TRAFFORD Council is providing a one-year free trial of alarm linked, equipment and monitoring/response services to all residents aged 80-plus.

It is delivering its Telecare Pledge Scheme thanks to a partnership with AgeUK, Trafford Housing Trust and LMCP Carelink.

With its partners, the council will be delivering Pledge launch days in Old Trafford, Umston and Altrincham during April and May.

The Telecare scheme provides 24-hour a day, 365 days a year monitoring through a variety of products and services.

Whether someone is at risk from falling, isolation, wandering away from home, hypothermia, bogus callers, forgetting to take their medication or keep their homes secure, there is a piece of Telecare equipment to support them. This not only protects their safety and wellbeing but also offers reassurance to their families.

Executive councillor Michael Young said Trafford’s Telecare scheme has proved extremely popular with people who want to remain living at home.

“The council is determined to continue providing flexible, innovative care solutions to support all those wanting to remain living independently to do so.

“This pledge will provide more people with the opportunity to experience the huge benefits of Telecare equipment for themselves. This further investment in adult social care is an important element of our continuing focus on providing personalised, quality care at a time and in a way local people need and deserve.”

Corporate director of communities and wellbeing, Deborah Brownlee, reinforced the importance of the Telecare pledge for vulnerable people. She said: “This pledge is the latest stage in the council’s two year Telecare project.

“It is encouraging to see so many people already benefiting from Telecare equipment and services within their home. However it’s important to us that anyone over 80, or their families, who think this free year trial may be of interest to them take time to find out more.”

Anyone who wants to find out more about the Telecare Pledge Scheme should contact Merry on 0161 912 4760 or e-mail leslee.merry@trafford.gov.uk.