York gets first independent living telecare show flat



Issued by City of York Council

Next Tuesday, January 22, City of York Council is opening York’s first Independent Living Telecare show flat, giving older people the chance to try out the latest technology that could help them to continue to live safely and independently in their own homes.

The show flat, which is located at Alex Lyon House sheltered housing scheme in Tang Hall, has been created as a result of the council’s award-winning innovation project GeniUS!

Last year, the online GeniUS! initiative asked for people to come forward with ideas on how the city can help its older and vulnerable residents live in their own homes for longer with more confidence and security.

One of those suggestions was for somewhere that older people and their carers could visit to try out the latest approved telecare technology on the market in a real life home environment with expert advice on hand so they can see what will work best for them and their needs.

Councillor Tracey Simpson-Laing, Cabient member for Health, Housing and Adult Social Services said: “The new flat is a great innovation and a wonderful way to help older or more vulnerable people and their carers test out the best solutions for them to carry on living in their own homes with confidence and security.

“There are so many different telecare products on the market and being able to see how the best of these work in a real home situation and have all their relative benefits explained simply and clearly by welfare professionals will enable customers to make the right decisions for their personal situation and help give them and their carers peace of mind. Anyone can make an appointment, so there’s no waiting for referrals by their GP or care workers or agencies.”

The show flat at Alex Lyon House includes a range of very simple to use IT equipment and intelligent Telecare sensors and equipment.

Telecare helps to manage risk and support independence by means of unobtrusive wireless sensors placed around the home which detect possible problems such as smoke, gas, flood, extremes of temperature, movement or lack of movement or a person falling.

The sensors automatically raise a local, audible alarm, as well as alerting a carer, key holder or a monitoring centre. Devices on show include panic buttons, floor, bed and chair occupancy sensors, personal alarm pendants, watches and medication dispensers which alert carers to missed doses.

In addition to the Telecare equipment, the council has worked alongside technology and network specialist Ray Hallam to install enhanced remote monitoring capability that further helps individualise services to particular needs. This includes a touchscreen controller that the customer and carer can use to operate all devices including lights, sensors and alarms.

The show flat will be open for viewings by appointment from the 22 January until the end of March at the following times:

Tuesdays – between 10am-12pm
Wednesdays – between 1pm-3pm

Customers will be shown around by a member of the council’s Warden Call Telecare Team who will be able to fully demonstrate each item of equipment and explain the associated benefits. To arrange a viewing please customers simply need to call the council on 01904 551550 to arrange an appointment time.

The show flat at Alex Lyon House is being opened as a pilot for three months at the end of which a full review will be conducted to assess the benefits and decide where and how the scheme should be offered in the future.

City of York Council would like to thank the following businesses for donating carpets and furniture to furnish the flat:

• The Community Furniture Store – The Raylor Centre, James Street, York, YO10 3DW
• Calverts Carpets and Flooring – 15 The Stonebow, York, YO1 7NY
• Rodgers of York – Monks Cross, York, YO32 9JR

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