What Is Telecare?
Telecare is a broad term for technology-based services that help people live independently and safely at home. It uses sensors, alarms, and monitoring systems to detect risks such as falls, fires, gas leaks, and wandering, and to alert carers or a monitoring centre when something goes wrong.
Telecare is widely available across the UK through local councils, housing associations, and private providers. It is one of the main ways that older and disabled people receive support to stay in their own homes rather than moving into residential care.
How Telecare Works
A typical telecare setup consists of three elements:
- Sensors and devices placed around the home or worn by the person (such as a pendant alarm, motion sensor, or door sensor)
- A base unit or hub that connects the sensors to the outside world, usually via a phone line or mobile network
- A monitoring service that receives alerts and responds, either a professional 24/7 call centre or nominated family members and friends
When a sensor detects a problem, it sends a signal to the base unit, which relays the alert to the monitoring centre. An operator then contacts the person, assesses the situation, and arranges the appropriate response.
Types of Telecare Equipment
Personal Alarms
Pendant or wrist-worn alarms that the person presses to call for help. These are the foundation of most telecare packages and are covered in detail in our personal alarms guide.
Fall Detectors
Wearable devices that automatically detect falls and trigger an alert without the person needing to press a button.
Smoke and Heat Detectors
Telecare-linked smoke and heat detectors alert the monitoring centre (not just sound a local alarm) if smoke or high temperatures are detected. This is particularly important for people who might not hear or respond to a standard smoke alarm.
Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Connected CO detectors that alert the monitoring centre to dangerous gas levels.
Flood Detectors
Sensors placed near baths, sinks, or washing machines that detect water overflow and raise an alert before serious damage occurs.
Door and Window Sensors
Magnetic sensors that detect when a door or window is opened. These can alert carers if a person with dementia opens the front door during the night, for example.
Bed and Chair Occupancy Sensors
Pressure sensors placed under a mattress or chair cushion that detect when the person gets up. If they do not return within a set time, an alert is sent. These are useful for monitoring nighttime activity and detecting falls out of bed.
Motion Sensors
Passive infrared sensors placed in rooms that detect movement (or lack of movement). If no activity is detected for an unusual length of time, an alert is raised. This type of monitoring is sometimes called “activity monitoring” or “just checking” and can identify changes in daily routines that might indicate declining health.
Epilepsy Sensors
Specialised sensors placed under the mattress that detect the repetitive movements associated with a seizure and alert carers immediately.
Medication Dispensers
Automated pill dispensers that release the correct medication at the right time and raise an alert if the person does not take their dose.
Council Telecare Services
Most local councils in the UK offer a telecare service, sometimes called a community alarm or assistive technology service. These services are typically available to:
- People aged 65 and over
- Younger people with disabilities or long-term health conditions
- People at risk of falls, hospital admission, or needing residential care
Council telecare services usually include the equipment, installation, and 24/7 monitoring. Costs vary by council but are typically between £3 and £10 per week. Some councils provide the service free to those receiving certain benefits or after a social care assessment.
To access your council’s telecare service, contact their adult social care team or ask your GP for a referral.
Private Telecare Providers
If you prefer to arrange telecare privately, or if your council service does not offer the specific equipment you need, there are many private providers. Private services often offer more advanced equipment and faster installation, but typically cost more (£20 to £50 per month depending on the package).
The Digital Switchover
The UK’s traditional analogue telephone network is being switched off and replaced with digital (VoIP) services. This affects many older telecare systems that rely on analogue phone lines to transmit alerts.
If you currently have a telecare system, check with your provider that your equipment is compatible with digital phone lines. Many providers are proactively upgrading their customers’ equipment, but it is worth confirming. New installations should use equipment that works over digital lines or mobile networks.
Is Telecare Right for You?
Telecare is worth considering if you or a family member:
- Lives alone and worries about what would happen in an emergency
- Has had falls or near-misses
- Has a condition such as dementia, epilepsy, or heart disease that requires monitoring
- Wants to stay living at home rather than moving into supported accommodation
- Would benefit from the reassurance that help is always available
Sources & Useful Resources
Official Resources
- GOV.UK: Find a Telecare Provider – find services through your local authority
- NHS: Personal Alarms and Monitoring Systems
Charity & Advisory Resources
- Age UK: Telecare and Telehealth Guide – full overview of telecare services
- Independent Age: Technology for Home Safety
Product Comparisons
- Which? Guide to Telecare Services – independent provider comparisons