care 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 technology enabled care is normally the responsibility of the provider to assess and arrange.

The Gateshead council website contains lots of helpful information about Care Call.

See: Gateshead Care Call.

Information and advice can also be obtained directly from the service by calling 0191 433 2652.

Care Call offers three levels of service, each costed differently.

The latest charges can be found on the Gateshead council website.

See: Gateshead Care Call.

Technology enabled care can be provided as part of a personal budget after an appropriate and proportionate assessment of need has been carried out.

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

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

However, an assessment of need is not a necessity for the provision of Technology enabled care can also be provided without such an assessment having been carried out, as people can self-refer directly to the service and meet the costs privately. 

Practitioners should follow local processes and requirements to arrange technology enabled care.

If someone wishes to make their own arrangements, they can be signposted to Care Call directly using 0191 433 2652.

Technical issues will be dealt with under the terms of the Service Level Agreement between the provider and the person.

Faults with equipment will be managed with replacement items available if the fault is equipment failure covered under the Service Level Agreement.

If technology enabled care is being provided as part of a personal budget it should not be cancelled or removed until there has been a proportionate review. This will provide an opportunity to talk through any issues and agree an alternative way of meeting the person’s eligible needs.

If someone made their own arrangements for a Care Call service and has decided to cancel it, they should speak to Care Call directly on 01914332652.

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.