technology as an enabler

1© 2010 Tunstall Australasia Pty Ltd

Connections through telecareCase studies

July 2010Lisa CapamagianSales & Marketing Manager Tunstall Healthcare


Technology as an enabler


How telecare works


How telecare can support the whole community

Vulnerable or at risk, at home or work

Helping free up hospital beds

People who fall & are injured or disoriented

Environmental conditions that could result in personal or household damage

Life threatening medical conditions

Criminal threat


Telecare providing connected care


The situation: • Vernon’s wife died 2 years ago following a long

battle with breast cancer. He found it difficult to cope with her death and that he was unable to care for her at home

• He had been taking anti-depressants and during a recent doctors appointment was found to have lost 2 stone, was unshaven and had gravy stains on his pullover. He had no friends or family nearby.

• Vernon was diagnosed with suffering from paranoia and depression.

UK Mental Health Case Study: Reconnecting people through telecare

UK Mental Health Statistics• Mental illness affects 13 million people • 1 in 6 people aged 65+ are affected by depression • Older people are at greater risk of depression when isolated or suffering from chronic physical illness


UK Mental Health Case Study: Reconnecting people through telecare

3 main risks were identified:1. lack of nutrition – movement sensors and

pressure mat placed in the kitchen. If not activated regularly, a reminder call from monitoring centre would be made

2. social isolation – pressure mat at the exit door to alert if Vernon was not going out or visitors coming in

3. hypothermia – temperature extremes sensor to warn of inadequate heating in winter months, and also warns of fire danger.

THE OUCOME: With the intervention from his GP, Vernon’s health improved. The regular interaction with the response centre and care sensor monitoring provided him with reassurance and supportVernon started eating regularly and even joined an elders social group.


Falls Case Study: Independence through connected telecare

The Challenge• Syncope drop attacks come on

suddenly with no warning • Had many dangerous

incidents of falling outside and in the home

• Had to move in with parents• For 3 years every day

someone had to keep an eye on Gavin at all times

• Tried to stay positive at times it was quite depressing

• The only solution would be to go into respite

“After living half a lifetime without need for any assistance in my early 40’s I found myself suffering from severe drop attacks, the doctors identified … and advised they are incurable and unable to be managed with medication”



The Solution

• Tunstall fall detector worn on waistband. • The fall detector automatically alerts the

24 hour response centre• In the event of a fall, the response centre

advises Gavin’s parents and will call for emergency assistance if needed.

“It has saved my life numerous times not only from an assistance point of view but personally – I can now live independently in my own home”



Outcome:• Gavin lives alone with the

assistance of a helper who comes twice a day for cooking and cleaning.

“We are so proud of our son Gavin, without his fall detector he could not live an independent life, EMA and the Tunstall response operators give us peace of mind when we know he is alone in his unit. We thank you for your kindness and 24 hour monitoring…” Keith & Jan


Telecare in the home as an alternative…providing connected care solutions

• Assistive technology solutions are designed to improve quality of life, giving the user the confidence and ability to remain in their own home safe in the knowledge that help will always be available when and if it is needed.

• Although technology alone is not the complete answer; used as part of a holistic package of service, it can reduce the burden on healthcare resources.


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