Technology enabled care (previously Telecare)
Technology enabled care (TEC) is technology and supporting services that help you to stay independent or get help in an emergency.
It uses devices such as personal alarms and sensors for your home that are linked to a 24/7 response centre.
Our Lancashire TEC service is delivered by Progress Lifeline, they monitor the devices and run the response centre.
When a personal alarm or sensor is activated, an operator will assess the situation and alert a nominated contact or emergency services.
Costs
There is a charge for the service but all equipment is paid for by Lancashire County Council. The council maintains ownership of all equipment.
There are three different service levels to choose from.
Levels of service
Level one - Monitoring service (£4 per week)
You must nominate two people who live nearby to have a set of keys for your home. When an alert is raised Progress Lifeline will notify your 'keyholders' to enable them to respond and, if necessary, the appropriate emergency service.
Level two - Responder service (£5.50 per week)
A set of your keys will be kept in a key safe outside your home. When an alert is raised, a member of staff from Progress Lifeline (or the emergency services, if necessary) will enter your home to check on you, using the keys from the key safe to gain entry.
Level three - Premium service (£9 per week)
Includes the level 2 service plus either a weekly face-to-face welfare visit, or two weekly telephone calls from a member of staff at Progress Lifeline.
The visit or phone call will normally last for 10 minutes. The caller will check that you are well and talk about how you are feeling.
Falls lifting service
The fall lifting service is available to everyone using the TEC service, regardless of your chosen service level.
The service is there if you fall, but are not injured, and need help to get back on your feet. You can access the service with a TEC pendant or watch.
Apply for TEC
You must be a Lancashire resident aged over 18 to receive our TEC service.
If you think TEC could help you, you can apply for it yourself. You do not need to be receiving any health or social care help and you do not need to have had a social care assessment.
You can use the form below to apply for the TEC service through Lancashire County Council.
After you submit the form, an advisor from Progress Lifeline will be in touch within 6 working days. They will arrange an assessment visit and the installation.
You can also call Lancashire County Council on 0300 123 6720 to apply for the service.
If you wish to arrange TEC yourself you can visit the Progress Lifeline website or contact Progress Lifeline directly on 03333 204 999.
You can also search for other TEC service providers through the Telecare Services Association website.
Features of the TEC service
For all levels of TEC service:
- charges will be the same no matter how many pieces of equipment are installed
- TEC will be charged at a flat weekly rate per household
- charges will remain the same no matter how often you trigger your alarm
- any costs for maintenance, exchange and repair of equipment will be covered by the charge
- charges will be reviewed annually
Help with costs
If you have other care services
TEC is not a means tested service, so is not subject to a financial assessment. However, you can request that the cost is offset against your financial assessment, if you have other care services. This is known as a disability related expense and you can find more information in financial implications for non residential care.
Government benefits and support
You may be eligible for benefits or allowances that could be used to pay for the service. Please visit the Government's website to check the benefits and financial support you could get.