Ethos Public Relations Manchester

Telecare could defuse ‘care timebomb’

by Ethos public relations

The debate about how Britain will care for its growing elderly population was racked up a gear again this week as an Alzheimer's Society survey said more people would end up in care homes and hospital than was necessary. However, the Virtual College Ltd a national on line trainingprovider said the wider adoption of telecare could help defuse the ‘care timebomb.’

“Telecare is the delivery of health care related services and information via telecommunications tools,” said Chloe Weatherhead from the Virtual College, which in response to increased enquiries has now developed an online training course on the subject.

“Many people working in housing, care and support may not be aware of how widely telecare can be used,” adds Chloe. “And it’s not just a tool for the elderly - it can be used to assist anyone with a healthcare issue.”

Telecare supports independent living by providing health care services from a distance. The demographic predictions for the population mean there is an increasing need to lay the foundations for the rapid and widespread adoption of these solutions across the UK.

A report from the Centre for Social Justice on issues impacting on older people said ‘the provision of assistive equipment can be hugely beneficial on maintaining or improving an older person’s quality of life. Yet, as an Audit Commission report recently revealed, low importance is attached to such equipment. This is in spite of mass research finding it provides good outcomes and reduced costs.'

Care and support organisations recognise that in the current financial climate their budgets are going to do badly and many providers are concerned that care for the elderly in particular is going to get much worse.

“Health service staff, social service staff, and those working in social and private housing should be exploring the telehealth and telecare options now available,” said Chloe. “It’s important that these new technologies are adopted sooner rather than later to halt the decline in care standards.”

For more information about e-learning and telehealth and telecare call 01943 885085 or e-mail info@housingea.co.uk.

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Posted at 27^th January 2011