Technology Enabled Care (including City Wide Alarms)
Technology Enabled Care (TEC) 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, TEC 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 TEC 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 include:
- A personal alarm (pendant alarm);
- A falls alarm;
- A door sensor.
In Sheffield, Telecare is provided by City Wide Alarms.
Technology Enabled Care (TEC) can be provided:
- As part of a Reablement 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 Technology Enabled Care is normally the responsibility of the provider to assess and arrange.
When providing information and advice about Technology Enabled Care, including City Wide Alarms, see:
One off pieces of equipment up to £1,000 are free under the Care Act 2014. Where equipment costs more than £1,000, please refer to our local Charging Policy.
For information about the cost of Telecare from City Wide Alams see: Care Alarms.
If the person has an existing (or developing) Care and Support Plan any Technology Enabled Care that is provided to meet on-going needs must be recorded in the plan.
TEC should not be provided until an appropriate and proportionate assessment of need has been carried out. For Telecare, this assessment may be carried out by a team as part of an assessment of need but can also be carried out by City Wide Alarms.
Technology Enabled Care should be arranged in line with local processes and requirements.
All monitoring activity should be recorded in line with local recording requirements.
At such time when monitoring is no longer required it may cease.
Any TEC that is part of a person's Care and Support Plan should always be reviewed as part of the statutory review of that plan.
Technology Enabled Care should be removed in line with local processes and requirements.
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: January 5, 2024
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