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  1. FAQs

Technology Enabled Care and Support (TECS)

Increasingly, technology affects all aspects of our lives, whether its making a purchase online or using social media. As people become more familiar with it, they are becoming more confident in its use.

However, at this time of great change, the delivery of social care services is still based mainly on traditional providers who deliver ‘hours of support’ which is a costly and potentially ineffective way of meeting your needs.

Technology Enabled Care and Support (TECS) allows you to get the support you require to meet your outcomes when and how you want it, empowering you to have better choice and control over your life with a lower cost by reducing your dependence on paid hourly support. You can find some of our most frequently asked questions below.

Responses to Meet Your Needs

Not every notification or alert will require a physical response from the local team. Responses can be via a telephone call or a video link through a tablet installed as part of your package.

However, if a physical response from a member of the local responder team is needed you will get one. We aim to get our local responder to you within 25 minutes and, as we operate small teams of highly skilled and qualified staff, you will receive a truly personalised service from support staff you know well.

Our responders will become part of your wider support team and you will know who to expect when your responder calls or visits you at home.

Local Responder Service

The responder element of our TECS service is based centrally in North Lanarkshire. We have four trained and experienced colleagues who provide a monitoring and responder service between 10pm and 8am every night of the year.

Our monitoring staff have access to all ‘real time’ data from your installed sensors and home-based hub through the platform. The responder team can see immediately when any parameters are exceeded and are able to respond to these as agreed in your support plan.

Hear from Liam, a person we support, talking about his experience of the service.


What is TECS?

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TECS stands for Technology Enabled Care and Support. Cornerstone’s TECS service combines cutting-edge technology with our local Responder Service to replace, where appropriate, traditional methods of service delivery based on paid support whilst still providing a truly personalised service.

Published: 17th August, 2021

Updated: 24th August, 2021

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Is the technology proven?

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Yes, the continuous, automatic, remote monitoring of real-time data to manage the risks of independent living has been available for many years. The capabilities have been expanded with technological advancements and we are now able to use data to provide meaningful insights which were not possible through more traditional types of monitoring available, such as static door alerts of emergency pull cords.

Published: 17th August, 2021

Updated: 24th August, 2021

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Will the person being supported be at higher risk?

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No, in many respects the person being supported will be safer as the real time data from the sensors allows automatic notifications and alerts to be generated and timely responses to be triggered.

The knowledge that this automatic, continuous monitoring is being remotely monitored and is receiving appropriate responses from Cornerstone’s local qualified and experienced Responder team will give the person being supported and their family peace of mind.

Added to this, the ability to analyse the data over time to give a more detailed picture of the supported persons patterns assists in planning with all relevant professional’s involvement, for more meaningful outcomes.

Published: 17th August, 2021

Updated: 24th August, 2021

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How does TECS work?

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Following a detailed TECS assessment completed by Cornerstone’s Responder team, we will develop an individual package of technology sensors which meet the supported persons individual support needs, chosen lifestyle and desired outcomes. The collection of data from sensors is only the first stage in the process. The platform is then programmed with a set of Rules that are unique to the person being supported which then determine the notifications or alerts that will be automatically triggered when parameters are exceeded for the Responder team to action. For example, different rules may apply to alerts triggered at weekends when the supported persons chosen living pattern is different to that during the week.

Published: 17th August, 2021

Updated: 24th August, 2021

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What type of sensors will be installed?

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This will depend on the supported persons TECS assessment, their chosen lifestyle and their desired outcomes. We use a range of ‘best of breed’ sensors including but not exclusive to the following:
  • Motion sensor to detect real-time movements in a room or zone.
  • Contact sensor to detect open and closed events such as from doors or windows.
  • Action button that is customised to be pushed at any time from the desired location.
  • Occupancy sensor to see if a person is going to bed at the usual time or staying in bed during the night.
  • Enuresis (incontinence) sensor suitable for a bed, pillowcases, chair, or wheelchair to detect moisture.
  • Epilepsy bed monitor that detects tonic-clonic seizures.
  • Smoke sensor that is a smoke detector and fire alarm in one.
  • CO sensor that detects precise measurements of carbon monoxide.
  • Flood sensor that detects a water leak or changes in temperatures.
  • Tablet that can be used to communicate using video or voice calls to the person being supported.

Published: 17th August, 2021

Updated: 24th August, 2021

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Is the technology only for monitoring overnight support?

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TECS does not stop when the sun comes up! While technology is particularly well suited for linking to an overnight responder service as a cost-effective alternative to sleepover support, it has applicability to daytime support. The technology has applications 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Published: 17th August, 2021

Updated: 24th August, 2021

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Can it be tried before there is a commitment to the service?

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Yes, we can provide a trial installation to allow the person who will be supported to check whether technology can meet their needs and is right for them. There will be a small cost associated with this which will be refunded against the subscription/service fees upon confirming a permanent package.

Published: 17th August, 2021

Updated: 24th August, 2021

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Is TECS suitable for everyone?

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Technology is not right for everyone, for example, it may not be well-suited for individuals with complex needs.

We will work with the person who is to be supported and their support network (family/social work/health team), our technology providers and our Responder team to undertake a detailed TECS assessment to establish whether a technology installation can support that individual to live the life that they desire.

If this cannot be established, we will work with the supported individual to help them to determine other ways in which we may be able to enhance their service. We will never install technology into a home just because we can. We will only use technology when we can demonstrate a benefit to individuals and make a positive difference in their life.

Published: 17th August, 2021

Updated: 24th August, 2021

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What if the person being supported needs to speak to someone?

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The individual’s bespoke technology installation can include a tablet which provides voice and video capabilities that will be set up with Rules in line with GDPR for the Responder team to action.

An enhancement to the technology platform is the Carezapp Companion App (downloadable from the Apple Appstore or Google Play Store) which allows communication links to be established to the supported persons family and wider circle as appropriate.

Published: 17th August, 2021

Updated: 24th August, 2021

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© 2023 Cornerstone. Cornerstone Community Care (operating as Cornerstone), registered Scottish Charity (no. SC004780). Company Limited by Guarantee (no. SC070762). Registered office: Johnstone House, 52-54 Rose Street, Aberdeen, AB10 1HA. All services registered with the Care Inspectorate. Our care staff require to be registered members of the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC).

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