Technology enabled care services have a vital role to play within our health, care and housing sectors. These help older people to live more independently, with the ability to control the support they receive. In this article, Appello explores who can benefit from technology enabled care, why it’s essential, and shares real-world examples of its impact
Who is technology enabled care for?
Thanks to the diversity of technology enabled care (TEC) services and devices, technology enabled care can meet a range of needs. This makes it suitable for people of all ages, helping people manage both their mental and physical health – covering everything from general wellbeing to living with multiple long-term health conditions.
The NHS Technology Enabled Care Services Resource for Commissioners explains how TEC services may be appropriate at various stages of an individual’s life, with examples such as:
- telehealth to monitor high-risk pregnancies
- teleconsultation to support Child and Mental Health Services (CAMHS)
- telecare to maintain independence and provide carer support
As a housing provider or local authority, your TEC services will be designed to support older people and enrich their lives, so they can remain in their own home, or a home-like environment such as assisted living or extra care accommodation.
Why TEC is important
The benefits of technology enabled care are wide-ranging, not only for the people who rely on TEC services but also the organisations delivering these and our wider health and care systems.
This is because technology enabled care is a flexible solution that can:
- empower people to take charge of their own health and care
- promote person-centred care
- boost the efficiency and effectiveness of key services
- enable preventative care and early intervention
Many of these benefits are underpinned by digital. This is a much more powerful technology than its analogue predecessor. As a result, there are more opportunities to link together TEC services and provide comprehensive and tailored support.
The digital phone switchover, which is currently in progress, means digital is becoming the industry standard. This is a major change, already affecting services that still rely on analogue technology. As the rollout of the digital network continues across the country, it’s essential to make sure your TEC services are compatible and operate safely during and after this transition period.
Examples of TEC
There are many examples showing how technology enabled care is being implemented in practice and the positive difference these important services make on the people who rely on them.
These include:
- NHS TECS Study Database – case study examples of how TEC projects have been implemented in the UK and elsewhere, the challenges they faced and the key learnings.
- TSA Telling the TEC Story – a collection of people’s personal stories showing how TEC can be used to transform lives and support different needs.
- Making It Real – a set of co-produced statements that describe what good care and support looks like, in collaboration with Think Local Act Personal and The National Co-Production Advisory Group.
- Appello telecare resources – including the Ultimate Guide to Telecare and video case studies.
- TAPPI resources from the Housing LIN – including personal stories on how digital technology affects individual’s lives.
Appello, a Housing Digital Stakeholder, offers Smart Living Solutions as its flagship digital telecare system. Appello is here to help you develop effective TEC services. Our goal is to provide all the facts on the digital switch, so you can make decisions with confidence. Talk to us about your next steps for a pain-free transition to digital services.
Main image: Ground Picture/Shutterstock
Read more: Appello: What you need to know about Technology Enabled Care
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