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Telecare covers any service that brings health or social care directly to a patient, generally in their homes. Telecare involves information and communication technology, including personal alarms and health-monitoring devices.

If you have a long-term condition, watch this video on making a care plan.

Telecare can help you to live more independently and safely in your own home, for longer. You could avoid a hospital stay or put off moving into a residential care home.

These services could help you manage a health condition better, either now or in the future, and enjoy an improved quality of life and peace of mind. You could benefit from telecare if you are:

• having trouble with aspects of your day-to-day life,
• worried about having an accident or fall in your home, or
• living with a disability or long-term health condition, including dementia or Alzheimer’s.

If you’re a carer, telecare may be able to support you. The devices available range from an alarm system for emergencies to monitors that can help you to manage your blood sugar level, so that you have enough energy throughout the day. What you are given will depend on your needs.

If these would help you, talk to your GP, practice nurse, local social services or care worker.

Telecare may be able to help you stay in your own home by assisting you with day-to-day routines and by ensuring peace of mind when it comes to the possibility of an accident or fall.

A community alarm system alerts the medical services during an emergency such as a fall. The alarm is raised by pressing a button that is kept on you at all times, usually on a small wristband or pendant. The action that is taken when you press the alarm will be agreed with you beforehand.

Other devices can help to make accidents and falls less likely, such as motion sensors that will switch on your hallway and bathroom lights when you get out of bed at night. Sensors that detect heat and gas can switch off the oven if it has been left on by accident, and smoke detectors can alert a central command system if there is a fire.

These are particularly useful if you have difficulty remembering things, or dementia or Alzheimer’s.

If you’re living with a long-term health condition or you have concerns about your health, other telecare equipment can help your doctor monitor you from your home.

This can include devices that will monitor your blood pressure, blood sugar level and pulse rate, and send this data to your clinician for review. This can help you and your health professional to manage conditions such as diabetes, asthma and chronic pulmonary obstructive disorder (COPD). Other devices can alert you when it's time to take your daily medicine.

Using this kind of telecare equipment is straightforward, and you’ll be fully trained to use any telecare equipment that is given to you or that is installed in your home.

If you're a carer, telecare could help you too.

Door sensors fitted at the home of the person you care for, for example, can alert you whenever the front door is left open, or opened at certain times (such as during the night). This can be particularly useful if you care for someone with dementia or Alzheimer’s who might wander out of the house.

A personal alarm can be used to alert you and the appropriate medical services if the person you care for falls or has a medical emergency. Talk to your GP, practice nurse or social services team to find out more.