Remote monitoring and alerts
When you can’t be with the person you care for, it can be stressful worrying whether they are ok. Remote monitoring technology can reassure you that they are safe in their own home. If something does go wrong, systems can send alerts to carers or to 24-hour monitoring and response centres. 60% of carers surveyed said telecare/telehealth gave them peace of mind.
These devices may be singular units or a system that incorporates two or more functions.
Passive infra-red (PIR) detectors
What are they?
These devices are mounted to the wall of the home and monitor activity. They can tell you whether someone is up and active, what room they are in and if someone else has entered the property.
Who are they for?
For carers who work outside the home or those who don’t live with the person they are caring for. It can be used to monitor people who live independently.
Where to get them?
- Specialist health and care product providers (incl. online retailers/marketplaces)
- Other online retailers/marketplaces
- Independent product providers
- Home or electrical stores
- Energy providers
- Security product providers.
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Fall detectors
What are they?
A sensor that the person wears and notifies you with an alert if the person has taken a fall. You or a 24-hour monitoring and response centre could be notified if someone has fallen as soon as it happens.
Who are they for?
These work for people who are living independently or if you spend periods of time away from them. They notify you with an alert as soon as the fall takes place, so that they can get help immediately.
Where to get them?
- Specialist health and care product providers (incl. online retailers/marketplaces)
- Other online retailers/marketplaces
- Independent product providers.
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Property exit sensors and GPS trackers
What are they?
Property exit sensors are mounted to doors and alert you if someone passes the sensor and has left the property. GPS trackers are a guidance device that the person wears all the time enabling you to track their movements on an app.
Who are they for?
People who may be confused or have memory problems, which may cause them to wander from their home and get lost. It can give carers reassurance to know they can find their loved one when they go missing.
Where to get them?
- Specialist health and care product providers (incl. online retailers/marketplaces)
- Other online retailers/marketplaces
- Independent product providers
- Home or electrical stores
- Security product providers.
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Carbon monoxide, natural gas, smoke and flood detectors
What are they?
These devices can alert a carer or neighbour if there is a fire, gas leak or flood in the home of a vulnerable person.
Who are they for?
People who may not otherwise be able to react to an emergency alarm and are living independently or spending long periods of time alone in the home.
Where to get them?
- Specialist health and care product providers (incl. online retailers/marketplaces)
- Other online retailers/marketplaces
- Independent product providers
- Home or electrical stores
- Energy providers.
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Panic buttons/bogus caller alarm
What are they?
Alarm buttons placed near the front door or beside the bed to be used in the event of a break-in or if someone threatening approaches the front door.
Who are they for?
People who spend long periods alone in the home or live independently. They can give carers and those being cared for reassurance that help is only the press of a button away.
Where to get them?
- Specialist health and care product providers (incl. online retailers/marketplaces)
- Other online retailers/marketplaces
- Independent product providers
- Home or electrical stores
- Security product providers.
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Activity of daily (ADL) monitoring
What are they?
These usually use passive infra-red detectors (PIRs), plus smart plugs that can monitor the use of household appliances and send an alert when for example the kettle has not been used at the usual time.
Who are they for?
For carers spending periods of time away from the person they are caring for. It can give reassurance to be notified of someone’s activities and if they are not following their usual routine you can check they are OK.
Where to get them?
- Specialist health and care product providers (incl. online retailers/marketplaces)
- Other online retailers/marketplaces
- Independent product providers
- Home or electrical stores
- Energy providers
- Security product providers.
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Pressure, proximity and other sensors
What are they?
Pressure and proximity sensors indicate bed/chair occupancy, presence (floor/carpet sensors), incidence of incontinence (enuresis) or medical emergency (epilepsy).
Who are they for?
People vulnerable to wandering, people for whom incontinence is an issue or people at risk of medical emergencies.
Where to get them?
- Specialist health and care product providers (incl. online retailers/marketplaces)
- Other online retailers/marketplaces
- Independent product providers
- Home or electrical stores.
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Personal alarm, pendant or pull cord
What are they?
Using a pendant button, broach, watch or mobile phone app the user can press for help if they need assistance. These can contact a response centre or a carer directly.
Who are they for?
People who spend long periods in the home or live independently. Or for people who may have trouble getting around or be likely to fall and need assistance or experience a health emergency.
Where to get them?
- Specialist health and care product providers (incl. online retailers/marketplaces)
- Other online retailers/marketplaces
- Independent product providers.
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Door and window sensors
What are they?
Motion sensors fixed to doors and windows can send an alert if someone enters/exits doors and/or windows. They can be attached to cupboards, a fridge door or interior doors to monitor daily use and send an alert when motion is not detected during a certain time period or throughout the day.
Who are they for?
People who spend periods of time alone or live independently, to detect if someone has broken into the property or to keep track if the person is likely to wander and get lost or to ensure that someone has returned home safely.
Where to get them?
- Specialist health and care product providers (incl. online retailers/marketplaces)
- Other online retailers/marketplaces
- Independent product providers
- Home or electrical stores
- Energy providers
- Security product providers
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Cameras
What are they?
Cameras around the home to help you keep an eye on the person you care for. They can be used in systems alongside motion sensors.
Who are they for?
People who spend periods of time alone in the home or those with restricted mobility who may need assistance even if you are in the house.
Where to get them?
- Specialist health and care product providers (incl. online retailers/marketplaces)
- Other online retailers/marketplaces
- Independent product providers
- Home or electrical stores
- Security product providers
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