Home telecare

Technology can be used to help the care of people at home in many ways and home health care is one of the fastest growing areas of health-care provision. Home-based technology has two main facets: passive monitoring and active measurement. Technical solutions must be acceptable to both the health-care staff and the assisted person, and should supplement not replace human carers. Other important aspects of technical solutions are: simplicity of operation and management, availability, reliability and affordability. The introduction of a home telecare system always requires changes in organization, since it is not enough simply to transmit data. The data must be received and interpreted, and advice for care must be provided. The most important aspects of home telecare are: organization and training; improving the quality of care; improving the quality of life; economy; and technology.