Technology Enabled Care
How can Technology Enabled Care (TEC) help me?
TEC covers a wide range of monitored and unmonitored devices and equipment designed to support you with daily activities. TEC is designed to help people who need a bit more support in their lives. This could include elderly people or people living with a physical or mental disability.
TEC gives you and your loved one’s reassurance and peace of mind that you can reach help whenever you need it.
Watch these short videos to see how TEC has helped others.
Types of TEC available
- Pendant alarms
- Falls alarms
- Medication reminders
- Fire and smoke alarms linked to our monitoring centre
- GPS and SOS buttons to call for help if you are out in the community
- Movement sensors and lights that come on at night
- Phone Apps
- Off the shelf TEC such as ALEXA and ECHO
AskSARA – Advice and support to help with daily living
By answering a few questions, AskSARA will provide personalised advice about equipment for health, assistive technology and daily living ideas. This service is free and there is no sign-up required.
How do pendant alarms work?
Most TEC equipment does not need a landline. It connects to a monitoring centre using a sim card and mobile networks.
All alarm units work on mains electricity and have a battery backup. If the mains power stops working the battery will automatically start working. This means help will still be available in the event of a power cut.
When the alarm is activated, either manually or via an automatic device, you will be connected to the specialist call centre. They will establish what kind of help you need before taking appropriate action. This could include contacting the responder service or agreed contact person. They will then visit and check that the individual is alright. If necessary, the adviser will contact the emergency services.
Arranging TEC
If you think TEC can help, you can arrange your own private TEC. There are many companies and charities that can help you.
TEC providers/useful resources
- Reading Services Guide list of community alarm services and telecare
- Age UK
- TEC Services Association (TSA): search for a Technology Enabled Care provider by postcode or find suitable telecare and/or telehealth services
- Oxford University Hospitals Specialist Disability Service: to enable people with complex needs to access TEC and environmental controls – contact: 0186 522 7447 or specialist.disabilityservice@nhs.net
- AbilityNet: volunteers can help you with your computer, tablet or smartphone
- Carers UK: information on where to find technology
- National Multiple Sclerosis Society: technology that can keep you connected with family and friends, and help you manage your MS, keep track of your health, handle everyday tasks and even maintain a job
- Parkinson’s UK: apps and devices can help with the daily management of Parkinson’s
- Alzheimer’s Society: help and advice on assistive technology for those living with, or supporting someone with, dementia
- Scope: Smart Home technology to make daily life easier for people with disabilities
- Remap: equipment to help people living with disabilities to live more independently
- Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB)
- Lifeline Housing Solutions booklet
- Lifeline 24: gold standard monitoring service to a TSA accredited response team, making sure you are always safe at home
- Suresafe: 24/7 access to support in the event of a fall or any incident which may threaten a person’s safety
- Carelink: fall detector that can automatically tell when a person has had a fall with no need to press any buttons
- Living Made Easy: impartial information about products and services to help with mobility and independence. It hosts information on over 10,000 products with direct links to around 1,000 suppliers. Many of these products can be bought online.
If you are unable to arrange TEC for yourself, you may be eligible for funding from the council. To arrange an assessment please contact Adult Social Care and ask for an assessment. A trained person will carry out an assessment to see if you are eligible for support.
You can refer yourself using our assessment referral form or by calling Reading Adult Social Care on 0118 937 3747.
Who provides Reading Borough Council TEC
Reading Borough Council TEC is provided by The Berkshire Community Equipment Service (BCES), provided by NRS Healthcare. NRS Healthcare are responsible for correctly installing, maintaining and servicing all TEC equipment.
12 week pendant alarm package
We are piloting a 12 week free pendant alarm package, for those individuals who are not eligible for funded TEC from the council but would like to trial a falls and pendant alarm free of charge for 12 weeks. This offer includes a TEC Trusted Assessment and installation of prescribed TEC.
If you would like to speak to someone about this, please contact Adult Social Care on 0118 9373747 or email TEC@reading.gov.uk
Need to return or report an issue with your council pendant alarm?
Contact NRS Healthcare directly on 0344 893 6960 (Monday to Friday 8.30am – 6pm) and they will arrange for the equipment to be collected.
If the TEC is no longer meeting your needs, please contact Reading Adult Social Services on 0118 937 3747 and speak to one of our advisers.
Last updated on 03/11/2025
Technology Enabled Care