Mr D aged 47 suffering from epilepsy, diabetes, arthritis and premature dementia. Due to his epilepsy and diabetes Mr D was suffering frequent seizures resulting in falls, which required hospital treatment and/or stays as an inpatient. His clinicians were conscious that many of these admissions or A & E visits could be avoided if assistance could be given as soon as possible after the event, as most of the times it was several hours before the next planned care visit.

Role of Telecare24

His social care worker was put in contact with a local assessment team who went with them to visit Mr D. The assessment recommended the installation of a telecare alarm system with a fall detector for daytime use and a bed sensor set for 20 minutes absence for the night time. A key safe was installed as well to allow the ambulance crews easy access to the property at night, which was when many of the falls were happening. Telecare was seen by the social care team as the last attempt at keeping Mr D in his own home as otherwise the potential risks and cost of frequent hospital admissions would dictate that he be moved into some form of residential care.

Outcome

The telecare equipment was installed and Mr D was able to continue living in his own home with in excess of 80% of his seizures now being picked up by the telecare equipment which has resulted in a considerable reduction in A & E admissions.