A cold home is not only unpleasant, but it can also be dangerous. In particular, for a vulnerable person, living in a cold home increases the risk of catching an illness, having a heart attack, becoming sick with the flu, becoming depressed or even falling.
Fortunately, we rely on our innovative Tec2Care sensor to help identify people at risk of fuel poverty so that appropriate measures can be put in place. Read on to learn more about our Tec2Care sensor and how we can help make sure everyone stays warm.
Living in a cold home
A cold home is not necessarily an outcome of extreme winter weather. Even outdoor temperatures dropping to below 6°C can spark the need for heating. Unfortunately, for people with care needs, who are more likely to be housebound, cold weather conditions can increase their exposure to an underheated home – especially with the rising cost of heating it.
Who is most at risk?
Those over the age of 65 are more at risk of being harmed by a cold home. Other risk factors include having a pre-existing condition like heart disease, dealing with mental issues, or having a disability that makes it difficult to move around and keep warm. People with low income or debt are also more likely to experience fuel poverty.
How can care monitoring help you?
We understand that the thought of monitoring the elderly at home may sound intrusive. But that’s not what our care monitoring service is about. There are no cameras, microphones or motion sensors involved. Rather, we build an overall picture of someone’s habits using data points such as the humidity, temperature and atmospheric changes inside the home. By learning a person’s typical activity levels and habits, we can tell when someone out of the ordinary happens and respond appropriately.
Promoting safety in the home
In addition to looking after a person’s wellbeing, our Tec2Care sensor is also designed to promote safety within the home. It does this by raising an alarm if there’s extreme heat, identifying conditions that may cause mould or damp and detecting the risk of fuel poverty, by monitoring the temperature in the home. Over the past few months, there’s been a sharp increase in energy costs which has deterred people from heating their homes. That said, we know that when visitors are expected, people will often turn their heating on. Thanks to home monitoring, our sensor can detect if a person is spending the majority of their time in a cold home so that steps can be taken. If needed, help can then be put in place.
The benefits of home monitoring
Home monitoring is here to keep your loved one safe, even when you can’t be there. It helps support independent living by giving people the confidence to continue living at home. In addition, because it’s small and inconspicuous, it helps preserve dignity while offering protection. Family members can enjoy peace of mind knowing that help is just an alert away.
Get in touch
Could you or a loved one benefit from our nifty Tec2Care sensor and our care monitoring services? We are here for you. Please get in touch or give us a call on 0115 758 8719 to learn more. Our friendly staff would be happy to answer any of your questions or provide more information on how it works.
