[Geriatric telecare, a new model of assistance: a pilot study]

Aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the feasibility and explore the patients' acceptance of the -telecare model. The objective of this trial was to investigate the effects of a telecare system on elderly management at home. In a 24-months prospective study we enrolled all patients aged >65 years at risk of disability. During the two years of observation, each patient contact the TELECARE system. Telephone contact was followed by specific intervention and administration of a questionnaire evaluation. Over the 24 months we recorded 90,000 calls and 13,000 elderly were included in the telecare project. We analyzed the calls and the measures adopted. Our findings provide evidence of improved quality of life through clinical management at home from a telecare system. The use of this system had high adherence and was feasible for elderly patients and their family.