Lifeline and Telecare
What is the Lifeline Service?
Lifeline gives you the freedom to live independently.
You have the security of knowing you can always get help if you need it.
If you suffer a fall you can press a button on a small pendant which which will alert people that you need help.
Darlington Lifeline provides a local service which means you can call for help 24 hours a day.
The Lifeline Service consists of a Lifeline unit (which is a small box) plus a personal pendant and pull cord.
If fitted in your home, it gives you support 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, if needed.
Pressing the pendant or pulling the cord makes a call to the control room.
They will make sure you are okay and offer support.
They speak to you through the speaker on the Lifeline unit box.
Download the Lifeline leaflet[pdf document]
What is Telecare?
Telecare is a range of simple, light, easy to use pieces of equipment for use within the home.
Telecare supports people to be as independent as possible.
Examples of Telecare equipment includes:
- fall detectors
- bed sensors
- chair sensors
- movement detectors
- smoke alarms
- epileptic sensors
To have Telecare equipment you first need to have a Lifeline unit.
This links the telecare equipment to the Town Hall control room.
What is the difference between Lifeline and Telecare?
Telecare equipment triggers automatically.
You do not have to press anything. The equipment detects a problem and makes the call to the control room.
They ensure an appropriate response is made by:
- family
- friends
- carers
- emergency services
- one of our team of mobile response officers
What is the cost of Telecare?
The cost of Telecare is £2.00 per sensor.
This does not apply to Extra Care Schemes.
The Lifeline service is needed to run any Telecare equipment. This currently costs £7.92 per week.
This covers a rental of the equipment and monitoring of the service.
For more information or to discuss the referral process contact the Lifeline team on 01325 406888.
In 2023/24, the DBC Lifeline Service currently supports 3,451 people in a range of settings which include:
- 802 people living in DBC sheltered and good neighbour accommodation across 14 separate housing schemes.
- 106 live within one of the 3 DBC Extra Care schemes.
- 774 live in DBC properties that are part of a housing complex, there are 11 schemes like this.
- 1250 live within their own homes.
- 213 people have been referred to our service by Adult Social Services; and
- 300+ live in other types of setting.