City of York Council is launching its new and improved Warden Call system next week with a series of information sessions for older people keen to find out more.

The council is harnessing the latest technology to enable elderly and vulnerable people to remain in their homes for longer after receiving more than £200,000 in government funding. The funding has allowed the council to drastically enhance its existing 'Warden Call' community alarm system.

Around 3,000 residents currently use Warden Call, which means that they have a large push-button phone and a pendant that they can press to summon help if and when they need it. As soon as the pendant or the large red button on the phone is pressed, contact is made with the wardens, who can provide assistance or summon help.

The new system relies on 'Telecare' technology to take this approach a step further by using electronic sensors to summon help, rather than relying on customers to raise the alarm themselves. Examples of how the system could work include:
- If a person with dementia becomes forgetful and leaves their gas turned on but unlit, a gas sensor can alert Warden Call to the problem. Alternatively, a mechanism can be installed to shut the gas off immediately until safety checks have been carried out.
- If someone who regularly falls wears a small electronic 'falls detector', an alarm call will automatically be generated when they do fall.
- An electronic medication dispenser has the ability to notify a relative or the warden if someone has not taken their tablets.
- A door exit sensor can detect when a vulnerable or confused person leaves their home, ensuring that timely support can be provided so that they don't become distressed, lost or injured.

Information sessions will be taking place at Alex Lyon House in St Aldred's Close between 2pm and 4pm on Monday 24 September and between 11am and 1pm on 28 September.

These will be informal drop-in sessions for older people and their carers to look at and discuss the new technology, including equipment that can support people who fall or have dementia, long-term conditions or illnesses that could cause them to end up in hospital. This is an opportunity for residents of York to find out more about how the new and improved Telecare-based Warden Call system will work.

Representatives of Age Concern will also attend the sessions to offer new slippers free of charge to replace any old, ill-fitting 'sloppy slippers' that could cause trips and falls.

Anyone unable to attend the information sessions can contact with the council's adult social services team on 01904 554141 to find out more and check whether they might be eligible for support.