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Care Technology Glossary of Terms

We have compiled a list of key terms used in the technology-enabled care sector. This resource will be continuously reviewed and updated. Please inform us if there are any terms you would like to see added to the glossary.

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  • A dedicated APN (Access Point Name) is a method of segregating data traffic on mobile networks. It allows an organisation's data traffic to be contained within a specific APN to isolate it from other data traffic on the mobile network, such as other users' Internet browsing. Telecare alarms that use mobile network connections often use a dedicated APN to ensure that their data traffic remains separate from that of other mobile network users.
  • Acoustic monitoring uses audio sensors to detect sounds indicating that someone may need assistance during the night. This alerts staff to respond rather than disturbing people unnecessarily with routine checks. This technology can also pick up audible tones from alarm-based sensors and link them to another system to initiate an alert, alarm, or response.
  • These are the routine, everyday activities that people tend to do without needing assistance. There are six basic ADLs: eating, bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring (walking), and continence.
  • This is the use of technology to collect data on an individual's activities and tasks. The technology may monitor the person directly and/or their interaction with objects in the home.
  • An activity tracker is an electronic device that helps monitor human activity, such as walking or running, sleep quality, or heart rate. It can be a smartwatch or other small device typically linked wirelessly to a smartphone or local hub.
  • AES is a data encryption standard implemented in software and hardware to encrypt sensitive data. It is essential for government computer security, cybersecurity and electronic data protection. The number after the AES refers to the length of the key used to protect the data, with higher numbers indicating a stronger level of encryption. AES-256 is widely used to protect data on computers and on the Internet. AES-128 is specified as the minimum level of encryption to be used within the TS 50134-9 (CENELEC) telecare protocol to secure telecare data when carried over a public network.
  • An alarm is a notification of an issue requiring immediate response for the most appropriate intervention in a timely manner. It could signal a potential emergency.
  • Synonymous with Telecare Monitoring Centre, the term refers to the building in which telecare alarm calls are answered.
  • An alert notification lets someone know that something of interest has occurred. It is not normally as serious as an alarm. It may be for information only or require further investigation to establish the cause.
  • This is a technology-enabled approach to extending the time people can live independently, either in their homes or in their communities, by increasing their autonomy and self-confidence. The technology, often working in the background, supports individuals in performing everyday activities, monitors their safety, and provides care and support when required.
  • Used to connect analogue telephone equipment to a digital network so the user can make calls over the Internet. The ATA acts as an intermediary between the telephone and a VoIP server, digitising voice data so that it can be transmitted over the Internet.
  • This refers to the conversion of analogue signals into digital signals, like converting sound into a series of numbers representing its strength. Digital signals are more suitable for transmission over digital communication networks and are less likely to be affected by noise and errors. More generally, it can also refer to the transition from analogue to digital technologies and platforms, such as the digital transformation of telecare alarm hubs and monitoring platforms.
  • A mobile operating system developed by Google and designed primarily for touchscreen mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. It is also used as the base operating system for many smart TV’s (Android TV) and wearables (Wear OS).
  • A self-contained program or piece of software designed to fulfil a particular purpose; an application, especially as downloaded by a user to a mobile device such as a smartphone or tablet computer.
  • A set of functions and procedures that allow the creation of software applications that access the features or data of an operating system, application, or other service. In TEC applications, they are often used to share data and events between different platforms.
  • Artificial intelligence is intelligence demonstrated by machines. AI applications include advanced web search engines (e.g. Google), recommendation systems (used by YouTube, Amazon and Netflix), understanding human speech (such as Siri and Alexa), self-driving cars (e.g. Tesla), and automated decision-making. A large language model (LLM) is a type of artificial intelligence (AI) program that can recognise and generate text, among other tasks. Examples include Chat-GPT and Gemini, which are chatbot services built using LLMs. One of the most successful areas of applied AI is machine learning, based on statistical modelling techniques.
  • The processing of understanding wants, needs, and risks and of identifying potential solutions to ensure that support choices are appropriate to the individual being assessed, their circumstances and what is important to them.
  • Assistive technology is any product or service that maintains or improves the ability of individuals, especially those with disabilities or impairments, to communicate, learn and live independent, fulfilling, and productive lives.
  • This is a type of broadband communications technology that allows fast data transfer using a standard landline telephone connection. The asymmetric part refers to the fact that people can download data from the Internet faster than they can upload it.
  • Augmented reality (AR) integrates digital information with the user's environment in real-time. Unlike virtual reality (VR), which creates a totally artificial environment, AR users experience a real-world environment with generated perceptual information overlaid on top of it.