Assistive technology

Assistive technology (also known as telecare) can help you or someone you care for, to live safely and independently at home.

It is useful for people living with:

• physical disabilities
• memory problems
• ill-health
• frailty
• learning difficulties
• mental health problems

Prices

Please call 0191 455 5523 for information on equipment prices and how to pay for the service.

Benefits of assistive technology

People who use assistive technology experience a range of benefits, including:

• feeling safer and more confident in their own home
• feeling safe and secure out in the community 
• being able to remind themselves to do daily tasks like washing, bathing, cooking, cleaning, and gardening
• removing worry and giving peace of mind to their families or carers
• reducing the chance of hospital admissions e.g. as a result of a fall
• reducing the need for residential care

Using special sensors, assistive technology can alert family or carers if you were to:

• have a fall
• leave your home or an agreed place
• forget to take your medicines

It can also raise an alert if you have:

• a fire in your home
• a leak of gas or carbon monoxide
• a small flood for example, from an overrunning bath

It allows families, carers or social care staff from the assistive technology team, to respond quickly if anything goes wrong when you are on you own. 

You can nominate someone (member of your family, friend or carer) to receive alerts if any of the above were to happen to you.

The movement sensors tell the person that you have nominated whether you're up in the morning, moving around your home as usual or in bed at night.

If they spot anything out of the ordinary, they can check in with you to make sure you've not had a fall or become ill.

Assistive technology can make a big difference to your quality of life. It could save you the effort of having to move home and help you to remain independent at home.

There are different types of assistive technology available to help you in your home. These include:

• Alarm pendants and panic buttons - used to raise an alert if someone was to fall, or to provide reassurance for anyone who is concerned about unwanted callers. These include wrist pendants, falls alarm, and bogus calls alarms.
• Smart hub - A monitoring and alarm system for the home which uses smart technology to connect you with care professionals.
• Home alarm unit - An alarmed unit with a wide range of sensors. You can choose which sensors are right for you to fit your needs.
• Sensors (including bed and chair) - These are sensors that monitor how long you have been away from your bed or chair. If you have not returned within a specific amount of time, an alert is sent to your nominated person.
• Pill dispensers - Sound and visual alerts to remind the user to take medication.
• Detectors including flood, smoke and carbon monoxide - Alarms which warn users of any harmful hazards in the home.
• Monitors including epilepsy - Used to monitor people with conditions whilst they sleep.
• GPS tracking for people living with memory impairment - Allowing carers to locate someone away from home if they have an illness such as dementia.

The Technology and Independence Service based within South Tyneside Council offers support with a range of assistive technologies to help people remain independent at home.

Applying online

If you are interested in assistive technology, you can apply to get assessed to see what equipment you need. 

You can apply for an assessment online for yourself or for someone you know.

Apply for assistive technology

Other ways to apply

You can also call The Technology and Independence Service on 0191 455 5523.

We will contact you to talk about the technology you are looking for.

We can arrange an assessment to see what equipment would be helpful and discuss the costs with you.

Assessments can take place over the phone, or by visiting you in your home.

Installations

Your equipment will be installed within 2 to 3 days.

Most equipment installations take between 30 to 45 minutes depending on the type of equipment you need.  

Installations are carried out 7 days a week so we can work around the most convenient time for you.

Morning installations are completed between 10.30am and 1pm. Afternoon installations are between 2.30pm and 5.30pm.

After the installation you will receive information through the post on how the service can be paid for.

A standing order can be arranged, you can pay over the telephone or in South Shields Town Hall. If you are a South Tyneside Homes customer this is usually added to your rent.

For more information on how a smart hub is installed, see Tunstall: Self-Install your Tunstall Healthcare Lifeline

Repairs

If you are having any problems with your equipment, you can ring us 0191 455 5523.

You will get a replacement or have your equipment fixed within 48 hours if it is critical. If it is not critical, the equipment will be replaced or fixed within 5 days.

This only applies to manufacture defects. All repairs for manufacturing defects are free for the time you have the equipment.

South Tyneside Council are not responsible for your telephone lines where the unit is built into.

Note: This does not apply to Smart Hubs.