Assistive technology

Assistive technology helps you to live at home if you are vulnerable and need support.

The aim is to improve safety, independence and wellbeing, also to reduce the impact of impairments and secondary health conditions. The assistive technology equipment and services are tailored to you, allowing you to live the life you choose while meeting your lifestyle outcomes.  

Our offer

We work with NRS Healthcare to help provide our assistive technology service. The service uses a wide range of equipment that can be linked to a monitoring centre, to family and friends or to other technology devices in the home. You can find out more on the NRS Healthcare website.

It can be used in the short term, for example to help you after leaving hospital, and / or to provide long-term support.

Assistive technology:

  • works 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year
  • provides real-time alerts or calls when equipment is activated
  • typically alerts a monitoring centre with dedicated trained operators

These operators will:

  • speak to you
  • have your details
  • know who to call in an emergency

Assessing your needs

If you have an allocated worker with us, please contact them to complete an assessment for the assistive technology service. We will assess your needs to find out which solutions might be best for you and if you are eligible for financial support.

For further information about this, or to request an assessment of your needs, please contact us.

Assessments for referral to the service will take place with you and a professional. Find out about the financial assessment and social care needs assessment that form part of the process.

Private payment

You can choose to pay privately for assistive technology.

This includes assistive technology equipment which can be bought and responded to by family, friends or carers. This can be arranged directly on the NRS Healthcare website or by calling 01904 221473 and selecting option 2.

Local private telecare providers

There are also other private pay telecare options specific to your local area. Use our lookup tool to find out about these services.

Search for telecare services in your local area

Alternative providers

If you choose to go with an alternative provider, you will not be eligible for a financial assessment to potentially help with the cost of your assistive technology service.

Children's assistive technology

Our assistive technology service is available for children. Visit our children’s assistive technology service page for more information.

Glossary

Assistive technology

Assistive technology uses a range of remote equipment matched to your personal needs to help increase, maintain or improve functional capabilities as well as enabling you to live as independently and as safely as possible. 

Monitoring centre

When an assistive technology device is activated and / or pressed, data is sent to the monitoring centre where an operator will provide advice, gather the information or get help.

Technologies and gathering data can help commissioners and services to deliver smarter care.  

Private pay

Private pay is when you make a payment arrangement with the assistive technology organisation instead of using our processes.

Technology enabled care

Technology enabled care includes technologies such as telehealth, telecare and telemedicine. It also includes digital health services like self-care apps, health IT, smart home technologies, artificial intelligence, connectivity and internet of things solutions.

These digital solutions have the potential to transform the way you engage in, manage and control your healthcare. 

Telecare

Telecare is a range of technologies and equipment that can be used to support you. It is continuously developing and diversifying, thus the current change to assistive technology and future progression to technology enabled care.