£134,000 for Home Safety Packages

A new initiative by Manchester City Council worth £134,000 is helping vulnerable people, feel safer and more confident in their own homes.

Manchester City Council is encouraging people to sign up for one of the The Home Safety Packages (HSP) which are part of the Assitive Technology Package Project currently running across the city. The project are developing telephone based care services, to help people to feel safe in their own homes.

The HSP includes a pendant alarm, two smoke detectors, bogus caller button, carbon monoxide detector, and where a need is identified a flood detector can also be included.

When any alarms are triggered they are immediately answered by staff, via special phone lines, who then alert the emergency services or the person's carer.

Home Safety Packages have already been installed into 50 peoples homes, with some very positive feedback.

Naseem from Whalley Range had been hospitalised due to heart and blood pressure difficulties. On returning home she was weak and felt frightened that if she had a fall or there was an emergency she would be on her own without any help.

Naseem said: "Now I have the Home Safety Package I feel much safer - it means my husband can go out to work and also collect the children knowing that I am safe."

Neela from Gorton is the main carer for her mother, Jane. Recently, Jane became ill and was admitted to hospital. On Jane's return and after a Home Safety Package was fitted, Neela saw instant results. She said: "Mum feels much safer on her own now and feels much more independent - before being hospitalised she was so frightened of falling and not being found that it could taker her a long time just to get into a chair.

She added: "Now she has much more confidence knowing that if she falls or if there is someone at the door she doesn't trust help can be called. As a carer I especially like the flood detector - one of my big worries had been that Mum may leave the taps running - now we are much more reassured."

The project has the full backing of Councillor Basil Curley, Manchester City Council's Executive Member for Adult Services said: "Manchester City Council's approach to Telecare is both dynamic and exciting. The underlying ethos has always been to enhance dignity, independence and choice to Manchester citizens. The Home Safety Package has a strong role to play in offering customers positive and practical solutions which can be applied to both maintaining independence and also harm prevention."

To find out how you or someone that you care for can receive the package or advice, call Manchester Contact Centre: on 0161 255 8250.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Fiona Smith, Press Office, tel: 0161 234 3237.