Technology and equipment to help you at home

Technology Enabled Care (TEC)

Assistive technology

Assistive technologies are often pieces of equipment designed to help you with everyday activities that have become difficult.

Examples of assistive technology include:

• simple mobile phones
• speaking watches
• bath plugs that reduce the risk of scalding and flooding
• remote control for electrical items in the home
• automatic pill dispensers
• picture clocks with visual and audible alerts/reminders for a variety of daily tasks such as eating, drinking and taking medication

What you might have to pay

TEC equipment is issued by the council free to those that need it.

Alternatively, you can buy your own technology or equipment from local services. Our directory lists some of the technology and equipment providers in our area.

Fall / motion sensors, monitors and alarms (telecare)

Telecare is a service that provides sensors and monitors. For example, technology that can detect motion or a fall. It is often linked to a community alarm system that triggers a warning at a monitoring centre. The monitoring centre can then organise an appropriate response to the alert raised by the device.
 

Examples of telecare equipment include:

• care alarms and sensors
• pendant alarms (which you wear around your neck) with built-in fall detectors
• GPS devices to manage wandering
• smoke alarms
• flood detectors
• Carbon Monoxide (CO) detectors
• heat/cold sensors

You can find more information on personal alarms and monitoring systems on the NHS website.

Find local personal alarm and telecare providers on our directory. You can also search for providers on the Telecare Services Association website.

What you might have to pay

If you get telecare equipment from the council, we can provide the monitoring devices connected to an alarm/monitoring centre for free, but you may need to pay for the monitoring service. We will complete a financial assessment to work out how much you need to pay. Depending on your circumstances, you may need to pay all, some or none of the monitoring service cost.

Alternatively, you can buy your own technology or equipment from local services. Our directory lists some of the technology and equipment providers in our area.

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Equipment

Preventing falls

There are different pieces of equipment you could buy or install to help prevent trips and falls, for example:

• grab rails in the shower, bath or by a door, to give you easier access over a step
• a bath or shower seat
• chair raisers or seat lifts to help you stand up from low chairs

You can find out about preventing falls here.

What you might have to pay

TEC equipment is issued by the council free to those that need it.

Alternatively, you can buy your own equipment from local services. Our directory lists some of the technology and equipment providers in our area.

Home adaptations

Depending on your needs, you may be able to adapt your home to help you. There may be minor adaptations you can make to help you move around your home. This could include creating an accessible washing or access to your home.

You may be eligible for a Disabled Facilities Grant. These grants can be used towards adaptations to give you better freedom of movement and access within your home.

What you might have to pay

If you get support from the council and need adaptations, we will complete a financial assessment to work out how much you need to pay. You may be eligible for free minor adaptations. Depending on your circumstances, we might:

• pay the full cost
• pay part of the cost
• give advice about suppliers you can use to pay for what you need yourself

Alternatively, you can buy your own technology or equipment from local services. Our directory lists some of the technology and equipment providers in our area.

Custom made equipment

Remap Berkshire provide free, custom-made, unique equipment to help disabled people live more independent lives.

If you think Remap Berkshire could help, you can contact Robert Monk on 07790 127123, email Berks.CaseOfficer@remapgroups.org.uk, or make a remap referral online.

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Getting support from the council

If you would like help from the council, we will first have a discussion with you. This will help us to find out your needs and what technology or equipment might help. If you require support, we will complete a care and support needs assessment. This helps us to find out your care and support needs.

If you need bespoke equipment to meet your needs, we will work with you to progress this further.

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Getting help from the NHS

The NHS may provide short-term care for free if you are leaving hospital and need extra support to help you recover.

If you receive NHS continuing health care, or an NHS intermediate care package, they may pay for telecare, telehealth or assistive technology for you. See the NHS care and support you can get for free page for more information.

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If you're not sure what might help you

You can find information on personal alarms, monitoring systems and key safes on the NHS website. Which? also have some useful guides on assistive technology, mobility and equipment and stairlifts.

The Alzheimer's Society have information about assistive technology and how it could help someone with dementia.

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