Survey shows telecare information could be improved

Information about telecare and assistive technology can be limited and hard to find on the region’s council websites according to the results of a survey commissioned by the JIP.

Telecare lead workers, communication officers, representatives from third sector organisations and social housing, were asked questions about the quality of information available and how easy it is to find.

Responses reveal:

• 49% of local authority websites do not have a dedicated page for telecare products or assistive technology
• 10% of respondents questioned found it easy to find telecare pages on the sites while 41% found it  difficult or failed to locate information
• 31% found a great deal of information on telecare was hidden behind traditional services such as homecare, residential services and day care.

Asked about what they would like to see on the website, respondents said they would want:

• pictures and diagrams of products (92%)
• information downloads including ‘how to’ guides (90%)
• information on where to buy products (95%)
• views of people who have bought a product (92%)
• product and reader reviews to download (95%)

The survey builds on a workshop run with telecare leads from the region, and was planned to identify gaps and barriers to providing information about telecare services and products. Findings will contribute to development of a new telecare information website for the region.

Contact: Nathan Downing, JIP Telecare Lead, mobile: 07970 567332, email:nathan@ndiconsulting.co.uk