Help the Elderly to Help Themselves

It has become a matter of fact in the past few years, that in the UK, we have an aging population. According to UK National Statistics, over the period of 1985 – 2010, the number of people aged 65 and over increased by 20% to 10.3 million.

According to NHS statistics, in 2009/2010, 12% of people in England aged 16 or over were caring for a sick, disabled or elderly person – the equivalent of five million carers.

With these statistics in mind, the demand for carers – whether publically funded or not – is on the rise and it looks as though demand is already surpassing resources resulting in relatives adopting the role.

Just as Telecare provides assistive technology services in order to help those who are elderly or less-mobile, there are also retailers who specialise in daily living aids for this aging audience. Not only could this assist those who struggle to live independently but it can also relieve the duties of carers working for free.

The time that relatives or friends put into care for their relatives/acquaintances in need has been declared as valuable, not only to our economy but also by those who may not have any other assistance. Research published by the University of Leeds in 2007 valued the unpaid care that was provided at about £87 billion a year – a staggering amount.

In order for those who need care to not feel like a burden, or to feel more confident in living self-sufficiently, aids for daily living around the home could help relax this demand for carers as well asenabling more elderly or less mobile people to live autonomously.

These aids can include anything that provides the vulnerable with the reassurance they need to remain living in their own home – whether it be a grab rail, non-slip mat, or bath lift.

One area that does make some uncomfortable about living alone can be security but there are products available to assist here also. For example, keypads attached next to your exterior front door can give carers (or anyone you choose to give the access code to) entry without you having to get up to answer the door – particularly helpful for those with mobility issues. Similarly, electronic door phones mean you can speak to the visitor on your doorstep via intercom before having to go and see who it is for yourself.

The fact is that carer resources are strained and shall become more so as our population’s age continues to rise, alongside budget cuts within the health sector. The more that can be done at home, the better, both for the stretched carers industry as well as the individuals who really just want to live their everyday lives as easily and hassle-free as possible.

Original article: http://www.telecaretechnology.com/index.php/help-elderly-help-themselves

Comprehensive guidance for lone workers now available online

A new web page has been launched today to provide lone workers and their employers with a central point of information on health and safety, legal obligations, quality standards and advice on choosing a reputable supplier of lone worker devices.

Launched by the Lone Worker Forum of the British Security Industry Association (BSIA), the page offers comprehensive, easy-to-understand advice and links to guidance documents, which set out the individual rights and responsibilities of both employers and their lone working employees.

Patrick Dealtry, Chairman of the BSIA’s Lone Worker Forum, comments: “More than six million people in the UK work either in isolation or without direct supervision, often in places or circumstances that put them at potential risk. A wide variety of organisations and industry sectors employ people whose jobs require them to work or operate alone, either regularly or occasionally.

“Almost by definition, lone working can be both intimidating and at times dangerous, so the protection of lone workers involves a twofold approach; not only to provide safeguards but also to offer reassurance to the people involved.”

There are also important considerations to be made when choosing a supplier of lone worker devices, which, Patrick adds, can be difficult, given the wide range of solutions currently available. He adds: “The BSIA’s Lone Worker Forum recommends that companies choose lone worker systems that are compliant to British Standard 8484, which is the Code of Practice for the provision of Lone Worker Services. BS8484 is the basis on which Police respond to lone worker systems, so it's important for employers to choose a supplier who works to these standards.”

“The launch of this dedicated web page means that employers can now find out more about the implications of BS8484, download useful guidance and locate reputable suppliers all in one place, coordinated by the leading trade association for the private security industry.”

Visit the BSIA Lone Worker Forum’s webpage today at http://www.bsia.co.uk/lone-workers

O2 launches mobile helpline service

O2 Health has launched a new mobile telecare service using devices that can detect falls and alert a 24/7 call centre.

Help at Hand involves a mobile-enabled pendant or wristwatch connected to a secure website and alarm receiving centre.

It has been trialled by Devon Partnership NHS Trust with people with mental health issues and Leeds City Council with older people and young people with learning difficulties.

O2 Health managing director Keith Nurcombe launched Help at Hand at the King’s Fund International Congress on Telehealth and Telecare 2012 yesterday.

He said it used the O2 mobile network to give patients the confidence and security of knowing they will be looked after if something happens affecting their health both inside and outside of the home.

Nurcombe said 99% of telecare systems available in the UK were land-line based, meaning patients only had this reassurance while at home, which restricted them in going about their daily lives.

If the alarm is activated on the device, receivers in a call centre can see the patient’s website profile with details about who to call and how to deal with different situations.

The pendant or wristwatch has a fall-down detector and GPS to locate the user. This means safe zones can be defined and, if a patient moves out of the zone, the call centre is alerted.

This feature was used in the Devon trial, which used GPS tracking to monitor those at risk of suicide and those using the low secure forensic service.

Devon Partnership NHS Trust managing partner research and development, Tobit Emmens, said the devices allowed healthcare professionals to interact with patients at risk from suicide when they entered into high risk areas, before the situation could escalate.

“In Devon we have places where people go to take their lives. Through conversations with patients we found that when entering into an area that holds difficult memories, it sometimes presents opportunities to make unhealthy decisions,” he explained.

Having the devices with them gave patients greater confidence that they could go about their lives and if a crisis emerged, it was dealt with at the time, Emmens added.

Help at Hand was also used to track low secure forensic service patients when they left the facility on leave.

Emmens said the trust was looking at longer term use of the system. Leeds City Council trialed the devices as part of its Leeds Telecare Service which currently has 70 users.

Spokeswoman Marianne Howard said use of Help at Hand reduced the likelihood of users needing to move into sheltered housing or residential care. Carers were not required to be with patients for such long periods which could reduce costs.

The system also gave peace of mind to carers who knew they would be alerted if there was a problem.

Nurcombe said the company was working on getting some hard data together on how the system reduces use of secondary care, but said telecare was proven to help avoid unnecessary admission to care homes, reduce emergency call outs and days in hospital.

Help at Hand will be available to health and social care organisations from April. Nurcombe said it would ultimately also be released to the public so consumers can buy it for themselves.

(original article: http://www.ehi.co.uk/news/primary-care/7598/o2-launches-mobile-helpline-service)

Hillingdon Council's Free Telecare to Over 85's Delivers Real Benefits

Hillingdon Council is offering free Lifeline telecare packages from Tunstall to residents over the age of 85 through its TeleCareLine service, to promote safe and independent living by bringing support for service users directly into their homes.


More than 960 installations have been completed since 1 April 2011, almost doubling the number carried out in the previous year. Of these installations, more than 400 have been self-referrals from Hillingdon residents as a result of the council's efforts to raise awareness of the telecare service at user level.


With the population of those over 85 estimated to increase by 11 per cent by 2015, the priority for Hillingdon Council is to work in partnership with NHS Hillingdon to develop a new model of care by combining telehealthcare services in the borough, to help maximise independent living in the community. The aim is to create a fundamental shift in service provision away from institutionalised care, towards home-based support, risk prevention and early intervention.


Linda Sanders, Corporate Director for Social Care, Health & Housing said: "Technology like TeleCareLine can play a vital role in helping care for an ageing population and that's why in Hillingdon we are offering it to those aged over 85 for free. By enabling residents to stay in their own homes we can reduce the demand for residential or nursing care, which can in turn result in significant savings for the council."


Similar telecare packages are also available for all residents of the borough, and are free for the first six weeks as part of a re-ablement service and for those individuals who meet FACs(1) criteria subject to a financial assessment.


Kevin Alderson, Health and Social Care Policy Director at Tunstall said: "Hillingdon Council's ethos of risk prevention and early intervention directly reflects the national drive for more preventative, community-based care to meet the growing demands of an ageing population. Providing free telecare to people over 85 makes a tremendous difference in maintaining their independence and reducing risks and Tunstall are delighted to be part of it."


Hillingdon's TeleCareLine service offers a range of telecare sensors to enable residents to live safely, securely and most importantly, independently. The service provides varying levels of support, ranging from the standard service package to the highest level of support, with full access to a range of telecare sensors to address residents' individual needs. Each eligible resident is provided with a Lifeline Connect+ personal alarm, a MyAmie+ pendant, bogus call alarm and a smoke detector as standard, with additional sensors provided based on the residents' individual needs.


Grace Marks, a Hillingdon resident currently using the TeleCareLine service said: "This system has given me and my family real peace of mind. I've always been an independent person and through Hillingdon TeleCareLine, I can stay living at home with the reassurance that, if something happened, help wouldn't be far away."


Cabinet Member for Social Care, Health and Housing, Councillor Philip Corthorne, added: "Like most people, our older residents and those with disabilities have told us they want to be, and remain, independent. Hillingdon's TeleCareLine service allows them to do just that, safe in the knowledge that assistance is on hand should they need it."


Hillingdon works to support its older population through social care, housing and support services. The council's approach to supporting more people in the community includes the development of a range of supported housing schemes to provide a broader continuum of accommodation options including extra care housing. The council also hopes to extend its telecare provision to a further 3,000 people over the next four years.


As well as those aged over 85, anyone who is a Hillingdon resident can apply to use the TeleCareLine service.

Study reveals "true benefits" of lone worker solutions for healthcare sector

The Royal College of Nursing's latest survey has uncovered the true benefits of lone worker devices to healthcare employees, many of whom are often required to work alone or in remote areas

According to the RCN’s survey, more than 60% of community nurses spend more than half of their time as a lone worker without immediate access to a colleague for support.

Over 70% reported having been subjected to either physical or verbal abuse during the course of their jobs in the past two years, with many agreeing that the risk they face has increased (largely due to the increased expectations of patients, their relatives and carers).

Thankfully, the use of lone worker devices by many NHS Trusts and private healthcare firms is helping to alleviate this situation.

Working alongside their clients in the healthcare sector, several members of the British Security Industry Association (BSIA) have developed highly effective lone worker devices equipped with GSM (mobile phone) technology to connect employees quickly and discreetly with an emergency response system that has direct links to the police.

In fact, a number of products are now commercially available from BSIA member companies (including the device used largely across the NHS and which is styled like an ID card holder).

Summoning help when required

Monitored by an Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC), lone worker devices allow users to send a pre-activation message when they are entering an area of potential risk (for example, a dark car park).

If the end user experiences a problem or encounters a situation that seems likely to escalate into something more serious then the lone worker device can be activated to summon help.

Activating the lone worker device automatically triggers a voice call to the ARC. No further action is required by the user, as the device effectively functions as an open microphone, enabling the ARC to capture an audio recording of the incident for future action such as police investigation of legal proceedings.

Operators at the ARC also monitor the audio channel in real-time, enabling them to assess the situation and alert the police if the user needs help or protection. This procedure allows the police to optimise their response to genuine emergencies by providing a ‘moving picture’ of the incident, including an increase or decrease in risk as it happens.

The very knowledge that this is taking place is, of course, a major boost to the user’s confidence. Over 40% of respondents to the RCN’s survey agreed that the use of a lone worker device would increase their confidence to work alone.

BSIA Lone Worker Steering Group

The BSIA operates a dedicated Lone Worker Steering Group which was instrumental in the creation of British Standard BS 8484 – a crucial consideration for anyone purchasing lone worker devices – and has also published two downloadable guides providing both employers and lone workers themselves with easy-to-follow advice.

‘Lone Workers – An Employer’s Guide’ informs employers about and what to look for when sourcing a supplier. The guide covers the employers’ responsibilities to its lone workers, as well as specific criteria for selecting technology, monitoring services and providers (including the possession of quality management systems such as ISO 9001 and the delivery of appropriate training).

For employees whose role requires them to work alone, the BSIA has produced a separate guide entitled: ‘Lone Workers – An Employee’s Guide’.

James Kelly, chief executive of the BSIA, explained: "These guides recognise the importance of keeping lone workers safe and secure. Responsible employers will consider the Health and Safety of their lone workers as a top priority."

Kelly added: "The use of lone worker devices can help by connecting such employees with an emergency response system that has direct links to the police. British Standard BS 8484 is the basis on which the police respond to lone worker systems, so it's important for employers to choose a supplier who works to these standards."

To find out more about the BSIA and the work of its members, or to find a reputable supplier of lone worker devices near you, visit the Association’s website.

(Original article: http://www.info4security.com/story.asp?sectioncode=9&storycode=4128567)

Why telehealth will transform care of Kent’s patients

Locally, we have already seen what a dramatic effect telecare and telehealth can have on the daily life and wellbeing of people with long-term health problems after it was introduced by the primary care trusts in Kent and Kent County Council seven years ago.

Take, for instance, Haris Patel, 54, from Folkestone whose health conditions include problems caused by hardening of the arteries.

He said: “Before I had telehealth, I used to spend 10 months of each year in hospital. Since I got it, I have been in for two weeks in the last three years, and that was planned. Telehealth gives me peace of mind.”

Now the Department of Health is so impressed with the results of the Whole System Demonstrator Programme, which tested the technology in Kent, Cornwall and Newham, that it is championing its use nationwide.

The project found there was a 45 per cent reduction in deaths among patients taking part, a 15 per cent drop in attendance at A&E, and 20 per cent fewer emergency admissions to hospital.

Care services minister Paul Burstow said: “People were absolutely clear that high-tech healthcare has improved their lives for the better.

“I want to see more people across the country benefit. That is why we are working with industry, the NHS and councils to change the lives of three million people across England over the next five years.”

So what is this technology? Telecare, introduced in Kent in 2004, offers remote monitoring of people’s safety. Available to vulnerable people, who meet specific criteria, it consists of sensors that can be worn (such as a falls monitor on the belt) or placed in the home (such as a flood alarm if someone might not remember to turn off the taps).

Sensors are connected to a 24-hour monitoring centre which contacts the person and raises the alarm if there is a problem.

Telehealth, which enables remote monitoring of people’s health, is even more innovative.

Available in Kent since 2005, it offers suitable patients with conditions such as diabetes, lung disease and heart disease, the chance to measure their pulse, blood pressure, blood glucose, blood oxygen level, peak flow (lung capacity), temperature and weight, all at home.

Their community matron from Kent Community Health NHS Trust, or specialist nurse, monitors their readings from day to day, picking up subtle changes in their health before they develop into something more serious.

This helps people stay well – as does the power it gives them over their lives. People get to ‘know their numbers’ and understand the impact their day- to-day life has on their health, so they can spot when things are deteriorating and take action.

It has been such a success that the technology is no longer just a pilot – it is being rolled out across Kent and Medway and will be available as part of the care package for those who are eligible.

This is a wonderful example of what the NHS and social care can achieve by working closely together to improve the quality of life for local people.

(Original article: http://www.yourcanterbury.co.uk/blogs/why_telehealth_will_transform_care_of_kent_s_patients_1_1176973)

Is it time to change the name ‘Lone Worker’?

BS8484 was deliberately produced early on in the development of the Lone Worker Protection market with the intention of imposing controls on false alarm rates from an early stage.

While this has been shown to be a real benefit, with a very low rate of false alarms and therefore a high level of police support, it can expose other problems which were not foreseen with little market experience.  One of these is the name ‘Lone Worker’.

While the name did not get a mention in Health & Safety legislation it is there that we find its roots. The HSE were using the term at an early stage and it served its purpose well by highlighting the vulnerability of a specific employment group which signalled the birth of the Lone Worker market.

The Police were clearly going to be a most significant element in the market, as the primary response service, and they liked the name for two reasons:

Restricting it to employees only gave a degree of built-in control against false alarms because;

1. There was a mechanism to control bad practice and therefore reduce false alarms
2. Services would only be purchased and used in response to a specific threat identified through a formal risk assessment process
3. There would be training – both on using the device/service and on the avoidance and management of potentially dangerous situations
4. The term Lone Worker effectively excludes ‘consumers’ who are by definition beyond organisational control and who would probably purchase such devices and services for more general and unspecified risk to elderly relatives and young children or teenagers.  The fear was that without the discipline of the corporate environment, including training and control over their use, many more false alarms would be created.

However, while the term has been instrumental in mobilising the market it also confuses many who are not familiar with it.  It does not immediately conjure up an image of many of those vulnerable people to whom it in fact applies.  To the initiated it implies someone whose job is essentially solitary and risky because there are no other people around them; perhaps a distant figure toiling in the field vulnerable to accident or sudden illness.  Not many organisations have such people so why should they be interested?

While this remains a possible use the most likely situations are those where there is a threat because they are not alone; that there are one or more others present who could represent a threat to them.   The term ‘Lone’ therefore has come to mean someone who is not actually alone but is ‘Lone’ in the sense of having no co-workers to come to their immediate aid if required.

Also, as various organisations have discovered the flexibility of such services and how they could be applied to all sorts of people and situations, so the term Lone Worker has become further muddled.

For example several police forces that have responsibility for the protection of high risk domestic violence victims use Lone Worker services to allow them to call for help if they need to.  By no stretch of the imagination can such people be described as Lone Workers yet Lone Worker services have, in such circumstances, saved lives, saved serious injury and put violent offenders behind bars.   While they are not Lone
Workers these are certainly ‘vulnerable people’ and perhaps this would be a more accurate description?

They are also clearly at risk and maybe this would be an even better description – ‘People at Risk’?  It has the clear advantage of relating to risk which would perhaps focus people on that key word as an essential precursor to buying.

Words with imprecise meanings create false images in people’s minds.   It is quite possible that the images conjured up by the term ‘Lone Worker’ in the minds of those hearing it for the first time, without the benefit of a full explanation, are something of
a turn-off.

It is also quite possible, even probable, that this lack of precision has contributed to confusion and consequent slow development in the market.

If this is so it will, more importantly, have failed to reduce vulnerability for some ‘People at Risk’.

(source: http://www.bs8484.com/v2/2011/12/is-it-time-to-change-the-name-%E2%80%98lone-worker%E2%80%99/)