Real stories

Doris Blanckley looks after her husband Richard, who has Parkinson's disease and dementia.

Until recently her greatest concerns were that her husband would leave their home without her knowledge or that he would have an accident when she wasn't there. Now Mrs Blanckley is one of around 23,000 carers in the Sunderland area whose lives have been transformed through Sunderland Telecare, an innovative technology scheme run by Sunderland City Council.

How the scheme works

Through the scheme, sensors and monitors can be fitted in carers’ homes. These alert a team at Sunderland Telecare if a person who is being cared for has a fall or leaves their home without telling the carer.

Sunderland Telecare fitted exit sensors to Mrs Blanckley's front door, which she says has given her “real peace of mind”.

“It was really difficult going out before but having the sensors there means I have that assurance that he is safe,” she says.

Once the Sunderland Telecare call centre has been alerted to a problem the team can act quickly, calling emergency services if necessary or sending an alert to Mrs Blanckley through her mobile phone.

Other technology used by Sunderland Telecare includes alarms that can be kept under a carer’s pillow at night, pressure mats and devices that a person being cared for can wear that detect if they have a fall.

All equipment installed by Sunderland Telecare is fitted and maintained free of charge and is paid for out of the council’s central funds.

Depending on the carer’s income there can be a charge for extras such as mobile phone alerts, but for many, such as Mrs Blanckley, this is also free.