‘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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