London Borough of Croydon

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Social services - community alarm services

What is the Croydon Careline service?

The Croydon Careline service provides a home safety and personal security system, which helps people to live independently within their own homes.  It is a 24 hour, 365 days a year service, linked to a central monitoring centre through state of the art technology in your home.

The benefits of Croydon Careline...

  • Speed of response - our highly skilled operators respond to your call and take appropriate action to get the help you need, when you need it.
  • Personal service - friendly and respectful staff.
  • We won’t leave you - the operator will stay on the line until the appropriate help arrives.
  • Complete reassurance - 24 hour link to our call centre.
  • Emergency Lifting Service - we carry equipment to help you get up following a fall.
  • Peace of mind - a feeling of greater security and reduced feelings of isolation.

How does the service work?

We will provide you with a basic package of a Careline unit and Careline button which can be worn as a necklace or wrist strap.  When you press the button, it automatically dials the Croydon Careline control centre via your telephone line, and your personal details will appear on our computers.

You will then talk to a trained operator, which you will be able to do from anywhere in your home, and without using your phone handset.  You will let us know what assistance you need and our caring and professional staff will take appropriate action.

What is Telecare?

Telecare solutions are usually a form of sensor and offer a comprehensive way to manage risk in the home, enabling people to maintain a greater level of independence with increased peace of mind.

We can recommend a range of unobtrusive telecare sensors that can be simply programmed to your Careline unit.  These can offer you a comprehensive way to manage the risks to your health or home environment, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
The range of solutions now available include:

  • Smoke and flood detectors.
  • Detectors that monitor for dangerous levels of carbon monoxide.
  • Extreme temperature sensors that warn of potential hazardous situations.
  • Systems that detect gas leaks and turn the gas off automatically.
  • Systems that reduce the risk of falls by switching on lights as people get out of bed and raising an alarm if they do not return within a preset time.
  • Systems that can automatically page a carer or friend up to 500 metres away to instantly alert them of a potential risk situation within the home.
  • Property exit systems which reduce the risk of individuals leaving their home at inappropriate times of the day or night.

Who is it for?

Anyone can have a Careline whether for reasons of home safety or personal security.  We aim to respond to the needs of all local people, including older people, people with a disability, and victims of harassment, domestic violence and bogus callers. Or maybe you have an illness such as HIV, Parkinson’s disease, or cancer for example.  A Careline gives an added sense of security to everyone who feels vulnerable.

Costs

There is a modest charge to cover the cost of monitoring, responding to calls for help, maintaining the system, and rental. An initial installation charge to cover the visit to your home and administration costs will apply.

However, if you already receive adult social care services or wish to be assessed for services you may be able to receive help towards these costs.  Please contact Social Services for Adults to arrange an assessment (see also Needs assessment for adults and Charging policy).

How do I join or get more information?

For further information and to arrange a demonstration, without obligation, please contact the Croydon Careline Response Team.

However, if you would like to see and try these and many more independent living solutions, please visit the AccessAbility Centre.  The AccessAbility Centre is open to the public on Mondays and Tuesdays from 10am to 3pm.

Please note, some demonstrations are only available by appointment, please phone first, to avoid disappointment.

Contact Details

Contact name
Access Ability Centre
Telephone
020 8664 8860
Address
28 Boulogne Road,
Croydon CR0 2QT
Contact name
Croydon Careline Response Team
Telephone
020 8654 7166 (24 hr)
Email
careline@croydon.gov.uk
Contact name
Social services for adults
Telephone
020 8726 6500
Minicom
020 8760 5797
Email
Referral.team2@croydon.gov.uk
Address
Taberner House
Park Lane
Croydon CR9 3JS

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