Telecare and Telehealth – what is the difference?

Both telecare and telehealth are about helping people to manage their own health and wellbeing while maintaining their independence.

What is Telecare?

• It is a service for vulnerable people with physical disabilities, learning disabilities or other frailties, who need the support of social care or health, to keep them independent in their own homes

• Telecare uses a mix of alarms, sensors and other equipment to monitor individuals and make sure they are safe. For example, sensors can raise a call for help in an emergency such as falls, fires or floods

• It is designed to support carers and people living alone. For example, a bed sensor can raise an alarm if someone gets out of bed and does not return, and it can be combined with an automatic light sensor to turn the lights on when an individual gets out of bed so they can see where they are going

• Telecare can give carers respite and peace of mind

What is telehealth?

• It is a way of caring for people with long term health conditions, helping them to improve their quality of life, prevent avoidable hospital admissions and reduce the frequency of visits to GP surgeries

• Telehealth uses equipment to monitor people’s health in their own home for example; personal monitors for blood pressure, weight or blood oxygen levels

• Readings are automatically transmitted via a phone line to a clinician who can analyse the patient’s condition

• Abnormal readings are picked up and appropriate action is taken.

Details of equipment can be found on the Telecare Services Association (TSA) website.