Telecare case studies

Vilma's story

Telecare enables Vilma to live safely and independently at home with her husband.

View a written transcript of Vilma's story.

Mick's story

Telecare has strengthened a Maidstone couple’s relationship, and improved their quality of life.

Mick and Jean have been married for 43 years. When Mick was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1989 both their lives took a dramatic turn.

The burden of Mick’s disability has over time, had a significant impact on their lives. Mick has had to deal with adapting day-to-day with the effects of MS which for him includes enduring a level of disability, having to use a wheelchair, fatigue, and an increasingly poor short-term memory.

Meanwhile Jean has taken on the role of her husband’s full-time carer, a role that most spouses take on as a matter of course and very often their efforts as formal carers are not recognized.

Mick’s Care Manager initially recommended him for the Telecare service because of the risks to him associated with falling. It wasn’t until later that Jean noticed an unexpected benefit to her as a carer.

Jean started to use the Telecare system as a respite service. Ensuring that Mick was wearing his Telecare pendant, she said “if I’m having a bad day, stress, the lot, I’m out of the door, I can get in the car, and down the shops I go!

Rediscovering her independence and knowing that Mick is looked after by Telecare has freed Jean up to enjoy some time for herself where she can look after her own needs and enjoy the company of friends and family without constantly looking over her shoulder to check on her husband."

Brian's story

“Life as a 24/7 carer is extremely stressful but every now and then one receives a kindly word of encouragement or help, which reduces the stress load.”

Alarm systems were put into place, which alerted myself whenever my wife decided to leave her chair or bed at night. I have to admit that these alarms have eased my life in the way that I can now prepare meals or do some washing etc. and have confidence that I will be alerted if my wife is having problems.

I have been asked by Telecare to trial a pager which will enable me to go into the garden or upstairs and know with confidence that I will be alerted if my wife needs help.

I am convinced that without these aids I would be finding life so much more difficult, and it has given me a small degree of independence, which is  invaluable.”