Systems may be mains or battery operated and either connected by a wire or wireless. Some only allow one-way communication, others are two-way, allowing full conversation. Some have a handset which must be used when speaking through the system, others have a hands-free facility. This may allow the unit to transmit messages once speech is sensed. If no speech is sensed, the unit remains on receive mode. Your personal motivations, perspective and preferences and your involvement in planning the introduction of equipment or changes to existing equipment. Do you understand what the telecare is supposed to do and the options available? Have you agreed that you would like to try the equipment/service?

Yes, up to eight alarms can be set at the exact times you require. This means you can set them at regular intervals e.g. every two hours, or you can set them for specific alerts throughout the day. Is There a Maximum Countdown Time? Medicine dispensers and applicators are designed to assist a user to take or apply medicines. This includes devices to assist with using an inhaler or dispensing eye drops. I am a huge fan of the simple 7-day pill organizers. I suggest reloading them on Sunday evenings and getting your pills straight for the following week. Take it one week at a time, and keep your pill organizer in the same location in your home, in a spot you see every day." —Alaina Ross, RN with 10 years of experience as a PACU nurseOrganizers that come with limited sections and force you to mix multiple pills together can undermine the purpose of a pillbox. The most helpful organizers allow you to dissect and separate your medication based on time, day, and week. Some people have difficulty remembering the day of the week and the time of day, i.e. seven in the morning or seven in the evening, especially in the summer months when there are more daylight hours. Also, confusion can arise in the winter months when the evenings draw in early – it can be dark at 5pm, but it is not bedtime.

The countdown timer can be set to count down from a maximum of 23 hours and 59 minutes. This allows you to set countdowns for daily medication or even medication that needs to be taken at various points throughout the day. Versatile Design Gas alarms can also be linked to telecare alarm systems. These may be appropriate for individuals who live on their own and may not remember what the gas alarm is for if it goes off. Opening the door to strangers can be risky. A door viewer, a chain or intercom (see below) can provide a way of identifying the caller before the door is opened fully. Memory prompt sensor devices that give a recorded warning could be triggered as you approach the door from inside. For example, it could automatically remind you: 'Put your safety chain on before you open your door to a caller'. That technological solutions may be installed without fully involving or obtaining the informed consent of the individual/s involved. This can be particularly relevant when the equipment is used to support individuals with conditions such as dementia.Before considering high-tech equipment to prompt, warn or trigger alarms, consider simple solutions that may remove risk. Some hazards cannot be anticipated, for example the light bulb blowing when you are walking upstairs. Others are more apparent and it is therefore possible to reduce risk or get rid of the hazard completely. So, for example: