HELPING YOU STAY INDEPENDENT
Ipswich HEARS is a community alarm service aimed primarily for elderly people, disabled people and indeed anyone in the Ipswich area who wishes to stay in their own home but who may need help to maintain their independence.
ALWAYS THERE FOR YOU!
Ipswich HEARS is provided by Ipswich Borough Council and managed by the Community Safety Team from the Emergency Services Centre, operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day!
The idea is that if a subscriber has a fall, becomes ill or has any other difficult situation that they may need help with, they can simply press their alarm at any time and the HEARS service will help.
HOW WE CAN HELP
If you are an Ipswich resident and feel that you may benefit from this service, we can help you with the following:
- If you fall, feel ill or have an accident.
- If you need help with an injured partner.
- If you need advice about burst pipes, power cuts or other household emergencies that you cannot cope with due to your condition.
- If you want to remain independent at home.
- If you are recovering from an operation.
- If your family/friends who take care of you are away.
HOW HEARS WORKS
- When you become a HEARS customer, you have equipment connected to the telephone line in your home.
- When you need help you don't have to worry about picking up the telephone or dialling a number. Simply press a button on your alarm unit or the lightweight neck (or wrist) pendant and it will alert our staff for you. Vital information about you is then displayed on their computer (each alarm has a unique number) and they will then help you. They will give advice and if necessary contact your relatives, friends, other emergency services or send our first-aid trained Responders to your home.
- If you fall you do not need to try and struggle up or get to the door as the HEARS service can keep a copy of your key so Responders can get in quickly in an emergency.
DESIGNED WITH YOUR NEEDS IN MIND
You can wear your alarm in bed, in the bath or shower and at any other time within your own property as they are lightweight, discreet and easy to see if you have poor eyesight. If you wear your alarm whilst bathing, please do not immerse it entirely in water. The alarm will not work if you leave your property (i.e. go to the shops).
CHARGES
You can choose which level of HEARS service you would like from the options below:
Both options also have a:-
One off initial cost for installation of equipment and pendant which is £44.85 (plus VAT*)
OPTION 1
24 Hour Monitoring and Responding
We will listen for your call and if you have an emergency, send a member of staff out to help you if necessary.
£17.10 (Plus VAT*) per month.
OPTION 2
24 Hour monitoring
You tell us beforehand who to contact in an emergency and we call them if you need help or the emergency services. Staff do not attend in an emergency.
£15.00 (Plus VAT*) per month.
*You do not have to pay VAT if you are registered disabled or are chronically sick. This will be discussed with you upon signing your agreement. Further details are available when joining the scheme.
If you would like further information or you wish to join the scheme, please:-
Telephone: 01473 433236
Or write to us at: Ipswich HEARS, Grafton House, 15-17 Russell Road, Ipswich, IP1 2DE
Or email: hears.enquiries@ipswich.gov.uk