AN ARRAY of technologies which can assist people to live independently in their own home for longer is being showcased in the region.
The Activities of Daily Living (ADL) suite within Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary is home to a wide range of gadgets and devices which can make life easier – from helping to make a cup of tea to chair sensors helping to keep people safe.
The ADL suite is used on a daily basis to help assess patients’ needs. But now, it is also currently being employed to help to promote devices which are available to people in their homes.
Chris Fyles is Technology Enabled Care (TEC) Project Lead for Dumfries and Galloway Health and Social Care Partnership, and he said: “We have such a wide range of devices that we’re able to demonstrate, ranging from easy-tipping kettles to medication dispensers and bed and chair sensors which help ensure that people remain safe.
“Technology Enabled Care and telecare promotes independence, choice and control to support all age groups to live as independently as possible.
“We’re really pleased that colleagues from across the Health and Social Care Partnership are able to help demonstrate what support is available to enable people to live independently, and I’d encourage anyone with an interest to arrange a visit to see all of the available equipment.
“Telecare/Sensory Support staff will be present to showcase equipment on Tuesday mornings between 9 am and 10.30 am.
Dumfries and Galloway Council provides Telecare within the Health and Social Care Partnership, and there is a constantly manned call centre running 24-hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. On average the call centre deal with 10,000 calls per month, with the vast majority of these not requiring anything other than some reassurance to the person with telecare.
It is designed as an unobtrusive service available to anyone of any age who would like to feel safer, more protected and independent in their own home, giving them independence, choice and control.
Services delivered via technology under the branding ‘Care Call’ have changed lives in the region, and are available at a weekly flat rate of just £3.60.
There is no charge at all in the case of palliative care/terminal illness or for children up to the age of 18.
Iain Callandar is a Telehealthcare Assessor Technician helping to demonstrate the services, and he said: “The Telecare Service provided by Dumfries and Galloway Council supports people of all ages to live more safely and independently in their own homes.
“Sensors can be worn or positioned around the home to minimise risk, improve safety and provide reassurance to the user and their support network. This is achieved by a 24 hour link to a local monitoring centre. The system provides an instant response where a highly skilled operator will respond to your call and take appropriate action to get the required help.”
Social Worker Roxy McCormack is part of the Sensory Support Team, and has been helping to promote the support available to anyone with a sensory impairment.
Roxy said: “Services offered include advice and information on the registration process, home assessment for equipment and adaptations, support to address financial and social inclusion and rehabilitation.
“We also provide awareness raising training, we advise organisations, and we organise requests from the BSL Interpreting Council and third sector.”
To arrange a visit to the ADL suite at DGRI, contact Therapies reception by calling ext. 33022 or 01387 241022.
