Helsinki to install new safety phones for more secured, faster updates

Helsinki is replacing the phones of its safety phone clients with the view to provide the clients with a more secure service connection and faster updates, said the City of Helsinki in a press release on Tuesday.

The service is intended for city residents who have an increased risk of falling or want to feel safer at home.

The service has about 5,500 clients in Helsinki.

The new safety phones will be installed for all new clients. The devices of existing clients will also be replaced. So far, about one-fifth of the clients have the new phones.

“The new devices operate in a 4G network, ensuring a more reliable connection. We can also, for example, implement daylight saving time and client-specific updates to the phones remotely at the correct time without needing to visit the client,” said Anne-Maria Siitonen, Service Manager at Palvelukeskus Helsinki’s Care Services.

Palvelukeskus Helsinki is responsible for the City of Helsinki’s safety telephone service. The new device’s installation time is agreed upon with the client, relative or care provider.

“For the client, the new device works as before and has the same familiar features. The service includes a central unit and a bracelet with a button which can be pressed for a telephone connection to a health care professional provided by the safety telephone service around the clock,” said Siitonen.

The safety telephone service receives about 300 alarms daily. The new device also enables the nurse to call the client’s safety phone, for example when an alarm from the client is suddenly cut and there is a need to confirm if the emergency is real.

“Until now, we have used a normal phone to call the client’s mobile phone. If the client has not heard the phone ringing or has no mobile phone, we have alerted our staff to check the situation on-site. We have false alarms every day, so being able to confirm the emergency is a significant improvement. It ensures that our staff are better available for home visits where they are most needed,” Siitonen added.

Palvelukeskus Helsinki has provided the City of Helsinki’s safety telephone service for over 10 years.

The service provides security to the clients living at home and their families and loved ones. The safety telephone service is a home care support service available through Helsinki’s home care, the rehabilitation and assessment unit, or Senior Info.