Assistive technology

Assistive technology is a range of electronic aids that can help you live independently and safely in your own home.

The Technology and Independence team (also known as Assistive Technology) are highly experienced in delivering this service and can make a big difference to your quality of life.

We can provide support for carers of, and people living with a wide range of issues such as:

• physical disabilities
• risk of falls
• memory problems
• ill-health
• frailty
• learning disabilities
• mental health problems

Prices

Please call us on 0191 455 5523 for information about equipment, services, and package prices.

Benefits of the service:

People who use this service experience a range of benefits, including:

• Feeling safer and more confident in their own home
• Feeling safe and secure out in the community
• Being reminded to do daily tasks like washing, bathing, cooking, cleaning, and taking medication
• Removing worry and giving peace of mind to families or carers
• Reducing the chance of hospital admissions, for example as a result of a fall
• Reducing the need for home care or admission to a residential / nursing home

Assistive technology

A caring, confidential and professional service, which includes a 24-hour monitoring service, 365 days of the year.

Staff in the control centre will receive any alarm calls made from the technology within your home and provide a response. This could be a fall, medical emergency, fire or CO2 leak for example.

You do not have to answer your phone as you will be able to hear and talk to a member of staff through the loudspeaker on the assistive technology control box. If there is no response from you, a nominated person will be contacted. This could be a carer, family member, friend, or next of kin.

If you require physical support, the Mobile Response team will attend and offer help if required or call for support from emergency services if you need medical assistance.

GPS monitoring

If you are a carer and want to be able to monitor the movements of someone you care for via GPS, you can do this from your own handheld device and get an alert if they have left their home or nominated safe place. There will be no alarm unit required for this service.

Wellbeing and independence

If you are looking for non-physical support without the need for an alarm unit you can be part of our wellbeing and independence service.

The service will provide regular phone calls or video calls to prompt people with medication, nutrition, and personal hygiene.

This also acts as a barrier to social isolation, giving people that one-to-one contact with another person daily, either by phone or on a device that will allow the person to receive video calls. When a person is part of this service, they may also be signposted to alternative services that would benefit them.

Some of our equipment includes (but is not limited to):

• Alarm unit and pendant - This is a direct link to our 24-hour control room to support people in crisis.
• Falls Detector - Makes a call when a fall has been detected, this is particularly helpful for those who suffer black outs (Note: slips and controlled falls will not be detected).
• Smoke Detector - Provides early warning of smoke.
• Flood Detector - Provides early warning of flood for example, a tap being left on.
• Temperature Sensor - Monitor and maintain a healthy temperature in the home.
• Bed / Chair Sensor - Alerts when someone has left their bed / chair.
• Floor Sensor - Sends an alert when someone is moving in the home.
• GPS Tracking - Alerts a nominated person (carer, family member or friend) if you leave your home (this is monitored by the nominated person, not the technology and independence staff).
• Sound Booster - For those who are hard of hearing to be able to hear the caller through the alarm unit more clearly (put in all homes with 2+ bedrooms).
• Pills dispenser - Sounds an alarm when the person is required to take their medication (suitability is determined by a person's prescription).
• YourMeds - Can be monitored by an app on a family members phone to see if a person has taken their medication at the correct times (suitability is determined by a person's prescription and subject to assessment)
• Door Sensor - This will alert the control centre or a care assist (see below) when a door is opened.
• Care Assist - This is a handheld device that alerts carers when an alarm has been activated by the person they are caring for such as a bed sensor.
• Hearing / Sensory - Devices to support people with sensory impairments (for example, a visual or hearing impairment).
• Digital clocks - These can also be used to set medication reminders.

You can apply for assistive technology through the Technology and Independence team within South Tyneside Council.

Applying online

If you are interested in assistive technology, you can apply to get assessed to see what equipment you need. 

You can apply for an assessment online for yourself or for someone you know.

Apply for assistive technology

Other ways to apply

You can also call the Technology and Independence Service on 0191 455 5523.

Assessments can take place over the phone, or by visiting you in your home.

If you wish to apply for the Wellbeing and Independence Service, please contact the Let's Talk team.