Throughout 2008-2009 Darlington Borough Council is running a project called Darlington Telecare. We would like your views on the proposed new service.
What is Telecare?
Telecare is a range of simple, light, easy to use pieces of equipment for use within the home, to support people to be as independent as possible. Examples of Telecare equipment includes fall detectors, bed sensors, chair sensors, movement detectors, bogus caller buttons and temperature sensors. To have Telecare equipment you first need to have a Lifeline unit so the telecare equipment can link to the control room at the Town Hall.
What is the Lifeline Service?
The Lifeline Service consists of a Lifeline unit (which is a small box) plus a personal pendant and pull cord. If this is fitted in your home, it gives you support 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, if needed. By pressing the pendant or pulling the cord, this makes a call to the control room, who will make sure you are alright and ensure that you are supported. They speak to you through the speaker on the Lifeline unit box.
How can Telecare equipment help?
The difference between the Lifeline service and Telecare, is that Telecare equipment is triggered automatically. You do not have to press anything - the equipment would detect a problem and make the call to the control room. They would ensure an appropriate response is made by family, friends, carers, emergency services or one of our team of mobile response officers.
What is the cost of Telecare?
During 2008-09 the equipment and monitoring of the Telecare service is free. From April next year, there may be a charge. Darlington Borough Council is using grant money from the Government to provide this service, increase awareness and demonstrate its benefits.
The Lifeline service, which is needed to run any Telecare equipment, currently costs £4.37 per week. This covers a rental of the equipment and monitoring of the service.
You may be entitled to extra help with the costs for these services, either by undertaking a financial assessment or through Supporting People Benefit. For example, if you are eligible to Supporting People Benefit you would only pay £1.51 per week and not £4.37
If you do not want to undertake a financial assessment or discuss whether you would be entitled to Supporting People Benefit, you could privately purchase the Telecare equipment. However, you would be asked to pay the actual cost of the equipment and any monitoring costs.
Your Views
The consultation period to obtain the public's views is between 15th September to 12th December 2008 (14 weeks).
You can also provide your views by completing the following form or contact:
John Kilgannon - Telecare,
Adult Social Services,
Central House,
Gladstone Street,
Darlington,
DL3 6JX
Telephone: 01325 346753
Minicom: 01325 468504
Fax: 01325 346474
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