Bracknell

Any Bracknell person who is elderly, has a disability or has a condition which may impair their safety at home, can apply for a new, simple and innovative alarm system to help ensure their well-being and maintain their independence.

Bracknell Forest Borough Council has been awarded more than £70,000 to invest in an exciting new technological support system called Telecare, which aims to help elderly people, people with disabilities or living with certain conditions to live independently in their own home for as long as possible.

The Council is now asking elderly Bracknell people, people with mental health conditions, certain long-term illness and people with disabilities, who may benefit from sensors -which can detect falls in the home as well as flooding and smoke- to come forward and see if they are eligible.

Telecare consists of wireless sensors and detectors, such as flood detectors and smoke detectors, placed in the homes which are monitored 24 hours a day, 365 days a year by Forestcare, the Council’s emergency control centre

The discrete sensors and detectors are placed around the home, and depending on what the person needs it for, it can do things like set off alarms when a person has fallen; turn off a TV or lamp; shut off a gas supply to a cooker if the gas is left on, and alert the person to flooding.

Telecare helps to ensure people living in their own homes with disabilities and certain conditions can be supported to live independently, with added security and reassurance for them, their family and carers.

It is used in addition to existing care offered by Bracknell Council and as well as providing security it also helps to manage risks in the home by giving off alerts to potential problems, such as falling, which helps people to live independently without the fear they may not be able to get help in an emergency.

For instance family members of elderly relatives can be reassured that should a sensor be activated due to a fall or flood, a message is sent to the Forestcare control centre, where trained operators take the most appropriate action and contact either a family member, neighbour, doctor or emergency services.

It is hoped that Telecare, will be able to help many more elderly people in Bracknell Forest to live at home for longer but the Council is also keen to hear from people with dementia, mental illness, epilepsy or who has a history of falls who may benefit from Telecare to get in touch. Glyn Jones, Assistant Director of Community Safety, said: "Keeping the home as safe as possible for our elderly residents and those who may need additional help is of key importance. Telecare is a great way of ensuring help is available for those who want to live as independently as possible but want the reassurance of knowing 24-hour help is available if necessary."

Cllr Dale Birch, Executive Member for Bracknell Adults Services, Health and Housing, said: "Anyone who thinks they could benefit from having Telecare should get in touch with the Council as soon as possible.

"With this new technology installed it could mean that some of our most vulnerable residents are able to carrying on living in their own home and in their own environment rather than having to go into sheltered accommodation or care."

Following an assessment from Bracknell Council’s social services department, people who are eligible can receive the sensors free under the Government’s Preventative Technology Grant (PTG). A small weekly charge for the Forestcare Lifeline service would be made to ensure that emergency help was available 24 hours a day.

More information on Forestcare and Telecare can be found on the Council’s website at www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk or for more information on Forestcare please call 01344 786500

For details on Telecare assessments please call Adult Social Services front desk on 01344 351500.

Bracknell Forest Borough Council