What is the TEC team?

The TEC team provides guidance, training and advice to citizens and professionals.

If appropriate, the council can loan you assistive technology to support your independence and safety.

We can also provide reassurance and support for family members. People are happier and healthier when they can remain as independent as possible in their communities.

Our services:

• prevent, reduce and delay the need for formal care services
• support informal carers
• help communities build resilience

You can ask for a referral to the TEC Team by calling Peterborough City Council on 01733 747474.

You can also download and complete the the TEC / Lifeline self-referral form and emailing it to adultsocialcare@peterborough.gov.uk

TEC / Lifeline self-referral form (download as a word document)

TEC / Lifeline self-referral form (download as a pdf)

How it can benefit you

This section includes a range of technology that can support you to live independently.  Please note that not all of these items can be provided by the council's TEC team.

Medication Prompts

There are different ways to remind people to take their medicine. It is best to use existing systems before trying new ones. This could mean:

• using the calendar on a mobile phone
• using an existing smart home assistant
• downloading an app which prompts you to take medication
• using a multi alarm wrist watch or clock

If these do not work, we would discuss the use of an automated pill dispenser. Alarms can be added to the box to raise alerts if medication is not taken.

Your GP or pharmacist can help you manage a complicated medication schedule. They can review your medication with you.  You can find out more about medication prompts at Pivotell.

Epilepsy

Some electronic devices can identify if a person has had a seizure. This is usually detected through a combinations of continuous movements, noise or heart rate change. Detectors are usually used overnight under the mattress of your bed but there are alternative options which you can wear. Alerts can be raised via a pager or a smart device.

Door alarms

If you have a cognitive impairment, door alarms can help to ensure your safety by notifying someone else if you go through a door. Alarms can be applied to internal or external doors and can provide reassurance for family members.

Home activity sensors

These can assess how you are managing at home by looking at your activity levels around the property over a period of time. This information we can help you and your carers decide if the support you have in place is appropriate.

Just Checking uses small motion detectors to check on the movements and activity of a person. Find out more about Just Checking.

Falls Detector

You can wear these devices alongside a community alarm pendant. They can detect a series of events such as an impact, a change of height and acceleration. Using this information the falls detector can raise an alert independently of the wearer to indicate that there may have been a fall.

If you have a fall you will be able to get help more quickly. Having these devices can help you to feel more confident when walking around your home and can provide piece of mind to family members.  For overnight we may also suggest a bed sensor in addition, or instead of, a falls detector. This will raise an alert if you do not go to bed or are out of bed during the night for an unusual period of time which might indicate a problem.

Home safety

This includes smoke or flood detectors to raise alerts remotely when activated. Other solutions include panic buttons, smart doorbells.

Real life stories of how TEC has helped people 

Told from an individual’s perspective. In their own words these case studies and videos highlight the personal challenges each of the people faced, and how these were, in part, overcome with the aid of technology.

Different types of TEC

Telecare

Telecare is a system of sensors used to help check a person’s environment and behaviour in their home and identify if they might need help or support. The devices can be anything from a basic alarm system to sensors to alert someone if a person has left their home or had a fall. The sensors are connected to a 24/7 response centre.  The response team can provide advice and support and take action. This can include deploying the emergency services or alerting a family member.
The council is working with Cambs TEC Team to provide LifeLine telecare solutions. This service has supported people to remain independent in their own homes, in sheltered housing and in supported living. 

LifeLine is a lightweight call button worn as a pendant or round your wrist. It also comes with a base unit that connects the call button to the phone line and can also be used with a mobile phone. Telecare sensors use a landline or mobile phone to raise an alert to the monitoring centre. The centre can call a named responder or the emergency services.  

For more information on telecare contact the Adult Early Help Team on 01733 747474.

Wi-fi Lifeline

This is not connected to a call centre but linked to family/neighbours/friends phones.

View the Easy Link webpage for more details about this product

What is happening to the telephone system?

In the UK, the analogue telephone system that we have used for many years is being gradually replaced with a modern digital system. This is called a digital upgrade. This is because the UK needs a modern telephone system which can handle how people want to communicate by using their mobile phones, laptops, tablets or other electronic devices.

The digital upgrade is planned to be completed by the end of 2025 and phone companies are already encouraging people to upgrade their phone systems. This will involve your phone provider arranging for an engineer to come to your home to install the new system.

What do I have to do?

At this stage, we want to make you aware that this change is happening, so that you will know what to do in case you are contacted and offered a digital upgrade from your old telephone system. It may be, however, that your telephone service has already been upgraded.

If anything is required with regards to your lifeline we will be in touch to advise you.

Assistive Technology Smart Flat - Peterborough

The SMART flat showcases the latest assistive technology, is now open at Kingfisher Court in Peterborough.

The equipment is operational and you can test it. The Lifeline personal alarm system is also live so you can see how the control centre responds to calls.

You are welcome to come along and visit the SMART flat by appointment. To book a time slot please call Peterborough City Council on 01733 747474 (option Adult Social Care) or email:  adultsocialcare@peterborough.gov.uk giving your name, address and phone details. 

We look forward to seeing you.

Helping you save energy

There are lots of ways that modern technology can help you to save energy and control your home environment from your mobile device.

Smart Meters

Smart meters are the next generation of gas and electricity meters. Smart meters and the in-home displays will help you keep track of the energy you use and will cut out the need for meter reading. 

Smart Heating Controls

Smart thermostats are a new type of heating control which connect to the internet, allowing them to be accessed and adjusted remotely. They can give you much greater control over your heating, from wherever you are, at any time of day. There are a range of different smart heating controls currently on the market.

Smart Plugs

A smart plug is a device that plugs into an ordinary socket. The device itself has its own outlet, so in a sense it's like an extension. Instead of plugging your lamp into the wall, you plug it into the smart plug (which is itself plugged into the wall). A smart plug can be controlled remotely, whether by using a home smart hub or connecting to the smart plug with the relevant mobile app. Some plugs are even programmable so that they automatically turn on or off depending on certain timers or events.

Ways of keeping in touch

Video calling 

Video calling is a means for people to keep in touch with each other, particularly if family and friends are not local. To be able to make a video call you will need a telephone with a video display, capable of simultaneous video and audio for communication in real time.  This is particularly useful for people who are deaf or speech impaired, who can use them with sign language.

Social media

This can be used to promote social inclusion and enable individuals to communicate with family and friends. Social media can promote independence, reduce social isolation and improving well being.

Social media can be accessed from Smartphones, tablets, laptops and computers.

Mobile devices and apps

Mobile devices and apps can be used to support good health, wellbeing and fitness. Apps can help with variety of issues including, food intake, mood and advice on public health (for instance giving up smoking). Apps can also link with health devices to track blood pressure and weight. Apps can also be used to access information and advice and services offered by the NHS, local authority and other providers.

In Your Pocket

In Your Pocket is RNIB’s accessible newsagent, library and information delivered to your pocket.

Staying in touch with family and friends has never been more important. In Your Pocket, by RealSAM, is the fully voice controlled Mobile Phone for the Blind and Visually Impaired.

Designed to be easy to use, 'In Your Pocket' is able to:

• make calls
• read messages
• listen to books or newspapers 
• get navigation help

These actions can be used with voice activation.
No need to learn a complicated touch screen or struggle with reading small buttons; just press one button and talk.

In Your Pocket can also connect directly to Bluetooth enabled hearing aids. Find out more in the In Your Pocket website.

Brain in Hand

'Brain in Hand' is a digital self-management support system for people who need help with:

remembering things

making decisions

planning

managing anxiety.

It's often used by people who are autistic, have learning difficulties, or are managing mental health challenges.

You can find more details about the app on their website Brain in Hand

listed below are some free apps that service users and families can download as GPS trackers.

• what3words
• FollowMee GPS Location Tracker
• HERE WeGo Maps & Navigation
• Scout GPS Navigation & Meet Up
• Find My Friends