Shropshire Council

Useful gadgets

There are various gadgets and aids available to support independence and wellbeing. For many people they can go a long way to preventing certain conditions from worsening, or even going unnoticed. In addition to this, they can provide great reassurance to carers who are concerned for their loved ones or who may feel that they're struggling to cope in continuing with their caring role.

What is Technology Enabled Care?

Technology Enabled Care, sometimes referred to as Assistive Technology or Telecare, is an umbrella term that describes a wide range of devices, appliances and systems used to help those of us with care and support needs. It is best defined as:

“Any form of technology that helps us with daily living as we get older or if we have a disability”

The deliberate use of the term “us” and “we” recognises we all may require help at some point in our lives, but this technology can also be of help to those of us who have a caring role.

Although in most cases when we say “technology” we mean electronic devices, it can also mean simpler, non-electronic items. The word “technology” in this context simply means the application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes.

Technology Enabled Care is designed to be very easy and intuitive to use, after all it is supposed to make our lives easier! 

Who is Technology Enabled Care for?

Technology Enabled Care can be a benefit to anybody who needs a little extra help to continue to live independently in their own homes, and can provide help with the following aspects of independent living:

Safety in the home

These devices can help improve safety in the home. They include gas, smoke, extreme temperature and flood detectors, as well as simple lighting solutions and sophisticated systems which can control lots of different functions within the home from a single remote-control unit, hand gestures or even your voice.

Health and personal safety

Technology Enabled Care can be used to raise an alert should you fall, have a seizure, or become confused and disoriented away from home.

Communication

Being able to keep in touch with family and friends is important but sometimes conventional equipment can be difficult for some of us to use. Thankfully there is a range of equipment that can help us, including easy-to-use telephones and mobile phones, and simple solutions for people to call for help from another person within their home.

Prompts and reminders

We all get forgetful from time to time but for some of us remembering important things like when to take medication, can be a challenge. The good news is there’s a range of devices specifically designed to help including clock calendars, medication reminders and audible reminders. These work by giving you visual or audible prompts and reminders for those important things we need to remember.

How do I find out more about Technology Enabled Care?

If, following an assessment of your needs, you're deemed to be eligible, you may be offered Technology Enabled Care as an option. If this is the case, we may source the equipment on your behalf and organise installation if needed.

There are various organisations which supply gadgets to support independent living in our Community Directory. You can also find out more from the external websites linked to this page.