Telecare
Telecare helps vulnerable people to live more safely at home by enabling them to get help quickly. Telecare is similar to the use of community alarms and requests for help are sent to a call centre through your telephone line. The signals alert carers that a person may need help.
Through telecare vulnerable people can stay in their own homes or return home from hospital sooner with the confidence that other people are close at hand. The call centre is run by Barnet Homes Lifeline, which currently run Barnet’s community alarm (Lifeline) service.
For more information on the Telecare service, you can download the Telecare booklet 
(PDF 955KB)
What are the benefits of Telecare?
- Provides support and reassurance for carers
- Gives confidence to vulnerable people
- Enables people to stay independent and safe at home
- Helps people who fall or have accidents
- Helps to prevent admission to and assist discharge from hospital
- Provides a rapid response to crisis situations.
What types of equipment are available?
A range of telecare equipment is available including:
- Fall detectors
- Bed and door exit monitors
- Smoke, heat and flood detectors
- Wandering sensors.
Some of the equipment is standalone and is suitable for people with a live-in carer or family member. The majority is suitable for people who live alone as it can raise an alarm into a call centre using a base unit connected to a phone.
All new equipment is constantly reviewed and tested to ensure that every person receives the best and most appropriate technology to meet their own situation and needs. The equipment used is tested rigorously to ensure it does what it is supposed to do and will always work when it is required to do so.
Any technology we provide should complement the lifestyle of the person using it and not detract from it, which is why much of our time is spent sourcing the best products from a range of suppliers.
How do I make a referral to the Telecare Service?
Telecare may be suggested to you by your social worker or other care professional following an assessment of your needs.
If they are interested in using telecare to maintain independence, a referral form is completed which asks for their signed consent to have the equipment on loan and receive the telecare service.
If you do not already have a Lifeline pendant, you will also need to complete the Lifeline form and may require a financial assessment for the Lifeline monitoring service. Ongoing telephone support is there 24 hours a day for any queries on the equipment or the telecare service.
Is there a charge for the Telecare Service pilot?
All telecare equipment is given out on a loan basis at no charge. However, there is usually a charge for the call centre service, depending on your financial circumstances.
An example of how Telecare can help
An 84-year old lady has fallen twice already. Her family is concerned for her safety as she lives at home alone. The Falls Clinic team assess her and offer her a fall detector pendant with a pull cord alarm for her bathroom.
If she does fall again, the fall detector will automatically send a remote alarm to inform the Lifeline call centre. Lifeline will assess the situation by trying to speak to the lady using the loudspeaker on the alarm-signalling base unit.
Depending on the severity of the fall, the call centre may then telephone a member of the family, or contact the emergency services.
Can I try out the telecare equipment?
Yes - there are two telecare equipment demonstration centres at:
Day Hospital
Finchley Memorial Hospital
Granville Road
London 12 0JE
Map (external Link)
Activities of Daily Living Suite in the Physiotherapy Department
Edgware Community Hospital
Burnt Oak Broadway
Edgware HA8 0AD
Map (external Link)
Each centre is open on Monday to Friday 9am-5pm
Appointments to visit each centre must be set up in advance and the professional referring you will arrange this.
For more information about the Telecare service, please contact the Telecare Team - details opposite.
