Gateshead Council is offering everyone aged 80 or over a free 12-month trial of its Telecare service.
Telecare is a system that allows people to live independently in their own home by providing them with a direct line to people who can assist them 24 hours a day.
The service offers people the reassurance of a 24 hour response whenever you feel unsafe or unwell, with mobile response support if required, simply at the touch of a button.
The free trial offer includes a special alarm unit that connects to Gateshead Council’s 24-hour response centre simply by pressing a button on an additional waterproof ‘pendant’ alarm button which can be worn around your wrist or neck and which can be used to summon help from anywhere within the home.
After receiving the free 12 month trial, people will be able to continue using the Telecare service for a small weekly charge, unless they were receiving housing benefit in which case they may be able to continue receiving the service for free.
Councillor Michael McNestry, Cabinet member for Adult Social Care, says: “This is a really valuable service which is already giving hundreds of older people in Gateshead the confidence to live at home independently.
“Knowing that help can be summoned at any time of the day or night means that older people don’t have to feel isolated and vulnerable, and that can also give family members a great deal of reassurance, too.”
“Offering a 12 month free trial means that many more older people can take advantage of this service and I hope this is something which they take up.”
The free trial is available to anyone aged 80 or over who do not currently use a telecare or community alarm system, or who live in sheltered accommodation or another care based or supported accommodation, and is subject to eligibility.
For further information, people are asked to contact Gateshead Council on (0191) 433 2648