What is the Moray Lifeline Service?

• What is the Moray Lifeline Service?
• Who might benefit from the Service?
• How does it work?
• The Call Monitoring Centre
• What happens if I'm in hospital?
• Will I be charged for Moray Lifeline?
• How do I know the equipment is working properly?
• What if I don't live in a Moray Council property?
• I don't live alone. Is there any technology to help my carer who lives with me?
• How to access the Moray Lifeline Service

What is the Moray Lifeline Service?

The Moray Lifeline Service provides vulnerable people with round the clock monitoring and support and a way of summoning assistance in an emergency even when the telephone is out of reach. This means that more people are able to continue to live safely in their own home.

The service includes a basic alarm system as well as a range of Telecare sensors which are used to support people with more complex care needs.

The key benefits of the service are:

• Extra reassurance for people living on their own
• Immediate response in an emergency
• Support for carers
• Access to a range of sensors for enhanced safety if your situation changes

Back to top

Who might benefit from the Service?

You may benefit from the Service if you:

• Live alone or are regularly left alone
• Live with a person who could not cope in an emergency on their own
• Are at risk because of restricted mobility, ill-health or frailty
• Are at risk from domestic violence
• Live in an isolated location

The Moray Lifeline Service can be provided alongside any existing services you might have such as home care. To request this service please contact your local Community Care Team

Back to top

How does it work?

You will need a home telephone line for the Moray Lifeline Service to work.

Basic Alarm Unit and Personal Trigger:

The basic equipment installed in your home consists of a base unit about the size of a telephone and a small personal trigger button, which can be worn as a pendant around your neck, on your wrist or clipped to your clothing.

The base unit is connected to the telephone line and automatically dials the 24 hour control room in Aberdeen when the alarm is triggered by pushing the button on your personal trigger.

The personal trigger button will raise the alarm if pressed anywhere in the house. It is therefore important that it is worn at all times – even in the bath or shower.

Additional Telecare sensors:

In addition to the personal trigger alarm Telecare sensors could be installed in your home to meet your individual needs. These sensors wirelessly monitor a person’s safety and automatically trigger an alarm should a dangerous situation arise.

Some common Telecare sensors are:

• Falls detectors – If you have a fall the alarm will be raised without the need to press your trigger
• Movement detectors – will detect if you are not moving around and alert that there may be a problem
• Bed occupancy sensor – alerts if you have got out of bed but have not returned
• Wandering alert – will raise an alarm to a named person living close by if you have left the house
• Temperature detectors – which pick up variations in temperatures
• Flood detectors
• Smoke detectors

For more information and photos of the products please see our factsheet

Back to top

The Call Monitoring Centre

When an alarm is activated the Moray Lifeline base unit automatically links with the call monitoring centre in Aberdeen.

The trained operator is then able to speak to you through the loud speaker on the Lifeline base unit, to find out what type of help you need. They will summon help from volunteer keyholders and if necessary, the emergency services.

When you are assessed for the service you will be asked to nominate three volunteer keyholders such as relatives, friends or neighbours. The keyholders should ideally live close by and must be willing to be contacted in an emergency to come and help you.

If you are not able to identify three volunteers, your health or social work professional will discuss other options with you.

Back to top

What happens if I'm in hospital?

If you are in hospital and need a Lifeline Alarm or Telecare sensors to help you when you return home, the ward staff will be able to refer you for an assessment.

Back to top

Will I be charged for Moray Lifeline?

A modest charge for the Moray Lifeline Telecare Service is being introduced from 1st April, 2011.

The charge of £15 per quarter is not for the equipment itself, which is still provided free. The charge is made in respect of the 24 hour, seven days a week, alarm monitoring service currently provided by the Regional Communications Centre in Aberdeen.

The charge is a blanket charge and is therefore not means-tested. The £15.00 charge will be invoiced to you (or the bill payer if someone else) quarterly in arrears, in line with the council's set quarterly billing schedule. You can also opt to pay by Direct Debit and this will all be discussed with you at the time of taking up the service.

If you have any concerns about your ability to pay the charge, these should be raised with your Community Care Officer/Occupational Therapist.

Back to top

How do I know the equipment is working properly?

We ask you to test your Lifeline Alarm by pressing the pendant button once a month. If you have Telecare sensors, these will be checked during regular battery replacement visits from Moray Council staff.

Back to top

What if I don't live in a Moray Council property?

If you live in your own home or a non-council rented property, you may still be able to receive the Lifeline Service. If you live in sheltered housing with its own warden-call system, it may still be possible to provide you with Telecare if you need it, and we would negotiate with your housing provider to see what is possible.

Back to top

I don't live alone. Is there any technology to help my carer who lives with me?

It is possible to link telecare sensors to a pager or table-top alarm within the home, instead of to the Lifeline alarm. So if your carer needs to be alerted when you need assistance, for example when you get out of bed, or open a door, a sensor can be provided for this. These items are provided by the Occupational Therapy Service. An Occupational Therapist will visit to assess which items you need.

Back to top

How to access the Moray Lifeline Service

There are a number of levels to the service and it is important that you get the right solution for your particular needs.

You will therefore need to be assessed by a professional, such as a Community Care Officer.

If you feel you would benefit from any part of the service you, or someone on your behalf, can request an assessment for the service by contacting your local Community Care Team.

Back to top