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How can I get help with a Community Alarm or Telecare?

 

What is the community alarm scheme?

The community alarm scheme allows you to call for help in an emergency at any time, day or night.

Close Up of a Community Alarm PendantA community alarm connects to, and uses, your own telephone to contact a trained operator. You wear a pendant with a button which, when pressed by you, sends a signal through the telephone to our centre operators. Our trained operators will speak to you directly to ask what kind of help you needs and will arrange for help to arrive if needed.

See our guide to community alarms and telecare or call us on 08456 081206 for more information.

 

What is telecare?

Telecare technology being used at homeTelecare provides a range of additional alarm systems that can alert you when something needs your attention or alert others to help you when you need it. Telecare is designed to support and maintain a person's independence at home.

The equipment is unobtrusive and is installed in your home by trained technicians with minimal disruption. Examples of telecare alert systems are:

  • Waist worn falls detector and Vitalbase wrist worn falls detector fall detector
  • smoke / fire detector
  • flood detector
  • gas detector
  • occupancy detector
  • door contacts which can raise an alert when the door is opened
  • pressure mats which detect movement or lack of movement

These are just some examples of telecare services available. Telecare can offer a safer home environment and give you greater control over your lifestyle. Telecare can provide re-assurance and access to immediate help if needed.

See our guide to community alarms and telecare or call us on 08456 081206 for more information.

 

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Who is entitled to community alarm and telecare services?

Pensioner Wearing Her Community Alarm PendantIf you need care to live independently at home, whatever your age, and if you have:

  • increasing frailty
  • dementia
  • a long term health condition
  • physical disability
  • sensory impairment
  • mental health problems, or
  • problems with substance misuse

you may be eligible.

If you think you, a relative, neighbour or friend may benefit from our community alarm or telecare services, you can make a referral to us. You can do this by:

Alternatively, you can ask health care staff at your local GP practice to make a referral on your behalf.

We run a charging policy for care at home services, including community alarms and telecare. Further details are available in our information booklet contributing to the cost of your care at home.

 

How can I get help with community alarm or telecare?

More information on community alarms and telecare is in our guide to community alarms and telecare and our TeleHealthCare brochure:

This guide and brochure will help you identify which equipment may support you or a family member.

 

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Community alarm or telecare self-assessment

 

What is a community alarm or telecare self-assessment?

This is a form which details information about the person who may need help in an emergency at any time, day or night. You are asked to nominate three contacts from family, friends or neighbours who are happy to be contacted in an emergency to go to you. It also includes information such as your doctor's details and the type of equipment requested.

Medications Aid Time CueYou also need to complete a service agreement. The service agreement explains what we are responsible for and what the person using the community alarm and telecare services is responsible for.

If you need more information about the type of telecare equipment that is available please refer to our guide to community alarms and telecare.

 

How can I do a community alarm or telecare self-assessment?

If you think you, a relative, neighbour or friend may benefit from our community alarm or telecare services, please complete the self-assessment form and service agreement:

 

Our guide to community alarms and telecare contains more information about the types of telecare equipment available.

Joint Equipment CentreOnce complete, please return the self-assessment form and service agreement to:

Joint Equipment Centre
Burghmuir Place
Inverurie
AB51 4FW

Or email to: Jointequipmentcentre@aberdeenshire.gov.uk

By signing and dating the service agreement you agree to:

  • maintain a telephone line and electrical supply
  • pay the current weekly charge for the community alarm scheme

 

A member of staff will contact you to arrange installation of the equipment requested in the self-assessment form.

 

What happens if I am not happy with the application process?

If you are unhappy with any part of the application process, please call the Joint Equipment Centre on 01467 628511 who will arrange for a staff member to talk to you or visit to discuss any issues.

If you are still dissatisfied you can use our complaints procedure.

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