Surrey Telecare Summit Presentation
Telecare Project
(Supporting People with
dementia and their carers)
Melanie Bussicott, Head of Community Support Services,
Elmbridge Borough Council
Why the pilot was required
• In 2009 it was estimated that 14,000 older people
had dementia in Surrey (by 2020 this is predicted to
increase to over 17,000)
• National Dementia Strategy 2009 – Driving Forward
Improvements
• Strong Surrey Strategic Partnership and collective
working across both dementia and Telecare Services
– emergence of the Surrey Dementia and Mental
Health Strategy (five year Strategy to help people
live in their own home for longer) –
Background
Proposal
•Why – Leader of Surrey County Council wanted to take
forward the Telecare Agenda in Surrey
•When – As soon as possible after the Leaders’
announcement
•Where – Initially in Elmbridge, Mole Valley and
Spelthorne (past history of working together and very
good links with Dementia services)
•How - £50k funding made available to cover cost of kit
and installations and monitoring. Clients/Carers get
services free for six months in return for participation in
the Project, which involves answering some questions at
the start and end of the period.
Development of Surrey’s
Dementia and Mental Health
Strategy
• Extensive consultation concluded October 2010.
• A key consultation outcome was to ensure stronger
emphasis on supporting carers.
Quote from consultation:
“People with dementia are much happier within their
own environment, keeping their own routine amongst
things that are familiar to them.”
Elmbridge Relief Carers
Scheme
• A Scheme supporting people with Dementia and Alzheimers
Disease and their carers.
• Launched in 1986 (needs led).
• Carers have stated that during the outset and progression of
dementia there are issues and challenges that people do not
expect to face. For many people this calls into question their
previously held beliefs, attitudes, hopes and expectations,
desires, certainties and relationships. What was thought to be a
“right” is no longer appropriate.
• Scheme developed to offer 9 services including: Sitting Service,
Specialist Day Care, two support groups, drop in service, Alz
Café, training, outings programme, PALS (life after caring).
• What can be done in partnership cannot be done alone.
Partnership Working
• Strong partnership working across SCC, Boroughs
and Districts and the Voluntary Sector.
• Telecare Dementia Partnership Group consisting of:
Surrey County Council
Borough and District Councils within pilot area
(Community Alarm Service Managers)
Elmbridge Relief Carers Scheme
Mid Surrey Alzheimers and Health Partners
Key Aspects
• Improving the quality of life through appropriate
community support
• Key role of the older person and their carer
• Process: referral form, Agreement, Risk Assessment
and follow up
• Surrey Telecare Pilot tests:
– Right people
– Right time
– Right equipment
• Has it made a difference to the person/carer (needs,
expectations, self care)
• Future arrangements (Surrey’s eligibility
process/ongoing equipment costs)
Case Studies
• Younger persons with dementia living in Cobham
(smoke alarm).
• Older persons with dementia living in Esher
(community alarm and pill dispenser).
• Wife supporting husband with dementia living in
Walton (bed sensor).
Actions to Date
• Launched May
• Slow start perceived to be due to lack of awareness
of how Telecare can help
• Awareness training started in October with help from
two Telecare Suppliers; Tunstall and Tynetec (Thank
you). Spelthorne and Mole Valley first to have training
completed.
• Runnymede invited to join Project to help boost
numbers. Training undertaken there at outset.
• Number of referrals is now picking up
Dementia Project Totals (all
areas)
Installed
28
In pipeline
9 (Assessed and awaiting
installation)
On hold
8 (Deciding, client in
respite/hospital etc)
Average cost of installed telecare package per client
so far £405.
The Way Forward/Learning
Points
• Vision and passion
• Awareness Raising (train, train, train!)
• Telecare awareness and training Centre to be
launched (supported by portable tools)
• Telecare Smart House
• Referral process
• Response service
• Feedback, evaluation and capture
• Future working arrangements post pilot
The Way Forward/ Learning
Points continued
•
•
•
•
•
New equipment
Location devises
Links across Surrey (good grass root relationships)
Client verses carer support
Pilot verses mainstream (part of standard care
management programme)
• High verses moderate challenge (funding and
commissioning strategy)
• Delay the pyramid climb (part of a personalisation
approach meeting individual needs)
Reach
Sustainability
Mainstreaming