Sensors, alarms and monitors

Technology Enabled Care Service (TECS) is fast becoming the accepted description for various sensors, alarms, monitors and technologies such as Telecare, Telehealth, Telemedicine and self-care apps. These can transform the way people engage their health and social care needs and empower them to manage in a way that’s right for them. Kent County Council has launched its Technology Enhanced Lives Service (TELS) to deliver TECS to the residents of Kent.

Technology Enabled Care Service is a monitoring and alert system that can help people live independently in their own homes by providing users, their carers, family, and friends reassurances that help is available in an emergency 24 hours a day.

It is designed to continuously evolve with the market to incorporate new technology products as they emerge. It has to be easy to use and accessible, so that the technology is considered before other forms of support.

Technology Enabled Care Service equipment works in several ways. Either through your telephone system, linking alarms, sensors and equipment in your home to an adviser in a monitoring and alarm receiving centre, or via alerts to a smart device (GPS device, self-care application, pager etc) to a family member or carer in the property.

The best known Technology Enabled Care Service  equipment is the Lifeline and Pendant alarm. There is a unit placed in your house and connected to your telephone line or broadband; a built-in loudspeaker and microphone allow a hands-free conversation to a monitoring and alarm receiving centre 24/7.

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

Everything is centred around providing the right care, in the right place, at the right time.

• Take a look at our Equipment House to explore adaptations, gadgets and equipment to help around the home.