How much does Telecare cost?

Telecare Service Providers may offer a range of service options and apply a range of service costs.

Some examples include:

• Monitoring of the carephone or community alarm only
• Monitoring of the carephone or community alarm and telecare sensors only
• Monitoring of the carephone or community alarm, telecare sensors and emergency mobile response
• Monitoring of the carephone or community alarm, telecare sensors, routine and emergency mobile response

Service Providers may provide advice to consumers on how they can best pay for the Telecare service:

• Welfare benefits advice
• VAT exemption advice
• Referral to Social Services for a financial assessment

Service Providers may provide a range of payment options:

• Monthly by Direct Debit
• Annual payment
• Other

Service Providers may offer additional services such as:

• Key holding
• Key boxes for which there may be an additional charge.

Agreeing to a Telecare Service

Telecare Service Providers will explain clearly to you:

• how the equipment works and what level of response you should expect to receive depending on the service option you choose.
• The terms of the contract that you will have to sign to accept the service
• The requirement to test the equipment on a regular basis
• The requirement for all calls from your carephone or community alarm to be voice-recorded and for such tapes to be kept for 12 months.

Consumers and careers are advised to contact their local Service Provider for a full personal assessment and subsequent quotation see Find a Service section.