Personal alarms, monitoring systems (telecare) and key safes
Technology and devices can help you stay safe and independent at home.
Personal alarms and monitoring systems can alert call centres or carers if you experience a problem, either at home or outside, such as a fall – you may hear this called telecare.
Personal alarms
Personal alarms allow you to get help if you have a problem or a fall at home, or if you wander off when out of the home.
They can be:
carried or worn, for example around your wrist or your neck
a button or pull cord in your home to use if you need help
Types of personal alarms include:
basic alarms, which make a loud noise to alert people nearby
alarms which send an alert to a family member’s pager or phone
monitored alarms, which alert a 24-hour monitoring service that something is wrong
fall detectors, which can be built into your personal alarm or be a separate device
GPS tracking alarms, which allow family and carers to know where you are
Buying a personal alarm
Basic alarms can be quite cheap to buy but you may need to pay more for a monitored alarm or a GPS tracking system.
Read the Which? guide to personal alarms, including what to think about before buying an alarm.
Monitoring systems
Monitoring systems can also help you to stay safe at home and alert someone if there’s a problem.
There are 2 main types of monitoring system:
systems that are connected to a monitoring centre
smart systems that send updates directly to family or carers – you may also hear this called mobile health
They can include sensors that detect:
movement
doors opening
room temperature
flooding
incontinence
smoke or gas
appliances that have been left on
They will then send alerts to family, carers or a monitoring service. Some systems can also adjust or turn off appliances if they detect a problem.
Systems can also include security features, such as an intercom that shows family who’s at your door and allows them to open doors for you.
You can change the system to include what you need.
Buying monitoring systems
You can get basic home security systems online or on the high street.
For systems connected to a monitoring service (telecare), contact the Telecare Services Association. You can search for providers and get advice on different products and services available.
Costs vary depending on your package. There’s usually an installation cost followed by a monthly charge.
Read the Which? guide to telecare.
Which? also has information on smart homes and gadgets.
Get help with costs of monitoring systems
Some councils provide monitoring services. They’re usually basic systems. Contact adult social services at your council and ask if they provide them. If they do, they’ll arrange a home assessment.
GOV.UK: apply for a community alarm