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Using technology to promote people’s
independence, safety and wellbeing
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Telecare MECS
Stirling has had a MECS community alarm service since the
70’s. Over the last few years we have been working closely
with colleagues in Health, Housing Services and other
partner agencies to expand the range of technology and
services which we can provide both in and out of the home.
MECS lets vulnerable people use technology to summon
help and assistance at the touch of a button. We continue to
provide our community alarm service, which now sits alongside
an extensive range of other technology to help promote
independence, safety and peace of mind. This is known as
telecare.
What is telecare?
Telecare describes a range of equipment and services that
can give 24/7 monitoring support in your home and arrange
a response to help you if there is an emergency. Equipment,
sensors and detectors matched to your individual needs help
you stay safe and independent in your home and community.
They can also offer relatives and carers peace of mind and
reassurance.
How can telecare help me?
Anyone with a social or health care need can be assessed for
telecare, including children, older people, and people with a
learning disability, mental or physical health problems. Telecare
can also help carers.
The equipment you receive is based upon the outcome of a
community care assessment and can sense risks such as carbon
monoxide, gas, water and smoke. It can also remind you to take
your medication or assist you to get help if you fall.
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How do I get telecare?
You will need to have an assessment. This will be carried out by a
professional, for example a doctor, nurse, occupational therapist or
social worker.
To request an assessment for yourself or someone you know,
please phone Social Services on 01786 471177.
How does telecare work?
The basic equipment is a community alarm base
unit installed in your home. It’s about the size of a
telephone. You also wear a small personal trigger
button which is like a pendant round your neck or on
your wrist like a watch, or it can be clipped to your
clothing. If you fall or need assistance you simply
press the button.
Sensors and detectors can also be installed. The equipment
wirelessly monitors your safety and security and automatically
triggers an alert to your community alarm if a dangerous situation
arises so that help and assistance can be provided.
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Telecare MECS
Telecare provided by Stirling Council Social Services
How is the equipment set up in my home?
Telecare alarm unit and pendant
The service operates through a telephone landline in your home,
which must accept both incoming and outgoing calls. An electric
socket near the phone line is also needed.
Simply pressed once to raise the alarm anywhere in the
house, without having to reach for a telephone.
What happens if I need assistance?
If the detectors sense there is a dangerous situation the community
alarm will automatically dial Stirling Council’s Contact Centre, which
is open 24/7, or you can summon help at any time by pressing your
personal button. A 24/7 Adviser will talk to you through the speaker
in your community alarm. The adviser will be able to arrange the
appropriate assistance for you. For example, they can contact your
nominated key holders, your GP or NHS24, the Fire Service, Police
or other nominated response services.
Detectors for smoke, gas, carbon
monoxide, water and temperature
This equipment send alerts automatically when smoke,
gas, carbon monoxide, water or extreme changes in
temperatures are detected so help can be provided.
Fall detector
If you have a fall this equipment will automatically raise the
alarm so help can be sent to you.
How much does telecare cost?
Property exit sensor
Depending on your circumstances there is a small weekly charge
for using telecare equipment. You can get further information
about Stirling Council’s Social Services Charging Policy on
01786 471177.
This equipment is helpful for people with dementia and their
carers. It sends an automatic alert that a person has left their
home and not returned within a set time.
If your equipment sends a call to our Contact Centre it will be
charged at the cost of a local telephone call.
Bed or chair sensor
This equipment send alerts automatically as an ‘early
warning’ that a person has left their bed or chair and not
returned within a set time. This could indicate that the
person has had a fall.
Medication Reminder
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Equipment that can prompt you to remember to take your
medication.
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Telecare MECS
Technology provided by NHS Forth Valley
Lifestyle monitoring equipment
This equipment is used for a short time, usually around 4 – 6
weeks, to help us understand your needs and plan how we can
offer you the best support. It monitors your movement in your home
- without intruding or undermining your independence.
This equipment offers support for people with long term health
conditions, more complex disabilities and cognitive problems.
Telehealth monitoring
The system uses wireless movement sensors and the mobile phone
network. There are no video cameras. It’s easy to install; all that’s
needed is a single power socket.
This equipment provided in your home can help you self-manage
a long term health condition. It monitors vital signs, such as blood
pressure, pulse, ECG, oxygen levels, respiratory function, weight,
blood sugars and blood clotting. Your clinician can log on to a
secure website to see your results.
Emergency Location
Environmental control equipment
This device helps people who may go out and have difficulty finding
their way back home again.
Designed for people with a complex physical disability, for example
Multiple Sclerosis, this equipment is a very sophisticated remote
controller to enable you to control a door intercom or other door
entry systems, lights and heating and hands-free telephone, as well
as your home entertainment, curtains, blinds, beds and chairs.
We provide a mini phone with built in GPS which can be pre-set
with agreed ‘safe areas’ or ‘unsafe areas’. If you feel unsafe and
press the panic button or leave a safe area or enter an unsafe area,
your identified responders will be alerted. They can then view a
secure web site which shows your location and speed of travel.
They can make sure you are in a safe place, or come to where you
are and help you get home.
PDA (Personal Digital Assistant)
This equipment is for people with a cognitive problem, for example
following a head injury. The PDA has specialised software which
can help you with scheduling appointments and sequencing tasks,
provide reminders and prompts and help support travel. It gives
both visual and audio feedback
For more information or to make a referral for this type of
technology please contact:
ReACH, NHS Forth Valley on 01324 673733
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Unhappy with our service?
If you are unhappy with anything about our service please let us
know. Phone 0845 277 7000 or 01786 471177.
Get in touch
If you or your family would like more information about telecare
please contact us on 0845 277 7000 or 01786 471177 or
e-mail: info@stirling.gov.uk
web: www.stirling.gov.uk
text: 0771 799 0001 phone: 0845 277 7000
Formats
Copies of our leaflets are available by request in a
range of other languages, large print and on audio
tape. To request articles in any of these formats
please email or call 0845 277 7000.