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A guide to using technology that can help vulnerable people live independently has been launched by care services minister Liam Byrne.

The guidance provides practical ideas for social services departments on how to use the £80m in telecare funding announced last year.

The government hopes telecare will help at least 160,000 people live independently for longer. The funding will be available for two years from April 2006.

Byrne said telecare was not meant to replace human contact but to enhance social activity and dignity.


He said: "Telecare is about using new technology to give people the peace of mind they need to live in their own home for as long as possible knowing that help is at hand if anything goes wrong."

He revealed the government would announce a £60m pilot project later in the year to explore the use of technology to prevent household accidents.

• The guidance is available from 08701 555455 or www.dh.gov.uk/PublicationsAndStatistics/Publications