Technology Enabled Care

What is Technology Enabled Care?

Technology Enabled Care Services (TECS) is fast becoming the accepted description for a range of technologies such as telecare, telehealth, telemedicine and self-care apps. In York it is delivered by the council through a service called Be Independent: Be Independent – City of York Council

TECS has the potential to transform the way people engage with health and social care needs and empowers them to manage in a way that’s right. TECS is a monitoring and alert system that can help support people to live independently in their own homes by providing users, their carers, family and friends reassurance that help is available in an emergency 24 hours a day.

How does Technology Enable Care work?

The equipment works in several ways. It can use your telephone system, by linking alarms, sensors and equipment in your home to an adviser in a monitoring and alarm receiving centre.
Or, it can work via alerts to a smart device (GPS device, self-care application, pager etc) to a family member or carer in the property.

One of the best known example of TECS equipment is the Lifeline and Pendant alarm. A unit is placed in your house and connects to your telephone line or broadband. A built-in loud speaker and microphone allows hands-free conversation to a monitoring and alarm receiving centre, 24 hours a day, 7 dys a week.

Be Independent first aid trained responder staff

When activated, your equipment will connect to the monitoring and alarm receiving centre, where fully trained operators speak to you through your unit. They will find out what kind of help you need and take appropriate action. This could be contacting a family member or friend, carer, neighbour or the emergency services if needed. Where possible, the operators will stay on the line until help arrives.

Go to the Telecare House page to find out more about some of the available equipment.

The Living Made Easy website has further information on personal alarms, and other gadgets and aids for independent living.

Provision of Technology Enable Care Services

City of York Council may fund the provision of TECS following an assessment which shows that you have an eligible need and you meet the criteria for funded TECS. Equipment is supplied by the Be Independent service.

If you are interested in the service, please call 01904 645000 (option 1) or go to the Be Independent Website where you will find more information and a link to make a referral for an assessment.

Other providers of telecare are available, you can search online for providers or equipment or you can contact: