Equipment, adaptations and telecare

You might find that special equipment and adaptations to your home can help you and the person you care for with day-to-day tasks.

You might want to:

  • Make adaptions to the home (such as installing grab rails, ramps or a creating a wetroom).
  • Buy equipment and aids. These could be walking aids, special chairs, aids to turn taps and pour water, or cutlery that is easier to use.
  • See if telecare, alarms and sensors could alert you if the person you care for needs help.

Find out more about care equipment, aids and adaptations on NHS Choices.

Telecare, alarms and sensors

Telecare can help keep the person you care for safe when you are not there.

Sensors on appliances and doors around their home, or worn by them, can let you know if they are doing something out of the ordinary or need help.  

Telecare does not need anyone to remember to do anything as it works automatically. Some telecare sensors can even automatically switch off gas or electricity, or prompt people to take medication. 

There is usually a cost for telecare so get in touch with your local council to find out if telecare could help you and the person you care for, and if there is help to pay for it.

Telecare can help the person you care for remain independent for longer. It can also reassure you that you will be contacted if they need help.

How does telecare work?

If a sensor detects a problems it will get in touch with your, or with a call centre that is available 24 hours a day. These sensors can detect if the person you care for:

  • Has fallen
  • Is having a seizure (movement alarm)
  • Has got up, or left the house, and not returned. This could be detected by a pressure sensor in the bed or by a door and can be very useful if the person you care for has dementia
  • Is very cold (hypothermia alarm)

Find out more about telecare and alarms on NHS Choices.