Personal alarms are designed to give elderly people (and their loved ones) the peace of mind of knowing that at any time they can contact emergency services for help, even if they don’t have direct access to a telephone.
The use of a personal alarm makes it possible for elderly people to live independently with confidence. If an emergency were to occur, they can quickly and easily alert emergency services and their loved ones with just the touch of a button!
Do personal alarms really work?
Yes! Especially if you invest in a personal alarm system that is connected to a reputable company. The likelihood that the personal alarm will work in the event of an emergency is very high. Most of the time personal alarms successfully notify emergency personnel and help will be on its way immediately.
But it’s important to keep in mind that with any electronic device there is a certain margin of error that must be accounted for. Some people have reported problems with using their personal alarm devices, but the general assessment is still that personal alarms are invaluable, essential tools for the elderly.
How do personal alarms for the elderly work?
Personal alarms work by sending a signal to a team of 24/7 help representatives who are directed to communicate with designated emergency contacts immediately should a user’s alarm be signaled. Thus, if an elderly individual presses the button on their personal alarm, the signal will first be sent to this 24/7 help team. Next, the team will be able to access the user’s information (such as location and emergency contacts like family members) and contact the appropriate emergency resources. Once the emergency resources have been contacted, it will be only minutes before help arrives.
This personal alarm system is valuable to elderly people because it makes it possible for them to get help only through the press of a button. If the individual has fallen, has a disability of some kind, or can’t call for help on a telephone, being able to simply press a button on a personal alarm and to know that help will come soon is a great relief and provides much peace of mind for most elderly individuals.
Top 5 Best Personal Alarms for the Elderly
1) Life Line 24
The Life Line 24 personal alarm system involves a pendant alarm that can be worn either as a necklace or as a bracelet. It’s a discreet and highly functional alarm that has been well received by many elderly individuals. It’s specifically designed to not interfere with any medical equipment on the user or in the home and/or surrounding areas. And, in addition to being a high quality system, Life Line 24 is also one of the most affordable personal alarm systems currently available to the elderly!
Life Line 24 has a few different pendant alarm options that it offers. For people who want a fall detector + personal alarm system, this is available through LIfe Line 24! Keep in mind, however, that not all of this company’s personal alarm pendants include a built in fall detector system.
2) Life Alert System
Life Alert has been around for many, many years and is one of the leaders in the personal alarm industry for good reason. This company continues to produce high quality, reliable products that have been life-saving to tens of thousands of people. Life Alert produces both pendant alarms as well as other alarm accessories to use in other parts of the house to enhance the elderly person’s ability to call for help in any given situation.
Elderly users can invest in either a pendant alarm or in the entire Life Alert system. Because the system is highly effective in emergencies when all the devices are used together and available to the elderly individual, it’s generally recommended to do the complete installation.
3) Telecare 24
Telecare 24 is another industry leader. This company produces a wide range of personal alarm systems and accessories that can help elderly people get help when it’s needed the most. Pendant alarms and smartwatch alarms are both available and are completely waterproof. A fall detector is built into one of Telecare 24’s pendant alarm models. Certain alarm plans can even detect epileptic seizures. The company also produces other alarm systems to help the elderly, including carbon monoxide, smoke, floods, and extreme temperatures.
Telecare 24 offers its users a few different plans, all with slightly different features and prices. The cost of the alarms themselves and the service included is average, and the support received during emergencies is spectacular!
4) One Call Alert
One Call Alert is an American personal alarm system that works nationwide. Highly affordable and extremely accessible, One Call Alert produces pendant alarms that are technologically advanced and that outshine a lot of the competition. This company offers products that have saved lives across the United States, and its products and services only keep growing and improving to meet the needs of its customers.
One Call Alert offers an entire personal alarm system as well as a fall detection pendant. The 24/7 support team responds to emergency alerts within seconds, and help is on its way almost immediately in the form of both emergency responders as well as family and loved ones.
5) MindMe Personal Alarms
The MindMe personal alarm is probably one of the most stylish (and effective) personal alarms currently available. The system includes a GPS locator feature that makes it possible for elderly users to call for help from anywhere, even if they’re outside of their home! This is also useful for individuals who have dementia or other memory related issues. Both pendant and smartwatch style alarms are available through MindMe. Unfortunately, no fall detector is available through this company since it specializes in GPS location tracking technology.
The MindMe personal alarm is extremely affordable and can be ordered online easily. Although the company is relatively new on the market, its clever use of technology and design make it a leader in the industry.
What is the best fall detection device?
It’s important to keep in mind that not all personal alarms include fall detection. Most modern personal alarms often have this feature, but it’s important to look closely at each alarm system to ensure that the system you’re interested in has fall detection. This feature can seem excessive for some younger elderly people, but it can be a life saving feature under certain circumstances, so it’s essential to invest in an alarm that has fall detection.
Three out of the five personal alarms in this article include the fall detection feature. When looking at fall detection on different alarm systems, consider the circumstances under which the alert is issued and how the fall system of each particular alarm system works. A call to customer service, careful reading, and examination of customer reviews can yield vital information that will help you make a decision on which fall detection device is best for you or your loved one.
Types of Personal Alarms:
There are two basic types of personal alarms:
● The pendant style alarm –
This style of alarm is the most popular. The pendant style alarm is generally worn around the neck as a kind of necklace, and is designed to be easily accessible to the wearer at any moment. Some pendant alarms can also be worn as bracelets. Fall detectors can also be made in a pendant style and are often combined with regular personal alarm capabilities and features.
● The smartwatch style alarm –
This alarm style is designed to be worn on the wrist as a “watch”. Again, the purpose of the watch is that it’s easy to access. An additional perk of the smartwatch style is that it’s relatively subtle and unobtrusive. However, not all companies offer this type of alarm. Some smartwatch style alarms have fall detector capabilities as well as personal alarms.
How to Choose the Best Personal Alarm:
Noise Level/Loudness
In addition to issuing an alarm to emergency services and the individuals listed in the emergency contacts list, when a personal alarm is activated it also makes a noise. Usually, it’s best to get a personal alarm that has a loud, clearly audible alarm so that if there’s help anywhere in the vicinity, the user is able to access the help as fast as possible.
Some personal alarm systems have a volume adjust system that allows the user to choose the volume of the noise emitted in the case of an emergency.
Features Included
Every personal alarm is a little bit different from the last. Although all are similar in terms of functionality, they vary slightly in the unique features they offer their users. For example, some personal alarms are waterproof! Having a waterproof alarm means it’s possible to wear it during bathing, which is a common time when elderly people could slip and fall or experience an emergency that would require help.
Other features to look for include:
● Longer contact list options
● Fall detection
● Display screen
● Speed dial button (different than the Help/Panic button)
● Non-movement alarm (issues an alert if the device hasn’t moved for an inordinate period of time)
● Speed alarm (issues an alert if the device begins moving very quickly)
● Always charged batteries (examine battery life carefully; most personal alarm batteries are rechargeable)
Affordability and Cost
On average, personal alarms for the elderly cost between $140 and $500. Not everyone can afford the more costly alarms, but not to worry. There are many more affordable personal alarms that are still highly functional and that will provide you and your loved ones with a sense of security! Just because a personal alarm costs more does not always mean that it’s better. In fact, there are some lower priced alarms that are just as effective, if not more effective than their costly counterparts.
It’s also important to take a look at the monthly cost of service. Most personal alarm systems have a series of one time fees (such as the initial cost of the pendant or smartwatch alarm itself), and then they also have a monthly fee that includes the cost of assistance from a support team should an emergency occur. This fee is variable depending on the service you choose.
Fall Detection Capabilities
Nowadays, the majority of personal alarms for the elderly are equipped with fall detection capabilities. When this feature is included, if the user falls the alarm will identify the fall and immediately send out an alert to emergency contacts and services. This is because falls can be detrimental for the elderly, and issuing an alert is essential to preserving their health and well-being. With fall detection, the user can rest easy knowing that they’ll get the help they need even if they aren’t able to push the Help button on their device after a fall.
Can Life Alert detect a fall?
No, Life Alert does not have a built-in fall detection system. If a Life Alert user falls and needs immediate emergency assistance, they still must press the Help/Alert button on the personal alarm. But, Life Alert does have a complete set of devices besides only the pendant alarm that make it more likely that the individual will be able to send out an alert in the event that they’ve fallen and can’t get up. For example, a specially designed waterproof button can be installed in the shower or bath in case of bathroom slips and falls.
Conclusion:
Personal alarms are all made a bit differently from each other. There are a wide variety of extra features to take into consideration, with the most important feature being the fall detector. But while every alarm is different, the primary goal of all is the same: provide a safe, simple, and fast way for elderly users to get help in an emergency situation. Doing research into the best personal alarm for you (or your loved one) is smart, since it’s best to choose something that will work for your specific situation.