SOS for Seniors

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About the city. A pilot social care program launched in Lublin. The city supplies and provides a service with a GPS tracking device offering help via a 24/7 Telecare Centre. The project covers 400 seniors and dependent persons.

Goal

The project’s main aim is to improve the quality of life of the elderly through the provision of services using modern information and communication technologies that will enable dependants to remain in the natural environment as safe as possible.

Implementation period. Applications for the program began in 2019.

Fact

The project solves the problem of continuous monitoring of the health status of seniors. Older people are often lonely, which in the case of a significant deterioration of health may come to a situation in which they will not be able to seek help.

Solutions

The initiative is a part of the “Lublin Zone 60+”, which is being implemented in Lublin.

The cost of supplying 400 persons with wristbands and providing a monitoring system (settled through a tender) equals PLN 190,000. The European Union finances the purchase under the Regional Operational Programme of the Lubelskie Voivodeship for 2014-2020.

Each wristband has an individual, unique number and is equipped with:

buttons for direct connection to the Telecare Center and receiving incoming calls
heart rate meter
fall sensor
sensor of putting the band on/off
GPS tracker (covers the area of Lublin)
measurement of the battery charging level.

How does Tele-Care System work?

Presentation of the operation of the TeleCare System to the senior person and training them in the operation of the device.
Connecting the wristband to the TeleCare System.
24-hour communication with the TeleCare Centre.
Monitoring of indicators measured by the headband, recording of emergency signals.
Each participant receives a wristband equipped with an SOS (Alarm) button and a SIM card with a voice connection from the TeleCare Center. The parts of the wristband that come into contact with the skin are anti-allergic and have adjustable strap length. The wristband is used to immediately call for help in the event of a threat to life, health or safety.
The device connects to the TeleCare Centre staff, who provide appropriate assistance to the situation and opportunities.

Every citizen who needs help can apply and receive a wristband. It is managed through the official website of the Lublin city.

Challenges

Applications for SOS for the senior program began on July, 24 by August, 7 in 2019. Applications could be submitted to the team of support centres in Lublin. Despite a great interest in this form of support for senior citizens, the whole thing went through.

521 applications were made but only 400 people were eligible for the wristband.

The selection committee selected the participants according to the accepted criteria. A reserve list is also set up.