Telecare & Assistive Technology: Publications, Memory Technology Centres, Related Organisations & Suppliers
Official Seniors Alert Scheme Publications:
Review of the Delivery Model of the Seniors Alert Scheme (SAS): Report to Pobal January 2017 – This Review was commissioned by Pobal in 2016, following official notice being given of the termination of the Seniors Alarm Scheme, reports on the “…effectiveness of the current Senior Alarm Scheme (SAS) in Ireland in the context of the roles of stakeholders such as community groups, equipment providers and installers, and monitoring centres. It also examines the opportunity for improved performance, greater cost-effectiveness and a wider role for the scheme than may be possible through realising the potential of new technologies.”
Seniors Alert Scheme Pobal End of Year Monitoring Report 2016 (Pobal Progress Report) – This report provides details on the Seniors Alert Scheme between the period September 2015 to the end of December 2016. This represents the first 16 months of Pobal’s responsibility for the schemes administration.
Pobal Seniors Alert Scheme Brochure (2015) – The Seniors Alert Scheme was transferred to Pobal in 2015. Pobal introduced a number of changes to the scheme including “…migrating to an online system; A centralised procurement process; Organisations will no longer be required to obtain three quotes for the purchase of alarms”.
Seniors Alert Scheme Information Booklet (2010) – The changes which took place as a result of the ‘Review of the Scheme of Community Support for Older People (CSOP)‘ were outlined in this booklet. Recommendations included a “Simplified application process; Reduced administrative burdens on groups; More clearly defined criteria for assessing older people’s eligibility for the grant”.
Review of Scheme of Community Support for Older People (CSOP) 2010 – This review resulted in the previous ‘Scheme of Community Support for Older People’ which funded alarms and other equipment for older people being ended. A new ‘Seniors Alert Scheme’ was created as a result of the review, in 2010.
Telecare & Assistive Technology in Ireland – Various Publications
Assistive Technology for People with Disabilities and Older People, A Discussion Paper – This discussion paper from Enable Ireland and the Disability Federation of Ireland(DFI) addresses the use of, and barriers to use of, assistive technologies in Ireland. The paper highlights the relatively low cost of many assistive technologies.
Health Service Executive (HSE) Telecare Systems Study – Home solutions: a study into the benefits of telecare systems for older people choosing to remain at home
The role of telecare in supporting carers of older people (CARDI) – As well as helping older people to live in their own homes for longer, telecare has the potential to support and help family carers. In order to explore the potential contribution of telecare in helping carers of older people, CARDI funded the development of a research network in 2009 to assess the impact of telecare on carers of older people in terms of reducing stress and increasing quality of life. This research brief which looks at both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, is based on the findings of that network as well as CARDI’s own research.
Telecare Systems Information Leaflet – Memory Technology Library (South Tipperary) – 5 Steps to Living well with Dementia
Telecare & Telehealth Related Websites
Telehealth & Telecare Aware – Telehealth & Telecare Aware™ has been providing a specialised, free international news and information service since 2005 (originally as just ‘Telecare Aware’) to people interested in telecare and telehealth. Its purpose is to help suppliers and service providers around the world keep up to date with what each other are doing. It has been growing steadily – by word of mouth – for the past few years. It is an independent service without allegiances, except to its readers. The team at Telehealth & Telecare Aware™ are “…technology advocates, with an eye to what best works in keeping people of all ages independent and healthier”.
A Caring Community – Irish Website containing information on telecare, crime prevention and the Seniors Alert Scheme grants in Ireland.
UKTelehealthcare – A UK based membership organisation for “Telecare and Telehealth professionals, service providers, Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs), Registered Social Landlords (RSLs), suppliers and organisations with a related professional interest.” Their mission is to support health and care professionals and suppliers to deliver the widest choice and range of appropriate Technology Enabled Care Services to patients, service users and their carers’ and to raise awareness of these services to the public so that they can make informed choices of how this will benefit their care and support.
Telecare Suppliers & Emergency Response Providers
TASK Community Care – Ireland’s longest established supplier of telecare systems and 24/7 monitoring. Supplies pendant alarms and telecare throughout Ireland & the UK.
Home Response & Assistance – Emergency Alarm Mobile Call-Out Service Brochure – A ‘non-medical’ mobile response service for socially monitored/pendant alarms. Home Response and Assistance Ltd’s 24 hour call-out service, provides trained staff to respond to non-medical emergency alarm activations, when family or carers may not be available.
Equipment Demonstration Centres for Telecare Systems (Ireland)
The Memory Technology Library (South Tipperary) – This Equipment Demonstration Centre is part of the “Five Steps to Living Well with Dementia in South Tipperary” Project. This project is jointly funded by Atlantic Philanthropies and the HSE through the Genio Trust. It includes telecare systems demonstration equipment and also other types of assistive technologies.
More listings coming soon…
European Standards for Telecare Systems
Information on European Standard – EN50134 Series for Social Alarms and Telecare Systems