Rothercare Direct

Rothercare Direct 24/7 Community Alarm Service

Rothercare Direct is an alarm service provided by Rotherham Council to help you live safely in your own home.  This service is available to anyone living in Rotherham - either in private, rented, or owner occupied accommodation, regardless of their age or personal circumstances, who feel they are vulnerable or have a disability.

Why have an alarm?

There are times when it can be worrying being alone. Your community alarm can be used from your home to call for help and advice 24 hours a day:

• If you have an accident or incident at home or have a fall
• Feel anxious or need help or advice with any problem
• Hear a sound during the night which worries you
• Suffer a medical emergency
• If you are a victim of harassment or anti-social behaviour
• Have been a victim of or are worried about bogus callers

These and many other situations can cause anxiety and distress not only for the person involved but also for their family and friends. The community alarm service is there to put your mind at rest knowing that you can access help at the touch of a button.

Currently we have over 8,000 service users linked to our individual alarm units. We offer a call monitoring service to Local Authority sheltered housing schemes, Housing Association properties and owner occupier properties.

How does it work?

When you become a Rothercare Direct customer we will ask you about your health needs and take the contact details of your relatives or friends and neighbours who are willing for us to record their details and to respond if called upon by the Rothercare Direct team. This information enables us to respond quickly to your call and to take the most appropriate action. Any information that you give to us is strictly confidential.

We will provide you with the latest telecare alarm available which is supplied with a pendant which you wear either around your neck or on a wrist strap if preferred. Just press the red button on the alarm unit or the red button on your pendant and you will be connected to a member of staff in our call centre via your alarm system. This alarm has a powerful microphone and a loud speaker which enables a member of staff to talk to you and act accordingly.

If staff cannot get a reply from you, they will send a Mobile Assistant to your home.

What Equipment do I need?

We will supply and fit all the alarm equipment you need. All you will need is a telephone line and a standard electrical socket close to the main telephone socket to enable us to install the alarm system.

How much does it cost? 

• The yearly charge is £144.04

How do I pay for the service?

• By cash or cheque at any civic office
• By posting a cheque to the address shown on your invoice
• By direct debit

Payment can be made annually or monthly.

For further information please contact Rothercare Direct:

Information about Telecare / Assistive Technology is available on the next page.

 Updated:  04/10/2011