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Telly-Care

Simply Digital’s approach is to view the health and wellness of an individual as a whole, and in the context of the community in which they live. Any service must be able to accommodate both the needs of the able, but worried well, to those with more specific Long Term Care (LTC) requirements. The introduction in early years of remote support and prevention solutions increases the acceptance and benefits to all in latter years. By looking through the lens of the individual and how they wish to be treated and engaged with, the divide between provider and beneficiary can be bridged to offer better care, at lower cost and enable people to stay in their own homes for longer

Simply Digital’s vision of telly-care in the home will directly tackle these challenges through its innovative use of digital media communications to television sets and mobiles. Building trust and winning acceptance of the technology being provided in the home as non-threatening or invasive is essential. Through this approach to care, a rich learning environment can be created for real lifestyle and change behaviour for fundamental improvements to living well that can be cost effectively repeated and sustained.

This approach is echoed by organisations such as Age UK, who have very clear points of view on the challenges faced moving from technology solutions to the provision of remote (tele) care in the home to full social engagement and holistic support that incorporates technology in a sympathetic manner to aid independence, freedom and chances of a higher quality of life.

“Users do not want to be stigmatised and therefore anything that identifies them as in need of special equipment, assistance or help, just doesn’t appeal and doesn’t get used. There is also a part of this which comes down to the user not wanting anything which is likely to take the place of human contact, an incredibly important part of their life and often under rated.  Isolation and loneliness are a huge problem for older people, leading to depression and other related co-morbidities”. 

Age UK ©2011