Tunstall Launches Communicall Vision 2, the Next-Generation Solution for Supported Housing

Tunstall, the leading provider of personal and home reassurance telecare solutions, has released Communicall Vision 2, its advanced communication solution for use in supported housing and extra care applications. New security features and management options have been added, to reflect the evolving needs of both residents and scheme managers.

A Home Office report into the impact of burglary on older people living in sheltered housing emphasised the importance of offering security to vulnerable people in the community. The study reported that older victims of burglary declined in health faster, and two years after the burglary, were 2.4 times more likely to have died or be in residential care, than non-victims of a similar age.

Tunstall’s Communicall Vision 2 proactively addresses this issue, by offering a new intruder feature to protect residents from potential burglars and give the user valuable reassurance and vital contact with their scheme manager, carer or response centre in the event that they have cause for concern.

Communicall Vision 2 addresses many of the issues raised by the Disability Discrimination Act. A text-based pager can be provided to residents with hearing impairments so that they can be made aware, for example, when the main fire alarm is activated even if they are in communal areas of the scheme. Additional alerts include door entry calls and telecare sensors, with each pager providing a personalised set of messages for each user.

As part of the comprehensive spending review announced by the Chancellor, the government has pledged an additional £60m in funding for extra care facilities, providing valuable extra resources. The investment in solutions such as Communicall Vision 2 will ensure a high level of care and support is delivered to those that need it in extra care schemes and supported housing.

Telecare Overlay is also an important feature available for Communicall Vision 2, designed to enable people to live independently for longer, minimising risk through the use of intelligent telecare sensors, detectors and triggers strategically located in the home. Using the dedicated Social Alarm frequency, Communicall Vision 2 is able to unobtrusively monitor wandering and bed occupancy as well as environmental issues such as flooding or gas leaks, whilst also providing an effective security solution.

Communicall Vision 2 incorporates a host of new features to reflect the changing needs of both housing providers and their residents. All speech modules now utilise a new test mode that allows managers to dramatically reduce the time taken to test pull cords and wired devices, so freeing up valuable time to devote to other important frontline services. The speech modules can also be easily and economically upgraded to add new features later such as door entry or intruder systems.

Adrian Scaife, product manager, of Tunstall said: "Communicall Vision 2 continues to offer the highest levels of system reliability and integrity while being easy to use by both residents and scheme managers. It’s a highly flexible solution, designed to meet both current and future needs."

The Communicall Vision 2 system is modular and can be designed to fit the specific requirements of users. A suite of packages caters for different needs, enabling people with limited mobility, visual or hearing impairments to live independently for longer, with the support and reassurance they need.

For further information about Tunstall’s solutions visit www.tunstallgroup.com