Disability equipment
What is assistive technology?
The term assistive technology refers device or system that allows an individual to live independently in their home.
- Who can beneift from assistive technolgy?
- What are the benefits?
Carephone home safety service
A Carephone is a special unit that plugs into your telephone line and can dial for help when you need it.
It calls the Carephone Home Safety Service and a trained member of our team will answer the call 24 hours a day, every day.
They will talk to you via your Carephone and if you need help they will take the or the emergency services.
How much does it cost?
The equipment that we supply is provided free of charge and there is no installation or maintenance fee. However depending upon your financial circumstances you may have to pay a monitoring fee.
A standard carephone package includes smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector. The monitoring fee for this package is £4.00 per week. The monitoring fee for a standard carephone package which has been enhanced by one or more pieces of additional equipment is £4.20 per week
Further information
As well as your pendant there are many different types of sensors which can connect to your Carephone. They each perform different "jobs" and help people in different ways. These sensors are not provided to everyone, they are only provided to people who need that particular type of sensor.
Sensors that connect to a Carephone
Alert a local carer
Providing reassurance for carers, this device ensures that if the person's sensors raise an alert the carer will be alerted immediately. This device makes the sensors alert a local carer first, and if they do not respond then the alert goes to the Carephone Home Safety Service. Or it can only alert a carer and not alert the Carephone Home Safety Service.
Bed occupancy sensor
Useful for people who fall out of bed or who leave their bed during the night and put their safety at risk
Carbon monoxide detector
Automatically calls their carer
Carephone reminder messages
A short reminder message can be recorded onto the Carephone. The message can be recorded by anyone, so it could be a family member, friend, or other voice that the person knows and is comfortable with.
It can be set to go off at any time of the day or night, up to 6 times per day. Each message can be different so that different messages can be played at different times of the day.
Chair occupancy sensors
Useful for people who may fall or otherwise put themselves at risk when they get out of their chair.
Epilepsy sensor
Suitable for certain types of epilepsy, this device detects when the person has an epileptic seizure and so allows a carer to take action urgently.
Flood detector
If a person is at risk of flooding their property, for example if they leave taps running, this will alert when it detects water on the floor. Please also see the video and information for the magiplug.
Fall detector
The fall detector is a small piece of equipment that can be carried by a person. If that person has a fall it will automatically raise an alert to the Carephone Home Safety Service.
Gas detector
A gas detector alerts the Carephone Home Safety service when there is gas leaking into a property, for example if a hob or fire is on but not lit.
Intruder alarm
An intruder alarm which has an easy to use push button pendant to turn the alarm on and off. It connects to the Carephone Home Safety Service when it alerts, so that Carephone Officers can take appropriate action
Movement sensor
Useful for people who may fall or otherwise put themselves at risk. If it can see movement it knows the person is safe. If it can't see movement it raises an alert.
Property exit sensor
The Property Exit Sensor helps to monitor the safety of people who may leave their homes when it isn't safe or appropriate for them to do so. It recognises when someone has left their home at an inappropriate time and calls for help.
Smoke detector
Detects smoke and automatically calls the Carephone Home Safety Service
Temperature extremes sensor
The sensor monitors the temperature of the room. It alerts the Carephone Home Safety Service to potential fires by recognising when the temperature of a room either rises quickly or is very hot. Unlike smoke detectors it can be put into a kitchen
Other sensors and equipment available
GPS location devices
This is a GPS watch. It has a similar technology to Sat Navs. It is ideal for people who sometimes leave their home on their own or get lost easily due to memory problems.
Jar openers
Use the non-slip rubber grip to help open jars.
Magiplug
Change the exiting sink or bath plug with one of these and if taps are left running the plug will automatically open and stop a flood.
Medication dispenser
A medication dispenser is a box that is set to automatically dispense tablets at the right time and in the right quantity. At the pre-programmed times, the dispenser rotates, an alarm signal is heard, and the correct dosage comes into view through an opening in the lid. The alarm will keep ringing until it senses that someone has taken the medication out of it.
Tap turner
Tap turners fit over existing taps to make them easier to turn on and off.
The long handle gives extra leverage to help people who have difficulty gripping conventional taps.
The tap turners are large and easier to see then conventional taps. On some models the red lever has a tactile top so that the hot and cold taps can be identified by touch.
Contact Kirklees Council - Gateway to care
- Gateway to care
- 30 Market Street, Huddersfield, HD1 2HG
- 01484 414933
- Text "Gateway" and your question to 07781482931
- Gateway to care enquiry form