Independent Living Scheme (ILS) accommodation offer a range of services and facilities. Each scheme is different, but many will offer:
- Communal areas (such as gardens or a lounge) where residents can get together to socialise
- Social activities or entertainment, such as coffee mornings, crafts, bingo, bridge or quiz evenings
- Guest rooms are also available at a small cost for family and friends so they can stay over
- Communal laundry (washers and dryers)
Emergency alarms
All Sheltered ILS properties have a Lifeline and some Semi-sheltered properties also have them, they connect to a Control Centre with trained operators to support tenants 365 days a year for 24 hours a day.
Lifeline365
Lifeline365 is a Telecare Service Provider that covers the whole of Kent. The service is based at Folkestone & Hythe District Council and has been running for over 30 years. It offers the following services for a fee:
- Lifeline365 Alarm Service - As soon as the Lifeline unit or pendant is pressed a call is made to the Control Centre within seconds. The friendly operators talk via the Lifeline unit/pendant, so there is no need to pick up the phone, they will listen and assess the situation and respond appropriately
- Footprint GPS Tracker - Footprint works in a similar way to the Lifeline unit or pendant but offers much greater coverage, operating beyond the home and garden, working anywhere where there's a UK or European mobile phone signal
- Blue Wristband Service - A discreet identification tag worn around the wrist. If an individual has an accident, becomes ill or disorientated when they are out then emergency services can use the information on the wristband to contact Shepway Lifeline and obtain crucial medical and personal information to enable them to respond quickly, appropriately and accurately