Lifeline and Telecare
What is the Lifeline service?
Lifeline gives you the freedom to live independently. It gives you the security of knowing there is support available whenever you need it.
A unit is installed by one of our Response Officers. You will be given a small pendant which can be worn around the neck or wrist.
The unit uses a SIM card stored within the unit which connects to mobile networks. It only needs an electricity supply to work. The unit also contains a battery pack so it will still work if there is a break to your electricity supply.
You do not need a mobile phone, home telephone or broadband for the unit to function. The unit is totally independent of any other set up within the home.
The pendant gives you the freedom to move around your home and garden. The range of the pendant will be tested during the installation visit.
If you suffer a fall or need help you can press a button on the pendant. This will will alert our call handlers. They will speak to you via a speaker on the the unit. They will make sure you are OK and offer support.
The Lifeline Response Officers are situated in the Town Hall. This means help is never far away and available 24 hours a day.
If you opt to have our Response Officers as the first responder, we will need a key to your home. This is so access can be gained in an emergency. The key will be securely stored in the Town Hall. It is only accessible by Lifeline staff.
If you live alone, are unwell, would like piece of mind or care for someone, Lifeline could be the service for you.
We recommend testing each pendant within the home at least once a month. This is so that we know the equipment is working as it should. If you know or support an existing Lifeline client, please encourage regular testing.
Lifeline information leaflet [pdf document]
Lifeline frequently asked questions [pdf document]
What is telecare?
Telecare is a range of simple, light, easy to use pieces of equipment for use within the home.
The charge for telecare is inexpensive. A reasonable charge for the reassurance that when you need assistance, it will be provided without the need for a manual activation.
Telecare supports people to be as independent as possible.
It can also give family and carers the assurance that their loved one can get help at any time. Telecare devices work a bit differently to the standard Lifeline pendant.
Examples of telecare equipment;
- fall detectors
- bed sensors
- chair sensors
- movement detectors
- smoke alarms
- epileptic sensors
One of the most popular devices we install is the falls detector. This works by identifying when the wearer has fallen. It then sends an automatic call through to our CCTV hub. This means that the wearer does not need to push the pendant to tell us they have fallen.
To have telecare equipment you first need to have a Lifeline unit. The unit uses a SIM card stored within the unit which connects to mobile networks. It only needs an electricity supply to work.
What is the difference between Lifeline and telecare?
Telecare equipment triggers automatically.
You do not have to press anything. The equipment detects a problem and makes the call to the call handlers.
They ensure an appropriate response is made by:
- family
- friends
- carers
- emergency services
- one of our team of mobile Response Officers.
Please ensure that you have a modern 3 point electric plug socket.
You can ring our office on 01325 406888, if you are unable to make this call yourself then someone could do this on your behalf.
We will then make an appointment to come to your home and demonstrate the equipment which we hope to leave at your property on the day.
Please ensure you have a modern 3 point electric plug socket.
If you are a self-funding customer, you can ring directly through to the main Lifeline office number 01325 406888 and arrange an install. If you have other needs that require a community care assessment, then Telecare could also be assessed for by Adult Social Care. To arrange an assessment at home you can ring 01325 405333 and ask for First Point of Contact.
Find out what our Lifeline Response Officers get up to on a typical day.
A day in the life of a Lifeline Response Officer [pdf document]
When winter rolls around it brings inevitable illnesses such as coughs and colds. Find out more information on insulation from the Energy saving Trust [external link]
Interested in Lifeline/Telecare?
call us on 01325 406888