Telecommunications and disabled people: a rural perspective

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Health Services Research
• Rural Health

Background:

• The National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990 emphasizes community care.
• Maintaining independence for elderly and disabled populations in rural areas presents unique challenges.
• Telecommunication services offer potential solutions for supporting independent living.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of various telecommunication support models for elderly and disabled individuals in rural Britain.
• To identify the most suitable model for sustaining lifestyle and independence.
• To discuss the merits of a low-cost voluntary care support model.

Main Methods:

• A survey was conducted in the North Cotswolds.
• Four telecommunication support models were evaluated: telephone trees, community alarm systems, community teleservice centres (CTCs), and on-line computer systems.
• Client needs and community settings were considered in the evaluation.

Main Results:

• The study evaluated four distinct telecommunication support models.
• Findings from the North Cotswolds survey informed the evaluation.
• The effectiveness of each model was assessed in the context of rural settings.

Conclusions:

• A low-cost voluntary care support model, a variant of CTCs, shows promise.
• This model appears well-suited to client needs and community settings.
• Telecommunication services are crucial for supporting independent living in rural areas.