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Go to siteDigital telecare can enhance safety and living experiences in retirement home facilities
Telecare for Retirement Homes
As a collaborative partner, Appello are specialists in delivering Technology Enabled Care (TEC) and telecare for retirement housing and Right to Manage properties (RTM) across the UK.
From the supply and installation of digital equipment to call monitoring services our customer includes McCarthy Stone, FirstPort, Churchill Retirement and many others. From delivering the most reliable emergency call equipment to enhancing wellbeing through technology, we are experienced in delivering innovation and services that deliver a life enhancing home, in line with your other retirement home facilities.
Effective telecare for retirement housing providers can be instrumental in enabling your customers to live safe, secure and independent lives that enhance their wellbeing. Furthermore, through better reporting and data insight telecare services can enable improvements in operations which deliver greater capacity for your staff to focus their time on delivering great service to customers.
Digital telecare
The process of planning and moving to digital telecare is likely to take some time to complete. Given that customers’ digital telephone line migrations have already commenced, the switchover has the potential to impact telecare for housing associations before a fully digital telecare service is put in place.
The digital switchover telecare checklist produced by the local government association provides guidance on the processes that need to be considered to ensure a seamless transition to digital telecare for housing providers.
As highlighted in our blog looking at how ready we are for the digital switch, the shift to digital telecare is imperative and all stakeholders are now recommending immediate action.
The government’s policy paper, ‘Telecare stakeholder action plan: preparations for the analogue to digital switchover’, was published at the end of 2022. While perhaps somewhat behind the curve (particularly given Scottish Local Government published its National Briefing Document several years ago), it’s good to see digital telecare now firmly on the agenda throughout the UK.
The plan highlights the time-critical nature of moving to digital telecare, providing an overview of the risks and opportunities of the digital switchover.
It also sets out an action plan focused on the individuals who rely on telecare services. Key areas include encouraging co-ordination between telecare stakeholders, such as manufacturers and service providers, as well as an emphasis on good communication and best practice.
Alongside this, independent testing by TSA, the TEC industry body, has confirmed the dangers of operating analogue telecare devices across the digital network. Initial test results showed “a significant proportion (of analogue devices) that either function intermittently – or not at all”.
The data tallies with previous compatibility concerns and demonstrates the importance of a well-planned digital strategy to ensure telecare services are fit for purpose.
Telecare for Right to Manager properties
Since the introduction of the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act in 2002, Appello have supported many Right to Manage companies (RTM) with the management of telecare services within their retirement development.
From providing support with the move to digital equipment, to the delivery of 24/7 monitoring services you can benefit from our extensive experience and guidance.
We guide RTMs through the process of selecting and installing new systems, highlighting appropriate solutions for differing requirements of your property and residents, and helping manage the project through to completion.
Telecare services for retirement providers
Housing Schemes
Appello offers a range of hardwired digital telecare and warden call equipment for housing association and ALMO properties. These solutions are designed for the digital telecoms network, and provide secure, reliable alarm connectivity across the network, whilst options include enhancing wellbeing through the introduction of video communication and other capabilities.
Community
We work with many housing providers and partners to provide emergency alarm equipment and telecare peripherals such as fall detectors, smoke alarms, flood detectors and many more to individuals in their own homes. Our digital dispersed alarm, SmartLife provides retirement providers with opportunities to reduce costs and benefit from the multiple means of connectivity.
Careline
The Appello Careline service has been supporting housing associations for over 30 years with responding to calls in a time of need. From a medical emergency raised via a telecare alarm, or the reporting of a property issue during Out of Hours, our team of experienced operators are here to provide an extension of your service, meeting the expectations of your customers.