Understand teleassistance: definition and stakes

30 July 2025

Teleassistance represents a significant advancement in the field of safety for vulnerable individuals, particularly seniors and people with disabilities. This service allows for reporting a fall or discomfort if needed and accessing appropriate assistance quickly. Thanks to a simple pendant or a watch, users can alert an assistance center reachable 24 hours a day. The stakes associated with teleassistance are numerous, particularly the prevention of risks related to isolation and the preservation of the autonomy of elderly individuals, while providing them with the peace of mind necessary to live safely at home.

Teleassistance is an innovative service designed to ensure the safety and well-being of individuals, especially seniors or people with disabilities. It aims to allow them to live at home independently while ensuring a quick reaction in case of emergency. This service relies on a set of technological devices that facilitate communication between the user and an assistance platform reachable at any time.

The operation of teleassistance is simple. It often consists of a pendant or a bracelet that the user wears constantly. In case of need, it is enough to press a button to get in touch with an assistance agent. The agent immediately assesses the situation, and depending on the level of urgency, he/she makes the necessary decisions, such as notifying a relative or triggering emergency services.

One of the major challenges of teleassistance is to prevent risks related to isolation, such as falls, fainting, or other health problems. Indeed, these incidents can occur at any time, and the speed of intervention is crucial to ensuring the safety of users. Thanks to this device, people can maintain their independence, knowing that help is accessible quickly if needed.

The installation of a teleassistance system at home requires the establishment of a bidirectional communication system. This generally involves installing a micro-speaker to facilitate dialogue between the user and the operator, thus ensuring clear and effective exchanges when the situation requires.

Technological advancements have also enabled the integration of additional features into teleassistance devices. Motion sensors and fall detection can now be incorporated, allowing alerts to be sent automatically even if the user is unconscious or unable to press their pendant. This significantly enhances the level of safety for users.

To benefit from teleassistance, it is necessary to subscribe to a subscription with a specialized organization. Depending on the personal situation and health status of the user, financial aids may be available, for example, through the Personalized Autonomy Allowance (APA). To obtain information on the procedures, it is advisable to contact local information points dedicated to elderly individuals or the town hall.

It is also essential to raise awareness among users, their relatives, and healthcare professionals about the importance of teleassistance. By informing seniors about these devices, they are encouraged to adopt solutions that can improve their daily lives and reduce fears related to loneliness or a potential loss of autonomy.

Finally, teleassistance represents a booming sector in the silver economy, a field focused on the well-being of seniors. The increase in the elderly population and the challenges of staying at home have led to constant innovations in the sector, promoting the development of ever more efficient devices tailored to the needs of users. Thanks to this, living at home while feeling secure becomes an accessible reality.

What is teleassistance? Teleassistance is a service that ensures the safety of vulnerable individuals, such as seniors, by allowing them to live at home independently. It involves a communication device that enables alerting an assistance center 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in case of an incident.

How does the teleassistance system work? In case of need, the user can press a pendant or a watch specifically designed to trigger an alert. This immediately connects the user with an operator who will assess the situation and take appropriate measures.

What types of situations can be reported via teleassistance? Teleassistance allows for reporting various incidents such as falls, fainting, or other emergency situations, thus reducing risks related to isolation.

Who can benefit from the teleassistance service? This service is primarily intended for elderly individuals and people with disabilities, but it can also be useful for anyone wishing to ensure their safety at home.

What are the characteristics of the teleassistance device? The device generally includes a micro-speaker system for remote communication and a pendant or a watch that the user must wear at all times.

Is it necessary to install specific equipment at home? Yes, to benefit from teleassistance, it is necessary to install specific equipment at home, including a micro-speaker system.

How is the assessment of the situation conducted? When a user triggers an alert, a professional immediately calls them to assess the situation, and they have access to information about the user, including a list of people to notify.

What are the costs associated with teleassistance? Access to teleassistance generally requires subscribing to a subscription with a specialized organization, the costs of which may vary depending on the services offered.

Where can I find information about teleassistance services? For more information, it is advisable to contact a local information point dedicated to elderly individuals or their town hall to find out which organizations offer this service in their area.