If the growing population of older people are to be effectively supported in their own homes, new ways of delivering care must be found. In addition, individual users of health and social services need greater empowerment and autonomy. These imperatives provide opportunities for the creative use of information and communication technology. One telecare approach that can be used to maintain or improve the quality of life for older people is the provision of health and social care information in electronic form.This paper identifies and discusses issues that contribute to the information agenda for older people. It describes the background to the present UK health strategy, most significantly the shift from institutional based care towards care at home, with the associated change of priorities within health and social care agencies. It suggests that different methods of information delivery are needed to meet the requirements of older people, and directs information providers towards the use of paper-based media and digital TV, as well as Web-based resources. It highlights the importance of user interface design and argues for an approach whereby interface design is changed when necessary, according to the results of user evaluation. Information content needs to be appropriate and managed; verification and validity of content are ensured by a continuous iterative review system.

In this article, the authors provide an overview of the pan-European Assisting Carers using Telematics Interventions to meet Older persons' Needs (ACTION) project. They focus on the developmental aspects of the ACTION project and discuss ongoing work and future development plans.

There is a continual need to support and assist carers who play a central role in providing informal care for a relative. This approach to care provision must have a strong foundation based on liaison between the family carers, professional carers and the older or disabled person who is the focus of care. Services that enable effective communication using videoconferencing, interactive communication, tailored Web based programs and other specific resources configured for the needs of the individual can help carers carry out their role effectively. The initiative described in this paper uses a combination of telematic focused interventions to meet the needs of carers and provides an in-depth overview of the ACTION telecare project. The ACTION (Assisting Carers using Telematic Interventions to meet Older persons’ Needs) project was set up and funded because of the need to develop supportive methods for carers and older people. The initiative was designed to improve autonomy and maintain independence and quality of life for people in their own homes and therefore reduce the need for institutional care. This has an economic as well as a social dimension. The project has demonstrated that with the involvement of users at all levels it can fulfil this need. The role of the ACTION project was to develop a cost-effective telecare system for the provision of education, information and support and has been demonstrated with successful results.

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The growing population of older people need effective support in their own homes, including the provision of information that is relevant and accurate. Building on the findings of a previous three-year research study (ACTION), CarePlus has developed an on-line information service to meet the identified requirements of this client group in local community settings. CarePlus is a quality assured system that contains bespoke information about local health and social care services at four pilot sites in the Trent region. It also provides a gateway to other on-line information sources. The study evaluates the information needs and preferences of older people and carers. It also charts the process of setting up an effective infrastructure for the collection, preparation and publication of local information. Provisional findings suggest that initial perceived barriers to electronic information delivery are overcome when users access a comprehensive collection of local, relevant and up-to-date information. The CarePlus system provides an effective method of co-ordinating the delivery of locally focused and centrally managed information. The project has identified the need for agreed standards for maintaining currency and authentication of web-based materials relating to health and social care.