Assistive Technology and Telecare
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:
- Promote independence;
- Improve confidence;
- Help manage risks around the home and in the community;
- Support a person to remain living at home;
- Help with memory and recall;
- Support a person to carry out key tasks, such as making a cup of tea; and
- Provide reassurance to carers and family members.
Telecare is the term used to describe the range of equipment that can alert a call centre when, for example:
- A person falls; or
- A person leaves their home unexpectedly; or
- A person needs assistance.
Examples of Telecare equipment include:
- A personal alarm (pendant alarm);
- A falls alarm;
- A door sensor.
Assistive technology and Telecare can be provided:
- As part of a Reablement/Enablement service; or
- To support hospital discharges; or
- Alongside services to meet on ongoing care and support needs; or
- Independent from all of the above.
It is available to people who live in:
- Their own home;
- Rented accommodation (including Local Authority accommodation);
- Supported living;
- Extra Care;
- Shared lives placements.
If a person lives in residential or nursing care assistive technology and Telecare is normally the responsibility of the provider to assess and arrange.
City of York Council has a dedicated webpage providing information on how Be Independent can play a key role in supporting better health and care to promote independence. The website contains links to both Be Independent’s Telecare Response and Equipment Loan services.
See: BeIndependent
The Telecare Response Service (including installation) may be offered free of charge to residents living in the City of York Council area who are in receipt of Housing Benefit or Council Tax Support.
For information regarding this and Be Independent Telecare Response Service options and costs, see: Options and Costs
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.
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.
If further advice or information is required, please contact the Telecare team:
Tel: 01904 645000
Email: be.independent@york.gov.uk
Referrals should be made using the Be Independent Referral Form. This can be completed via the City of York Council website.
All monitoring activity should be recorded in line with local recording requirements.
At such time when monitoring is no longer required it may cease.
The Telecare Team will arrange to carry out an annual review of the Assistive technology or Telecare in place.
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.
Dependent on the package supplied Be Independent provide an annual review visit and periodic checks to test Telecare equipment.
Repair requests and faults should be reported to Be Independent at:
Tel: 01904 645000
Email: be.independent@york.gov.uk
If assistive technology or Telecare is no longer required, the Telecare Team should be notified so collection of the equipment can be arranged.
Tel: 01904 645000
Email: be.independent@york.gov.uk
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: October 31, 2023
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