As we get older, loss of balance and changes in mobility make falls a more common concern. However, this doesn’t mean older adults can’t live independently at home. A fall alarm offers individuals and their loved ones peace of mind, ensuring help is called and delivered as quickly as possible after an alert has been sounded.
There are plenty of fall alarm watches available, no matter whether your loved one is mobile or housebound. Today, we’ll explore a range of the best alarms to consider, from smartwatches with automatic fall detection to simple call buttons.
What Is a Fall Alarm Watch?
A fall alarm watch, also known as a personal alarm watch or panic alarm, is a pendant or watch worn on the body that helps an older person call for help as soon as they need it. This could be after a fall, a medical emergency, or if they get lost outside and can’t find their way home.
Personal alarms often feature a large, clear panic button that can be pressed at any time, day or night, to connect with a care team or family member who can offer assistance. Certain alarms will also alert emergency services.
A personal alarm watch is designed to help older people remain living independently and safely at home, giving them and their loved ones peace of mind through fall detection, GPS tracking, and other helpful services.
To learn more, read our helpful guide on how to monitor elderly parents remotely.
Best Personal Alarm Options for Older Adults
It can be daunting to try to find the best personal alarm online, as there are so many options to choose from. We’ve narrowed it down to the top five, each offering slightly different features to help you find exactly what you want and need from your personal alarm.
1. SureSafeGO 4 Personal Alarm
The SureSafeGO 4 is a personal alarm with GPS tracking, designed to provide protection both at home and on the go. It combines fall detection, two-way communication and location tracking, making it a great option for active older adults who want reassurance wherever they are.
Pros
- GPS tracking: Allows carers, loved ones and emergency services to locate the user quickly in an emergency
- Automatic fall detection: Sends alerts without needing to press a button
- Water-resistant design: Suitable for use in the shower or outdoors, so your loved one doesn’t have to remember to take it off and put it back on
Cons
- Monthly subscription required: You’ll need to pay monthly to make sure the monitoring services continue working
- Needs charging: Requires regular charging to stay active, which can easily be forgotten about
Who is this alarm best for?
The SureSafeGO 4 is perfect for active older adults who spend plenty of time outside the home and want added GPS tracking reassurance. It’s also good for families who want peace of mind from automatic sensors.
2. Telecare24 Digital Fall Alarm
The Telecare24 Digital Fall Alarm offers 24/7 monitored support, automatic fall detection and a simple in-home base unit. It’s designed to provide reliable protection within your loved one’s home without a bulky personal alarm pendant.
Pros
- 24/7 monitoring: This alarm comes with a direct connection to a professional response team, ensuring calls will always be answered
- Automatic fall detection: Alerts are raised even if the user cannot respond
- Simple setup: Easy to install with minimal technical knowledge, so you can get your loved one connected and protected within minutes
Cons
- Limited range: Primarily designed for use at home, so falls may not be detected outside of the home.
- False alarms possible: Past users have reported that fall detection has occasionally triggered incorrectly
Who is this alarm best for?
The Telecare24 Digital Fall Alarm is best suited for individuals who spend most of their time at home and want continuous, professionally monitored support for added peace of mind.
3. Companion Watch
The Companion Watch is a discreet personal alarm that looks exactly like a watch, so your loved one can wear it every day without others noticing. It offers fall detection, emergency alerts and communication features, and connects to an app so you can see where the watch is at all times.
Pros
- Discreet design: This personal alarm looks like a standard watch, reducing stigma surrounding fall detection devices
- Easy to use: The simple interface features a one-touch emergency button
- Wearable comfort: Lightweight and suitable for daily use, just like a regular watch
Cons
- Smaller interface: Due to the compact size, this watch may be harder to use for people with visual impairments or dexterity issues
- Limited advanced features: Fewer functions than some other GPS tracking devices
Who is this alarm best for?
The Companion Watch is great for people who want a subtle, wearable safety device without the look or feel of a traditional personal alarm.
4. Careline Essential Plus Personal Alarm
The Careline Essential Plus is a traditional home-based personal alarm system that provides 24/7 monitoring and fall detection via a base unit and a small wearable device. Your loved one can wear it as a pendant or a wristband for ultimate comfort and choice.
Pros
- Reliable home coverage: Users have reported that this alarm has a strong signal range throughout the home, so it’s suitable for large and small homes
- 24/7 monitoring team: Immediate access to trained responders in UK-based monitoring centres
- Simple and familiar design: Easy for users to understand and operate, thanks to the one SOS button usability
Cons
- Home use only: While the broad range is good, this alarm does not provide protection outside the house
- Requires a landline or connection: Your loved one may need an existing home setup to use this alarm, or you’ll need to install one
Who is this alarm best for?
This Careline personal alarm watch is best for older adults who primarily stay indoors and want to remain safe at home with a simple, professionally monitored alarm system they can depend on.
5. Taking Care Anywhere Alarm
The Taking Care Anywhere personal alarm watch is a GPS-enabled fall-detection device that offers nationwide coverage, allowing users to call for help wherever they are. The emergency alarm connects to a 24/7 monitoring team for immediate assistance.
Pros
- Nationwide coverage: This personal alarm pendant works both at home and outdoors across the UK, offering peace of mind no matter where your loved one is
- 24/7 response team: Immediate support at the press of a button, connecting individuals to emergency services and friendly support services
- Lightweight and portable: The personal alarm pendant is easy to carry around or wear daily with minimal interruptions
Cons
- Subscription cost: You’ll need to pay the required monthly subscription fee to keep the services running
- Battery maintenance: The pendant will need to be charged regularly to keep it dependable and effective
Who is this alarm best for?
The Taking Care Anywhere personal alarm pendant is best suited for older adults who value their independence and want reliable support wherever they go outside the house.
What to Look For When Buying a Personal Alarm for Older Adults?
Choosing the right personal alarm can make a real difference to your loved one’s safety, confidence and independence. When choosing the best option for them, it’s important to focus on features that suit their lifestyle and care needs.
Things to consider when choosing a new personal alarm service include:
- Ease of use: Simple buttons and clear instructions on a personal alarm are essential, especially for those with limited mobility or cognitive decline
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- 24/7 monitoring: Look for a watch that has access to UK-based monitoring centres and a response team ensures help is always available when needed
- 24/7 monitoring: Look for a watch that has access to UK-based monitoring centres and a response team ensures help is always available when needed
- Emergency contacts: Some alarms will call emergency services, while others can be preprogrammed to alert family members or trusted loved ones instead
- Fall detection: Automatic alerts should be triggered if a fall is detected, even if your loved one is unable to press the button
- GPS tracking: If your loved one enjoys spending lots of time outside, a personal alarm service with GPS tracking allows carers to locate them quickly in an emergency
- Range of coverage: Make sure you know whether the personal alarm works only at home, or also when out and about
- Battery life and charging: Look for devices with long battery life or simple charging methods to avoid interruptions in fall detection and other services
- Comfort and design: Wearable options such as pendants or watches should feel comfortable for everyday use
- Water resistance: This feature is important if your loved one would prefer to wear their personal alarm watch in the shower or bathroom, where slips are more likely
- Installation and setup: Some systems are plug-and-play, while others may require professional installation
- Monthly costs: Consider ongoing subscription fees for monitoring services and whether they fit your budget
Talk to Our Team Today
As the UK’s longest-serving introductory live-in care agency, we have been providing compassionate live-in care to those who need it since 1959 – all from the comfort of their own homes. Give us a call today on 01293 224 706. Our experienced team is on hand to help from Monday to Friday, 9 am to 6 pm. Alternatively, contact us through our online enquiry form.
