More than 960 installations have been completed since 1 April 2011, almost doubling the number carried out in the previous year. Of these installations, more than 400 have been self-referrals from Hillingdon residents as a result of the council's efforts to raise awareness of the telecare service at user level.

With the population of those over 85 estimated to increase by 11 per cent by 2015, the priority for Hillingdon Council is to work in partnership with NHS Hillingdon to develop a new model of care by combining telehealthcare services in the borough, to help maximise independent living in the community. The aim is to create a fundamental shift in service provision away from institutionalised care, towards home-based support, risk prevention and early intervention.

Linda Sanders, Corporate Director for Social Care, Health & Housing said: "Technology like TeleCareLine can play a vital role in helping care for an ageing population and that's why in Hillingdon we are offering it to those aged over 85 for free. By enabling residents to stay in their own homes we can reduce the demand for residential or nursing care, which can in turn result in significant savings for the council."

Similar telecare packages are also available for all residents of the borough, and are free for the first six weeks as part of a re-ablement service and for those individuals who meet FACs(1) criteria subject to a financial assessment.

Kevin Alderson, Health and Social Care Policy Director at Tunstall said: "Hillingdon Council's ethos of risk prevention and early intervention directly reflects the national drive for more preventative, community-based care to meet the growing demands of an ageing population. Providing free telecare to people over 85 makes a tremendous difference in maintaining their independence and reducing risks and Tunstall are delighted to be part of it."

Hillingdon's TeleCareLine service offers a range of telecare sensors to enable residents to live safely, securely and most importantly, independently. The service provides varying levels of support, ranging from the standard service package to the highest level of support, with full access to a range of telecare sensors to address residents' individual needs. Each eligible resident is provided with a Lifeline Connect+ personal alarm, a MyAmie+ pendant, bogus call alarm and a smoke detector as standard, with additional sensors provided based on the residents' individual needs.

Grace Marks, a Hillingdon resident currently using the TeleCareLine service said: "This system has given me and my family real peace of mind. I've always been an independent person and through Hillingdon TeleCareLine, I can stay living at home with the reassurance that, if something happened, help wouldn't be far away."

Cabinet Member for Social Care, Health and Housing, Councillor Philip Corthorne, added: "Like most people, our older residents and those with disabilities have told us they want to be, and remain, independent. Hillingdon's TeleCareLine service allows them to do just that, safe in the knowledge that assistance is on hand should they need it."

Hillingdon works to support its older population through social care, housing and support services. The council's approach to supporting more people in the community includes the development of a range of supported housing schemes to provide a broader continuum of accommodation options including extra care housing. The council also hopes to extend its telecare provision to a further 3,000 people over the next four years.

As well as those aged over 85, anyone who is a Hillingdon resident can apply to use the TeleCareLine service.

Related news articles:

• Tunstall's Profile

About Tunstall
Tunstall Healthcare Group is the market leading provider of telehealthcare solutions, with over 2.5 million users globally. Tunstall's solutions support older people and those with long-term needs, helping them to live independently by effectively managing their health and well-being. Its solutions have been proven effective in the world's largest telehealthcare trial. Tunstall provides technology, expertise and advice to millions of people enabling them to lead independent more fulfilling lives.

1. FACs Fair Access to Care