Assistive Technology and Community Alarms
Scope of this chapter
This chapter will support practitioners to make effective use of Assistive Technology and Community Alarms to prevent, reduce and delay the need for care and support.
It should be read alongside the Assistive Technology Policy and Procedure, which provides step-by-step instructions for arranging assistive technology and detailed pathways. This can be found in the Local Resources area.
Assistive technology refers to any gadget that is used to increase, maintain or improve a person's independence or reduce the risk to their wellbeing.
Used effectively, assistive technology can:
- Promote independence;
- Improve confidence;
- Help manage risks around the home and in the community;
- Support a person to remain living at home;
- Help with memory and recall;
- Support a person to carry out key tasks, such as making a cup of tea; and
- Provide reassurance to carers and family members.
Community Alarms is the term used to describe the range of equipment that can alert a call centre when, for example:
- A person falls; or
- A person leaves their home unexpectedly; or
- A person needs assistance.
Examples of Community Alarms equipment include:
- A personal alarm (pendant alarm);
- A falls alarm;
- A door sensor.
Both assistive technology and a community alarm can be provided:
- As part of a Reablement service; or
- To support hospital discharges; or
- Alongside services to meet on ongoing care and support needs; or
- Independent from all of the above.
They are available to people who live in:
- Their own home;
- Rented accommodation (including Local Authority accommodation);
- Supported living;
- Extra Care;
- Shared lives placements.
If a person lives in residential or nursing care any assistive technology or community alarm is normally the responsibility of the provider to assess and arrange.
When providing information and advice see: Assistive Technology.
Assistive technology and community alarm equipment and services are free for the first six weeks. After this time there is an ongoing weekly service charge. This charge is based on the level of service the person receives. Charging is in line with Wigan Council’s Charging Policy (this is currently being updated).
Service charges are:
- Level 1A - Basic Community Alarm with own respondents £3.93 p/wk.
- Level 1B - Basic Community Alarm & additional devices with own respondents £3.93 p/wk.
- Level 3A - Basic Community Alarm with Mobile Response £5.93 p/wk.
- Level 3B - Basic Community Alarm & additional devices with Mobile Response £5.93 p/wk.
Please note the charging for People Powered Technology (PPT) equipment will also fall within the remit of the above charges. However, where there are ongoing monthly subscription charges e.g., tracking systems, embrace epilepsy bracelet, these will be charged under the Level 3 group.
If the person has an existing (or developing) Care and Support Plan any assistive technology or community alarm that is provided to meet on-going needs must be recorded in the plan.
Assistive technology and community alarms should not be provided until an appropriate and proportionate assessment of need has been carried out.
Any social care practitioner can refer for assistive technology and as part of a needs assessment.
If advice or guidance is required at any point during the assessment the specialist People Powered Technology Team can provide support. People who require more technical solutions (Internet Of Things) can be referred to the People Powered Technology Team. The request can be sent via Mosaic.
The internal referral process for assistive technology is in documents via Mosaic.
The referral form should be completed and sent to wigan.assistive@careium.com. The email should always be encrypted.
(Please note we are currently in the process of retendering this service).
Careium (service provider) monitors the effectiveness of any assistive technology/community alarms. They will escalate any concerns to the Initial Assessment Team for allocation to a locality team. Any issues should be recorded in case notes on Mosaic. The People Powered Technology Team should be informed of concerns or queries. At such time when monitoring by an adult social care team is no longer required it may cease and Careium must be informed.
If the person also has a Care and Support Plan, the practitioner carrying out the statutory review of that plan should establish the outcome of any assistive technology review that has taken place. If the review has not yet taken place efforts should be made to carry out a joint review to avoid duplication for the person. Any changes to the assistive technology made following a review should be reflected in the Care and Support Plan.
Outside of scheduled reviewed advice or guidance can be sought from the People Powered Technology Team as required if it appears equipment is:
- Not being used appropriately; or
- Not effective in managing risk.
To report a repair for a piece of equipment or community alarm, a secure email should be sent to wigan.assistive@careium.com.
If assistive technology/a community alarm is no longer required the practitioner should notify Careium by secure e-mail using wigan.assistive@careium.com so they can arrange collection of the equipment.
Once equipment has been removed the practitioner should end any Mosaic workflow.
Note: If a review has determined that assistive technology or a community alarm is no longer required these arrangements should only be made when any alternative provision to meet needs is in place.
Last Updated: April 19, 2023
v32
