Looking after someone 2017, Wales | Page 18

Equipment and technology Different types of equipment, adaptations and technology could help make your home safer, your life easier and provide independence for the person you are looking after. Equipment could be purchased privately or you might be able to get help with the cost through the NHS or through assessments from social services, if they consider that the person you are looking after needs such equipment. 18 Adaptations can be paid for privately, or you could see if you or the person you are looking after can apply for a disabled facilities grant. Local Care and Repair agencies across Wales also help homeowners and private tenants to repair, adapt and maintain their homes – see page 34 Visit carersuk.org/equipment to read our online information. Telecare and telehealth use technology to help people to live independently in their own homes and give you, the carer, peace of mind: Telecare consists of a range of unobtrusive monitoring technology such as sensors positioned throughout the home which can detect if there is a problem, such as a gas leak or fire, or if the person Looking after someone you look after has a problem and needs assistance. It also includes wearable technology that can detect falls and locate a person if they have wandered. Telehealth is a way of monitoring a person’s health remotely, through equipment they have in their home - it can monitor conditions such as asthma, heart failure, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), stroke and hypertension. Visit carersuk.org/telecare to read our online information. Everyday technology such as the internet or your mobile phone can take the stress out of a whole host of tasks such as shopping and co-ordinating care for the person you look after and can help with condition self management. Find out more at carersuk.org/ technology carerswales.org