Telecare will offer ‘peace of mind’

July 21, 2005 in Adults, Workforce

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.