Wednesday 5 September 2012

Barriers to Telecare Adoption


‘Telecare’ refers to items such as pendant alarms and sensors which can help people to live safely and independently in their own homes. 

There are many reported benefits of using telecare (e.g. peace of mind, rapid response in an emergency, help for family members) - however lots of people who could benefit from having telecare in their homes do not have it. This may be due to cost, because they don’t know about telecare, or because they don’t like it or feel that telecare is of no use to them.  

Researchers from the Telehealth and Care Technologies (TaCT) theme of the NIHR CLAHRC for South Yorkshire are conducting a qualitative study to understand the reasons why many people in Sheffield have refused or have never had telecare. We also wish to understand what might persuade people to accept telecare and what might be the best way to communicate the benefits of telecare to the community (e.g. DVDs, posters).

We will interview people who have refused the Sheffield City Wide Care Alarms service to understand their reasons for deciding not to receive, or not to continue with, telecare. We will also talk to members of local voluntary and community organisations and health and social care professionals to find out a wide range of views regarding telecare refusal. Recruitment of participants is currently getting underway.

The findings will be used to influence the business case and communication methods of Sheffield City Council and City Wide Care Alarm’s telecare service. They will also be used to understand whether perceptions towards telecare have changed in the last twenty years in light of developments in social care services and technology, and also whether proposed changes to social care structure may impact on future telecare use. 

If you would like more information about the study then please contact ClaireBentley or Lauren Powell.

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