What is electronic assistive technology?

Electronic assistive technology means a range of electronic devices that have been developed to assist people with physical, sensory or mental health difficulties to continue to live at home as safely and independently as possible.

In Sandwell, STAY (Sandwell Telecare Assisting You) is responsible for providing and installing these devices.

We aim to provide equipment that will:

• assist people to monitor and maintain a safe home environment
• assist carers to care for someone at home
• reduce the risk of falls and accidents within the home
• prevent avoidable admissions to hospital

Who could benefit the equipment that we provide?

Anyone who:

• is forgetting to take medication on time
• is at risk of wandering out of the house alone
• is vulnerable to temperature extremes
• is unable to react to emergencies within the home
• needs a light to be automatically switched on when getting up at night
• is caring for someone but cannot be with them 24-hours a day
• is at risk of falling
• has carers that need to be alerted when help is required

What equipment is available?

With advances in technology the list of available equipment is constantly expanding. It includes:

• fall detectors
• movement sensors
• gas cooker lock off valves
• smoke detectors / heat detectors
• door and window contact alarms
• automatic medication reminder boxes
• flood detectors
• high and low room temperature sensors
• automatic night light sensors
• alarm buttons / pendants
• remote control switches

The sensors and alarms can be programmed to alert individuals or their carers via:

• a mobile phone
• a community alarm call centre
• an audible alarm in the house
• a vibrating pager

How can I get equipment from STAY?

If you think you need equipment from us, or would like to find out more, contact STAY on 0121 569 2758, or by fax on 0121 569 2753 or email stay_team@sandwell.gov.uk

Or speak to:

• your local adult social care fieldwork team
• district nurse
• occupational therapist
• physiotherapist
• other health or social care worker

They will carry out an assessment. If this shows that our equipment will help, they will ask us for the appropriate equipment for you.

Who installs the equipment?

A STAY technician will install and test the equipment.

The majority of sensors and alarms are wireless. Most are battery operated. They can be fitted easily and quickly.