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How digital telecare is creating an independent, flexible future for its users
The reality is that by 2025, millions of the analogue telecare devices that older people rely upon will become obsolete. In the meantime, those same devices will become harder and more expensive to maintain. And call failures will continue to be a problem when analogue technology is used on digital networks. So, as we approach the switch over deadline, there is a risk that vulnerable older people will get left behind.
But, perhaps, we're looking at the situation from the wrong angle. A broader range of discreetly designed, "always-online" mobile technology will offer service users the freedom and independence to more enjoy active lives, while still providing peace of mind by having an emergency device at their fingertips. And the switch also opens the door to new solutions for preventive, proactive and predicative services.
The UK's population is getting older. People are living longer, healthier, and more active lives. However, the fact remains that most people will still naturally develop health issues as they grow older. 75% of 75-year-olds in the UK have more than one long term condition, rising to 82% of 85-year-olds.
As a result, the number of people who need social care has risen over recent years. This creates challenges. 1,5 million people work in adult social care in England. But even this number cannot satisfy the UK's social care need. In addition, the way we approach social care is also changing. Most older people want to stay at home for longer. However, for many, this independence needs to be balanced by the reasurrance that, should something happen, help is nearby.
Thankfully, advances in digital telecare mean network connections are significantly more reliable, robust, and secure than those found in analogue technology. What's more, connections between a device and a monitoring centre are much quicker - reduced from 60-90 seconds to 5-10 seconds in most cases - giving older people and their families peace of mind.
