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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 small portable touchscreen computer that can run apps. It will usually have Wi-Fi connectivity and sometimes its own mobile connectivity if it accepts a SIM.
  • The TSA, the TEC (previously telecare) Services Association, is a trade organisation that supports service and equipment providers in improving their quality of provision.
  • Technology-enabled care services refer to the use of telecare, telehealth, telemedicine, telecoaching, and self-care to provide convenient, accessible, and cost-effective care for patients with long-term conditions.
  • The use of technology to provide care and support functions to people.
  • A telephone (or broadband) service provider, such as BT, TalkTalk, Sky, or Virgin Media. See also CSP.
  • Telecare is support and assistance provided at a distance using information and communication technology. It enables the continuous, automatic, and remote monitoring of users by means of sensors to enable them to continue to live safely and securely in their homes and communities by managing risks associated with real-time emergencies and lifestyle changes over time.
  • See Monitoring Centre.
  • A range of support methods (often delivered online and/or by telephone) that allows clinicians to remotely support and empower patients in managing their health and care.
  • Telehealth is the remote exchange of data, advice and messages between a patient in the community and their clinician(s) to assist in the long-term management of chronic disease and the early identification of exacerbations.
  • The remote diagnosis and treatment of patients using medical information, including scans or video, transmitted over potentially long distances usually between two or more clinicians.
  • The European digital telecare protocol for use with dispersed alarm units. Also known by the name of the standards group that developed it, Cenelec.
  • This is a proprietary analogue alarm protocol from Tunstall. It is limited in scope compared with TT92 and TT21. Some products from other manufacturers can support this protocol.
  • This is a proprietary analogue alarm protocol from Tunstall. It is limited in scope compared with TT New, TT92 and TT21.
  • This is Tunstall's proprietary analogue alarm protocol, the most recent version.
  • This is a commonly used proprietary analogue alarm protocol from Tunstall.
  • Two-factor authentication (2FA), sometimes called two-step verification or dual-factor authentication, is a security process in which users provide two different authentication factors to verify themselves. 2FA is implemented to better protect both a user's credentials and the resources the user can access.