Everyday TEC: Changing the way we talk about Technology Enabled Care 

By Alyson Scurfield, Chief Executive of TSA, the national advisory body for Technology Enabled Care  

When I speak to local authorities about Technology Enabled Care (TEC), one of the issues that often comes up is awareness, or lack of it.  

Front line workers struggle to explain care technology and its benefits to the people, families and unpaid carers who need it most. And senior managers, commissioners and Directors of Adult Social Services (DASSs) often lack confidence around TEC, namely what is available and how it improves lives.  

This understanding issue can block a council’s ability to drive adoption of tech solutions amongst people drawing on care and support in their area.   

Research into what people want from TEC 

Last year we commissioned social policy researcher Dr Sarah Alden to dig into this challenge. As part of a study exploring what people want from Technology Enabled Care, where she examined over 100 perspectives and conducted 42 interviews with people and families, Sarah Alden found a lack of common understanding about TEC. People were confused about what it was, they didn’t know how it could help them and, if they did try to seek out help, they were overwhelmed by the options. 

Sarah highlighted that people and their relatives didn’t use acronyms or technical terminology to describe devices. Instead, they talked about how tech supported their lives. Phrases like ‘providing support when I go out’ or ‘living well in my home’ were repeatedly used, rather than ‘GPS tracking device’ or ‘lifestyle monitoring system’. 

Need for a common TEC language 

The need for a common, simple TEC language to help people navigate the options really came to the fore in this research. A family carer explained: “I have heard about pendants, but I don’t know about anything else… there is so much of it, it’s hard to know where to start.” Another said, “I could do with a technology expert… to…talk me through what is best…someone who sits down and listens.” 

One reason for this confusion is a focus on equipment, not people. Messaging and imagery in the TEC sector often focus on sensors, alarms and systems rather than the difference these technologies make to the everyday lives of the 2 million people it supports.  

Yet we know from research by Sarah Alden, Social Care Future and other organisations, that it’s the impact care and support has on individuals that has the greatest resonance. 

That’s why we have created the Everyday TEC campaign. TSA collaborated with a behavioural strategy consultant, an animator and a designer to develop resources that communicate how TEC supports people to do the things they love in the places they call home. 

This creative team did a deep dive into existing research and materials, working with people who have lived experience, TSA member organisations and others in the care, housing and health sectors. 

A change in narrative is needed 

Research results indicated the need for change in how we describe TEC and communicate its benefits. Feedback showed we need to be more person centred, not technology centred. We should be more positive, talking about enjoying life, not just using services. And we need to focus on how TEC can integrate with other consumer technologies, like smart phones and voice assistants, rather than being specialist or standalone.  

From this, we built a core description for TEC: ‘The everyday help we need to enjoy the lives we want’, along with three core messages: TEC keeps people: In Control, In Touch, Safe And Well. 

Bank of free resources 

A range of free-to-use, downloadable creative resources have also been designed, including a video, poster, roll-banner, social media cards and short clips, all telling the story of three characters: Keith, Nahira and Nathan who use TEC every day to do the things they enjoy and live the lives they want. 

To encourage the use of an easy-to-understand, common vocabulary across the sector, the team has written a language guide with wording centred on how TEC enables us to lead fulfilling lives, with the people we love, in communities where we look out for one another. 

The Everyday TEC resources can be used by any local authority in their communications activity, all without asking permission. We want to encourage everyone working in social care, from physios to falls prevention leads, social workers to registered managers – along with council comms teams – to use these resources to raise awareness of TEC. 

Ultimately, this is about changing the narrative around technology enabled care and showing how our sector supports people to thrive, not just survive. We want to demonstrate how care technology improves people’s wellbeing, confidence and independence – as well as their health and safety – offering families and unpaid carers reassurance and peace of mind. I really hope you can use these free resources. 

#EverydayTEC