Showcase for hi-tech telecare

Mar 27 2008 By The Journal

THE latest communications tech- nology aimed at helping vulnerable people feel safer at home will be on show in the region next week.

A conference entitled A Bright Future for Telecare will be held in Newcastle to showcase various security devices including sensors which can detect problems and alert a nearby response centre.

The event, in Newcastle’s Centre for Life next Wednesday, has been organised by Your Homes Newcastle (YHN) and Newcastle City Council.

Neil Scott, director of tenancy services at YHN, said: "We have attracted a number of renowned experts in the telecare field to speak at the conference.

"I’m sure it will be an informative event that will help shape the future of this service and be the springboard to launch our ambitious plans to make the service available to everyone in the city who needs it."

Telecare services that provide support for vulnerable people have operated for many years. However, the technology has progressed considerably recently.

Sensors can now be worn on the hip to detect if a person has fallen over and then send an alert to a 24-hour response centre; the staff in the centre then contact the appropriate service.

For more information on the conference, call (0191) 278-8699 or email events@yhn.org.uk.