What is Telecare?
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Telecare is a service which allows people to be supported at home by contacting a family member or response centre for help.
If the service is needed the user will press their pendant or a range of sensors will detect a problem and raise the alarm, connecting them to a response centre who will then deal with the call accordingly. This usually involves contacting a family member, carer or the emergency services.
This allows for remote support to help to manage risks in the home and let people remain independent for as long as possible offering peace of mind to the user and their family and friends.
The service is not only for the elderly but also for people that need support after being unwell in hospital, people with learning difficulties, people of any age that live alone and don’t have regular visitors or are worried about crime and anybody that has epilepsy with the help of an epilepsy sensor.
What is Telehealth?
Telehealth is the remote exchange of medical data between a patient and a professional, whether it be a carer or a clinician or nurse. A home unit is installed and is used to monitor and support patients with long term conditions.
The mobile home unit monitors factors such as heart rate, temperature, blood pressure and any other medical requirements needed by the patient such as glucose levels. This is then transmitted wirelessly to the medical professional or carer.
Telehealth may be used to monitor long-term conditions such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Chronic Heart Failure (CHF), Diabetes and Epilepsy.
This service gives the patient more control and understanding of their own medical state and reduces hospital visits. Also benefitting the clinician with giving readily accessible data reducing costs and saving time, allowing the professional.
For more information on telehealth, take a look at your local council’s website to see what is available in your area.