Official launch of The St Michael’s Centre for Independent Living

Cumbria’s new Telecare service can be seen in action at the new ‘The St Michael’s Centre for Independent Living’ in Workington. Professionals such as GPs, healthcare commissioners/providers, representatives from Cumbria County Council and Age UK are amongst those invited to the launch of the Centre, which will take place on 26 June at 11.30am at its home in Station Road, Workington.  Alongside Telecare, there will be a display of daily living equipment and information about the new Dementia Care Environments Project which is offered via Allerdale Adult Social Care Team in partnership with Age UK West Cumbria

Telecare is a flexible telephone based, alarm system which helps people live independently in their own homes for as long as possible. Telecare helps users build confidence as well as offering greater peace of mind for themselves and their families.

Telecare has a base unit plugged into a user’s telephone line and a pendant worn around the user’s neck or wrist. This provides access to a 24-hour monitoring service offering an instant response from anywhere in the home or garden. Telecare can be linked to a series of alarms and sensors in key parts of the home offering an immediate early warning if something is wrong.  Sensors can pick up on things like smoke, flood and carbon monoxide in the home.  They can also be used to detect if someone has left their home or had a fall.

James Airey, Cabinet member for Adult Social Care, said: “Telecare offers a vision for the future – using technology in creative ways to support people to live independently in their own homes.”

“St Michael’s offers customers and their families a great opportunity to see Telecare in action alongside the wide range of other equipment available to support them to live independently.  I am delighted we have been able to work with Age UK on this joint venture.”

Age UK West Cumbria has been at the St Michael’s Active Living Centre since 2008, which is now ‘The St Michael’s Centre for Independent Living. The Centre includes an information resource centre, providing information and advice on all aspects of later life and access to a wide range of services offering practical help in the home, support with money matters, support to socialise, specialist services and signposting to local activity groups and volunteering opportunities. A wide range of people, of all ages, use the Centre. On average 250+ people per month attend day-time activities, while an estimated 100+ per week use it for evening and weekend activities.

Mary Bradley, Chief Executive for Age UK West Cumbria, said; “We have provided equipment to aid daily living, both for sale and on prescription since 2010.  This has led to the development of the Centre for Independent Living, with an exhibition area where people can view, in a simulated home setting, the type of aids, equipment and Telecare available. We are also demonstrating how specialist aids and equipment can be used to improve the home environment for people with dementia. The centre will provide an opportunity for people to receive advice and support as part of the Dementia Environment Project, being piloted in Allerdale, to see what changes could be made to their home.”

Cumbria County Council together with the NHS and other partners have been involved in an exciting range of projects and initiatives designed to improve the lives of people with Dementia. As part of this work, as a pilot in Allerdale District, people will have the opportunity to receive advice, support and funding to make some improvements at home. A safe dementia-friendly environment has a large part to play in helping people living with dementia remain independent for as long as possible, with choice and control over their lives through all stages of the illness.