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Telecare - How does Telecare work?

Tunstall Lifeline 4000+ Telecare Unit

The Telecare unit is fitted to your telephone point and mains power supply along with the sensors you need.

If you press the call button or one of the sensors is triggered, for example a sensor says you may have had a fall, the Telecare unit will make a telephone call to the call handling centre. 

Woman Telecare operator wearing a headset

An operator at the centre will try to speak to you through the Telecare unit, as the call could be a false alarm.  If it is an emergency, or if the operator cannot speak to you, they will contact someone.  This could be:

  • your family, carer, friends and neighbours;
  • the Police, Ambulance or Fire and Rescue Service;
  • the district nurses;
  • your home carers;
  • the community alarm service's own mobile response service (if this is available in your area); or
  • community or voluntary organisations (for example Alzheimer's Family Support Service).

Community alarm services may offer a mobile response service in some areas of the county.  These provide someone who will come to your home to help you.

The operator at the call handling centre will make sure someone is able to respond to the emergency.  Where possible, they will also try to let you know help is on its way.