There are already more than 145,000 people and their families who trust the Red Cross telecare services, which, in addition to providing care and activating responses when an emergency occurs, offer emotional support, accompaniment and concern for people.
The telecare constituted the first Red Cross innovation milestonewhich became pioneer when starting to work with it in the 90s. The devices came from the Nordic countries and quickly penetrated into Spanish society. At the moment, more than 145,000 people and their families are users of its telecare services.
As pointed out by the Red Cross, the telecare provides peace of mind (both for whoever uses it and for their family or personal environment) knowing that you are connected and attended by a team of professionals; security (24 hours, 365 days); immediate response (by quickly mobilizing the necessary resources); constant protection (both inside and outside the home); independence (to stay in the home and habitual environment): and saving (by contributing to reduce the economic and personal costs that occur in the face of life’s unforeseen events).
There are already more than 145,000 people and their families who trust the Red Cross telecare services
Depending on the group to which it is directed, as well as its most urgent needs, we can resort to a telecare modality or other. Currently, the Red Cross provides this type of service:
- Self-care and prevention (Take care+)
For him health monitoring (control of tension, adherence to medication, reminder of medical appointments…) and the promotion of physical and emotional well-being. It includes a system that analyzes the model of life according to the daily routines (time in the room, in the bathroom, away from home…), proactively detecting dangerous situations that may occur at home.
- Locating (LoPe)
A service for encourage autonomy, since it provides security to the person who wears it, but also gives peace of mind to family members and caregivers. With an application that is installed on a watch (smartwatch) or mobile phone, the service allows visualize at all times the location and the route traveled. Entry alarms can also be configured in danger or speed areas (in case of getting into a car, bus…).
- telecare at home
Its about classic home service. It consists of a terminal and push button that connects the person, from any room in the house, with the Red Cross staff. The button can be worn hanging or on the wrist, even in the shower since it is waterproof. In addition, in some towns, key custody services and a mobile unit are offered as an added value that allow access to the home in the event of a fall, emergency… speeding up care and minimizing possible damage. As an extra, it is possible to hire security sensors, which detect dangerous situations (falls, smoke, gas…).
- mobile telecare (Independence)
The service is provided, either in a smart watch either mobile phone provided by the Red Cross, or through an application that is installed on the personal mobile (smartphone). If necessary, just press the button, and the user connects with professionals who notify family members and mobilize emergency services, by having your personal and health data. This mode includes a accessible version for people who are blind or visually impaired, people who are deaf or have difficulties with hearing or speaking, and people with reduced mobility.
Red Cross mobile telecare is provided, either on a smartwatch or mobile phone
But, beyond technology, the basis of the telecare offered by the Red Cross lies in the people behind this service who, in addition to providing care and activating responses when an emergency occurs, also They offer emotional support, accompaniment and concern for people.
As highlighted Tania Oriole, service coordinator in the Community of Madrid, “the fundamental added value of the Red Cross, and for what I think we have managed to be leaders in the private market and that people want to be with us, is everything else that complements the service itself; having a medal, a watch, a mobile phone or any device that you press and have someone attend you behind is something that we can all offer but, the human quality of the team behind it, the closeness, the rest of the answers that we can complement, the accompaniments, the follow-up agendas, outdoor activities and other interventions is what in the end makes us different and what enriches our telecare service”.
Latest technology to promote social and humanitarian action
Red Cross telecare services are a bet for humanitarian technology in favor of the most vulnerable people. In this sense, the Red Cross is aware that the emerging technologies favor social and humanitarian action And because of that develops humanitarian technology initiatives that allow to improve the living conditions of the people they serve,
Since the pioneering introduction of the home telecare (1989) until latest technological solutions that improve the therapeutic adherence of the elderly, that make the stay in the hospital of boys and girls more bearable through Augmented Reality projects (EntamAR)Besides the Alexa Red Cross skill (through which you can obtain advice for stress management, the prevention of the spread of COVID-19 or make donations quickly and safely) or the real-time availability of data from the Red Cross intervention, As the Open Data of the Red Cross Plan RESPONSES against COVID-19.