Telecare lifeline alarms provide a link to a control centre 24 hours a day. Usually the system consists of a base unit connected to your phone line (you can still use the phone as normal), which connects wirelessly to alarms around your home. If an alarm is raised, the control centre will try to speak to you through the base unit — and if they can't reach you, they summon help immediately.
Who uses them?
Many people benefit from a telecare alarm. Anyone who feels vulnerable at home — perhaps through living alone, age, disability or ill health — will find them reassuring. They're widely used: here at Gardiner's we have them in the office, and some of our team with young families have them at home too.
What types of alarm are available?
Almost all systems come with a pendant, worn on the wrist or around the neck, with a red button that connects the base unit to the control centre. Many other sensors can connect to the base unit, including:
- Passive Infra-Red (PIR) — detects movement, or a lack of it, in the home
- Smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector
- Flood detector — detects water on the floor from an overflowing bath or leaking appliance
- Falls pendant — detects a fall through excessive tilt
- Temperature sensor — early warning of extremes, e.g. a cooker left on
- Bogus caller button — reassurance when answering the door to strangers
- Door entry/exit sensor — warns if someone leaves and doesn't return within a set time
- Bed/chair occupancy sensor — alerts if someone doesn't return within a set time, and can monitor for incontinence
- Epilepsy sensor — detects a seizure and raises an automatic call
- Sounder beacon and vibrating pillow alert — for those who are hard of hearing
Where to get one
Many companies provide telecare systems. A good starting point locally is Forest Care, set up by Bracknell Forest Council but covering a much wider area including Reading and South Oxfordshire.
