Technologies to monitor the safety of elderly and disabled people in their homes have been shown by a Department of Health pilot scheme to be effective in reducing the costs of social care.

The DH has selected North Yorkshire County Council as an exemplar provider of telecare services. The Council has saved over £1 million through telecare over the last year that would otherwise have been spent on domiciliary or residential care. This cut the average person's care costs by 38% (£3,600 per person).

Telecare could prevent 160,000 people from entering residential care per year, with annual cost savings of £2.0 billion, according to DH estimates. However, the value of assistive technologies to social care is not widely appreciated.

Phil Hope, Care Services Minister, has visited a 'wise home' technology demonstrator in Harrogate that features a sensor to switch on the lights when the occupant gets out of bed, a temperature detector to assist thermostatic control and a flood detector. He commented:

"High-quality care and support should enable people to remain independent for longer, developing their skills and interests so they can get more out of life. Telecare has an important role to play. North Yorkshire is a great example of innovative support that is breaking the mould and challenging perceptions of care.

"Individual budgets are helping people personalise their own services," he went on, "whether it's rediscovering their love of horse riding or employing a personal assistant to help them get out and about.

"We will soon set out a blueprint for a new National Care Service that is fair, simple and affordable for all. Innovative, personalised services will be a central pillar of the new system."

Phil Hope