Technology Enabled Care

1. Technology Enabled Care

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:

1. Promote independence;
2. Improve confidence;
3. Help manage risks around the home and in the community;
4. Support a person to remain living at home;
5. Help with memory and recall;
6. Support a person to carry out key tasks, such as making a cup of tea; and
7. Provide reassurance to carers and family members.

Telecare

Telecare is the term used to describe the range of TEC equipment that can alert a call centre when, for example:

1. A person falls; or
2. A person leaves their home unexpectedly; or
3. A person needs assistance.

Examples of Telecare include:

1. A personal alarm (pendant alarm);
2. A falls alarm;
3. A door sensor.

2. Providing Technology Enabled Care

Technology Enabled Care (TEC) can be provided:

1. As part of a Reablement service; or
2. To support hospital discharges; or
3. Alongside services to meet on ongoing care and support needs; or
4. Independent from all of the above.

It is available to people who live in:

1. Their own home;
2. Rented accommodation (including Local Authority accommodation);
3. Supported living;
4. Extra Care;
5. 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.

Customer to advise if the above circumstances do not apply, or there are additional ones for inclusion.

3. Information and Advice about Technology Enabled Care

Customer to provide details of all information and advice sources or resources for TEC.

4. Charging for Technology Enabled Care

One off pieces of equipment up to £1,000 are free under the Care Act 2014. Where equipment costs more than £1,000 or the TEC has an on-going service charge attached (for example Telecare), please refer to our local Charging Policy.

5. The Care and Support Plan

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.

6. Establishing the Need for Technology Enabled Care

TEC should not be provided until an appropriate and proportionate assessment of need has been carried out.

Any social care practitioner can assess the need for TEC as part of a needs assessment if they are confident to do so.

Customer to provide additional information if required.

7. Arranging Technology Enabled Care

Technology Enabled Care should be arranged in line with local processes and requirements.

8. Monitoring and Reviewing Technology Enabled Care

Monitoring effectiveness

All monitoring activity should be recorded in line with local recording requirements.

At such time when monitoring is no longer required it may cease.

Review

Any Technology Enabled Care that is part of a person's Care and Support Plan should always be reviewed as part of the statutory review of that plan.

Removing Technology Enabled Care

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.

9. Repairing Technology Enabled Care

Customer to provide information about the responsibility of and process for repairing TEC.