Peace of mind at the touch of a button - Newcastle pilots free Telecare for the over 85s

5000 city senior citizens can get peace of mind at the touch of a button as Newcastle City Council teams up with Your Homes Newcastle to offer six months of free Telecare to local people aged 85 and over.

Telecare is an alarm service operated by YHN which older residents can use to call for help if they feel unsafe, unwell or have had a fall.

An alarm unit activated by a pendant connects people to trained staff 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, meaning there is always someone on hand to offer advice, call family and friends or alert the emergency services if needed. Mobile wardens can also be dispatched to give non-emergency help.

Ewen Weir, Executive Director of Adult and Culture Services, said: “Services like this can be vital in maintaining people’s independence and improving their quality of life and confidence. Telecare helps people stay independent and safe in their own homes and gives them and their family real peace of mind.

“Older people are the fastest growing group in society. Today we have 5800 people over the age of 85 in the city, and by 2013 this figure will have risen to 6300. By 2029 it will have risen by two thirds.

“The connection between old age and increased falls and vulnerability is well known. But simple services like this can have a huge impact on reducing the need for more intensive services like residential care and they give people more choice and control in later life.”

Alyson Bell, Care Services Manager at Your Homes Newcastle, added: “We’ve worked together with Adult and Culture Services for some time to support the most vulnerable older people in Newcastle, but we’re really excited about this new pilot because it offers our services to people who aren’t currently getting support.

“Even if people haven’t needed any support in the past, telecare can give them and their families peace of mind now and in future. In addition to the basic 24-hour alarm service, telecare can adapt to a person’s changing support needs and can be used to help prevent health risks.”

The 6 month trial service is open to people who:

• are aged 85 or over; and
• are new to Telecare; and
• don’t have access to another community alarm or warden service

More information is available from 0191 278 8699 and www.newcastle.gov.uk/telecare.