Service users' views of a mainstream telecare product: the personal trigger

Telecare is a term that covers a range of products and services that use new technology to enable people to live with greater independence and safety in their own homes. This paper considers the need for design development of a mainstream telecare product called a personal trigger, which provides a means of summoning assistance when help is needed. It is provided as part of a community alarm service and should be worn at all times for continuous protection. The discussion is based on key findings from a survey of 1,324 service users in North East Scotland with a 60% response rate. Telecare technology is often unattractive because the emphasis is on producing a functional, rather than a desirable product. We argue that the telecare industry needs to consider the social and emotional aspects of design as well as function, even though many of today's service users find the current design acceptable. The survey findings can be incorporated into future product designs.