Assistive technology from Gateshead Care Call
We can provide a wide range of different technology solutions that can manage many risks around the home.
On this page you will find the current products we have available, however this is a fast-growing market. If you can't see a device listed or have an unusual case, please contact the Care Call team as we may still be able to help.
- Life Line
- Pendants
- Fall detectors
- Smoke detector
- Property exit sensors
- Pill dispenser
- GPS tracking device
- Bed and chair sensors
- Flood detector
- Temperature extreme
- Carbon monoxide detector
- Epilepsy alarms
- Carer Assist
- Sensory support
- Just Checking (lifestyle monitoring)
-Medication prompts (short term only)
- The future - virtual assistants and apps
Life Line
Life Lines provide plug in and play technology to protect people living in their own homes. All Life Lines come with a pendant but can have additional telecare sensors linked to them.
Pendants
These allow the wearer to make an emergency call anywhere in their property. They are worn mainly around the neck or on the wrist and are fully waterproof, so do not need to be removed for personal care tasks. When installed, a range test will be completed to highlight any black spots that the pendant may not pick up from.
For those with dexterity problems we can also supply easy push adaptors which can be fitted over the pendants.
Fall detectors
Over the years these have developed rapidly, using algorithms to calculate whether a fall has taken place. We use the latest version to detect hard falls where a resident has been in a standing position and dropped suddenly to the floor. The technology can't pick up on slow slides or controlled falls, however all come with the option of the manual button to alert for help.
These are ideal for those who have memory problems or suffer from blackouts. Whilst it's not a guaranteed solution it gives additional support rather than the reliance of the person having to press for help themselves.
Smoke detectors
Linked via the Life Line units, if activated, an alarm call will be triggered to Care Call and appropriate action will be taken swiftly, reducing the risk to life and property.
These are located within the prime risk areas of an individual's property.
Property exit sensors
These are suitable for those with Dementia or early stages of confusion and can be placed on the person's door to alert if they leave their property and are at risk. Care Call staff will notify any relevant contacts or next of kin to make sure the person returns home safely.
Timed sensors can be installed and will work automatically on specified at risk intervals. We can also install sensors that can be turned on or off when required by next of kin or care staff.
Pill dispenser
These will give the person an audible alert when medication is due. The dispenser will have the correct dose ready to dispense. If the dose should fail to be taken an alert call will be sent to Care Call staff, who will then notify any relevant contacts that medication has been missed.
The dispenser needs to be filled by a nominated person on a regular basis. Some pharmacies will fill spare cassettes rather than Dossett boxes, however this will have to be discussed and agreed with the relevant pharmacist.
An easy tip dispenser can also be provided if the person would struggle to tip the dispenser when the medication is due.
GPS tracking device
This is ideal for people who may have Dementia and have been prone to going missing, or to enable safe travelling for people with learning disabilities.
The system can pin point a person's location and will save the history of where they have been. The person must agree to wear the device and it will need to be charged regularly. The wearer can press a button to call for help should they become lost or feel at risk. The location at this point will also be uploaded to the systems. Safe or unsafe zones can also be set and an additional option of a falls alert.
Care Call will notify any alerts to relevant contacts to ensure the safety of the wearer.
Bed and chair sensors
These sensors will give an immediate alert to whether the person is trying to unsafely transfer. They can be timed to give the person a set amount of time to return to their bed or chair before an alert is triggered.
Flood detector
These are ideal for people who may have memory problems and could forget they have the water running, for example for a bath.
Placed within the bathroom or kitchen, it will alert if it detects an overflow or possible flood, therefore,reducing the damage to the property.
Temperature extreme
This can be placed within a property to alert if the temperature changes to an unsafe level, putting the person at risk.
They can be fitted in various rooms, but the Life Line can also be configured to activate this without the need of an additional sensor. However, this will only monitor the room in which the Life Line is placed.
Carbon monoxide detector
These sense the presence of Carbon Monoxide and are ideal where the person has an older gas fire. Care Call will get in touch with the relevant contacts to ensure the person's safety.
Epilepsy alarms
Bed sensor
These are placed underneath the person's mattress and will alert if a seizure has taken place overnight. Care Call will follow the escalation process set at the point of referral. In some cases this is a next of kin or ambulance.
Wrist-worn device
This will monitor the person day and night and will alert if a seizure has been detected. Care Call will follow the escalation process set at the point of referral. The wrist sensor will need to be charged for one hour each day to ensure the battery life. This system unfortunately doesn't have a battery backup if the resident has a power cut, however it will send through a notification before it loses power completely.
Enuresis mat
This is a washable cotton sheet that is placed on the person's bed. If they were to become incontinent through the night, it will alert Care Call to notify the relevant contacts.
Carer Assist
This is in place of a Life Line for when carers are located on site. It can have numerous items of technology linked to notify carers immediately, so they can respond. This can be also be used for multiple occupancy homes.
If a person is in their own home and care givers are on site, a Life Line would also be provided in case other assistance is required.
Sensory support
A DDA Pager will alert the person if the smoke alarm sounds or doorbell rings. It can have a flashing beacon linked and a vibrating pillow alert.
If the individual has mobility problems as well as sensory issues, we would look to link via Care Call.
The Council has its own sensory support team for equipment that is not monitored. For further information call the team on 0191 433 2899.
Just Checking (lifestyle monitoring)
Lifestyle monitoring can give an excellent overview of a person's needs and assist in carrying out a full assessment. The kit is simple to install and reports movement activity in certain rooms of the home. It can highlight if a person is visiting the toilet or bathroom on a regular basis. The door sensors will also highlight any at risk activities with the external doors, for example night time activity.
Just Checking can be installed into the person's home for a six week assessment period. Both the care worker and next of kin get access. The data collected can help identify the level of help needed.
The system should be used for a minimum of two weeks before a decision goes to panel for permanent care.
Medication prompts (short term only)
If the person's next of kin are going away on holiday,Care Call can provide medication prompts on a short-term basis until their return.
To enquire about short term medication prompts please email carecallmanagers@gateshead.gov.uk
The future - virtual assistants and apps
Technology is moving forward and adapting at a fast pace. There are many new items to the market that can add to a person's quality of life and assist them to remain independent.
For example, Amazon Alexa products are voice controlled and follow several verbal instructions and complete simple tasks.
With added accessories the person can control their heating, turn on lights, play music, increase safety and even complete shopping orders.
It is important that we move with the times and put this type of equipment into good use, especially for customers who will embrace the opportunity.
There are also numerous apps now available to help with people's day to day living and some have proven to increases a person's confidence and abilities.