The pressure of caring for someone else can be very demanding, physically and mentally. Telecare offers practical support help disabled people live more independently and eases the burden of looking after someone - it gives carers vital independence.
Sarah, like 50% of people with learning disabilities, also has epilepsy. Sarah’s mother, Joan, used to sleep in the same room as her daughter due to the risk of tonic clonic seizures, which could sometimes occur up to five times in one night. Joan couldn’t get a good night’s sleep due to the constant worry of what would happen if she didn’t wake up. Joan had an epilepsy sensor fitted in Sarah’s bed, allowing her to return to her own room for the first time in 15 years, reassured that she would be alerted if Sarah needed her help.
“My son who has a learning disability is 13 and I am considering giving him a mobile phone so that he can contact us when required – this will increase his independence and self-esteem for example by using public transport on his own. My father in law had a pendant alarm, this gave reassurance that if he fell, help could be at hand and enabled my wife and I to go out to work and carry on a normal social life in the village.”
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