How to buy the best personal alarm

Personal alarms allow you to call for assistance if you have an accident or a fall at home. They are simple to use and can help you to feel safer, and to remain independent for longer. These potentially lifesaving devices can also offer peace of mind to family and friends.

There are a wide variety of personal alarms available with slightly different ways of keeping you safe. Some are connected to 24/7 emergency response centres while others simply let out a loud noise to alert people nearby. 

Here we explain the different types of personal alarms, how much you should expect to pay, some of the key brands offering personal alarms and more.

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Types of personal alarms

Basic alarm

Basic alarms work by sounding a loud noise when a button is pressed on the device – it alerts people within hearing distance that you need assistance. 

This could be a relative, carer or even a neighbour. 

Although the system is basic, it can help you move around your home independently knowing that someone will be on hand if you need it. 

Pros

• Affordable. 
• No setup fees or monthly subscription.
• Ready to use straightaway. 

Cons

• Only people within hearing distance of the alarm can help.
• No contact centre support. 

Pendant alarm

Pendant alarms connect the elderly and vulnerable with an emergency response centre should they need help or assistance.

By simply pressing a button on the pendant, watch or device, an alert is sent to an emergency response centre via the base unit in your home.

The centre provides 24-hour monitoring and will respond to anything from falls and accidents to rogue callers.

When you contact staff, they'll decide if you need emergency services or if they need to call one of your chosen, trusted contacts.

Several companies offer the service, which requires a monthly or annual payment and often an initial setup fee.

The monthly fee depends on the type of service, for example, if you need a larger alert range you can expect to pay more.

Some pendant alarms let you speak directly through the device while others require you to use the base unit.

Pros

• A range of subscriptions and options to fit your needs. 
• 24/7 emergency cover.
• Some models allow direct contact through the device.

Cons

• Some of the most vulnerable may not be able to afford the service.
• May require one-off setup fee.

Fall detectors

The chance of suffering a fall increases with age, as does the potential for more serious injuries. This type of alarm gives you reassurance that if you do fall, help will be available as quickly as possible. 

A fall alarm is very similar to a pendant alarm, the key difference being that it works automatically.

It uses an in-built motion sensor to detect any unexpected fall or downward motion and then sends an alert to a call centre or a loved one. Some models allow you to talk directly to the call centre via a two-way speaker either on a device or base unit.

Fall detectors are paid for as part of a monthly subscription and require an installation fee to get things up and running. Many providers offer models that combine a fall alarm and pendant-type alarm in a single device.

Pros 

• Devices work automatically.
• 24/7 emergency cover.

Cons

• Service can be costly. 
• May require an additional one-off setup fee.

Lifeline alarms

Local authorities and councils operate community alarm systems for their older or disabled residents, sometimes called a lifeline alarm service. 

There is a charge for using the service, but this may be subsidised or free for those assessed as having eligible needs.

Those that sign up receive a base unit and pendant and generally won't be charged for installation through the council.

Pros

• Service provided through the local council. 
• Some councils offer free installation and system check-ups. 

Cons

• Can involve monthly/annual subscription.

GPS tracking

GPS tracking alarms mean the location of elderly or vulnerable individuals can be pinpointed whenever they are away from home. 

Whereas some pendant alarms are limited in their range, GPS tracking alarms have no location restrictions so can be used anywhere. 

Most GPS trackers also come with a panic or SOS button so users can get help from a 24-hour monitoring team who will alert family members or emergency services. 

Some GPS trackers allow for users to talk to staff members at a contact centre. GPS tracking services require an initial setup fee and a monthly subscription. 

Pros

• Individuals can be located wherever they are in the world.
• GPS trackers also come with a panic or SOS function.

Cons 

• Service relies on paying a monthly/annual subscription.

Find out how you could benefit from a 24-hour monitoring service in our telecare guide 

How much does a personal alarm cost?

Basic alarm 

You can buy a basic personal alarm that releases a loud noise to let people around you know you are in distress for £5-£20.

You won't need to pay any on-going fees for a basic alarm.

Pendant alarms

Pendant alarms that provide 24-hour assistance typically require an initial setup fee followed by a monthly/yearly subscription. 

There are several companies that provide this type of service with setup fees starting at about £35. Monthly fees start at around £12 or £120 if you choose to pay annually.   

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Fall detectors

Fall detectors with a 24-hour monitoring service also require a setup fee starting at around £35. Monthly fees are around £16 a month or £190 a year.

It’s worth checking whether your local authority offers a lifeline alarm service, as some provide the service for around £14 a month without installation fees.

GPS tracking alarms

A GPS tracking alarm is the most expensive option. The cheapest GPS trackers start at around £135 a year with a £40 setup fee.

If your device runs low on power you may need to pay for new batteries – though many systems use long-life batteries, which last between two and five years.

Will I have to pay VAT?

Telecare and personal alarms for older people are eligible for VAT relief in the UK if the person using the equipment is disabled or has a long-term illness and any of the following three statements apply: 

• you have a physical or mental impairment that affects your ability to carry out everyday activities
• you have a condition such as diabetes or arthritis that’s treated as chronic sickness
• you are terminally ill.

You don’t qualify if you’re able-bodied or are temporarily disabled.

Find more about VAT reductions and exemptions for disabled people and people aged 60 or over on gov.uk. 

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Can I get a free personal alarm?

Unfortunately personal alarms are not provided for free, but many councils offer lifeline and pendant alarms at more manageable prices. 

Also, because you rent the equipment from the council, installation is normally free and they will come and fix it if you face any problems.

To see if your local council provides a lifeline alarm service you can enter your postcode on the gov.uk website. 

What should I look for in a personal alarm?

Personal alarms are available from many organisations, including local authorities and charities such as Age UK (provided by Taking Care), and the options available are vast.

To help you choose the best type for you, think about what type of equipment and level of service you require, as there’s no point paying for more than you need. Here are some of the key things to consider:

• Subscription fee If you opt for an alarm that’s linked to a monitoring service, you’ll usually need to pay an ongoing subscription fee, in addition to any setup charge. This fee may be charged on a yearly or monthly basis and there may be an additional cost if you want extra services, such as a fall detector.
• Range Check the distance range if you plan to wear it in the garden; also check your ability to hear the response centre.
• Batteries Ask how long the batteries will last for; how will you know if they’re running low and whose responsibility is it to replace them? What happens in the event of a power cut?
• Emergency numbers How many can you have? 
• Mobile phone alarms If you don’t have a landline, there are options for alarms that operate from a SIM card.
• Is it waterproof? If you choose a wearable device, you’ll probably want to wear it in the bathroom.
• Security You might need a keysafe (a lockable box outside your home with a spare door key inside) so that authorised people can get into your home if the alarm is sounded. You can buy these separately or from the company providing the personal alarm. We strongly recommend that you buy a police-approved keysafe.
• False alarms If you're concerned about accidentally calling for help, find out how easy it is to cancel a false alarm.

Learn how you could get help with your mobility by reading our guides on stairlifts and rollators

How long does a personal alarm go off for?

If you're using a basic alarm that releases a loud noise, it will sound for as long as you press the button or until the battery runs out. 

Some basic alarms come fitted with a pin that sounds when it's removed from the device, it will then continue to make a noise until the pin is reinserted.

Alternatively pendant alarms that are connected to a 24-hour monitoring centre should be answered almost immediately.

Looking to buy a new bed that will help with your mobility? Read our guide on how to choose the best adjustable bed 

How do personal alarms work?

Pendant alarms

Pendant alarms generally work in two parts. The first is the base unit or hub and the second part is the pendant, which can also be a wrist strap or attached to clothing. 

The base unit is connected to a power socket and the telephone line. It comes fitted with a speaker and microphone to allow communication with the 24-hour emergency contact staff. 

When you press the button on the pendant, it automatically contacts the 24-hour emergency centre. When the staff member answers, they will establish what the problem is and whether to contact the emergency services or the customer's chosen emergency contacts.  

Some pendants come with their own microphone so customers can speak to staff from wherever they are. Base units are designed so they can pick up your voice from another room. 

Fall detectors 

Fall detectors also rely on a customer wearing a watch or pendant – the base unit at home detects if the device you're wearing indicates a fall.

As well as detecting a fall, most devices allow customers to speak with the emergency team and also request help by pressing a button on the device.

GPS trackers

GPS tracker alarms find the location of a person wearing a device via satellites anywhere in the world. This can help worried family members locate a missing relative or allow someone to seek help wherever they are. 

Do you need a landline for a personal alarm?

Home personal alarms don't always need to be connected to a landline. Instead, they can be fitted with a SIM card so they connect to a mobile network.

The SIM card is placed inside the base unit and, as long as it's positioned somewhere with mobile coverage, it's fine to use instead of the traditional landline connection. 

Is there a personal alarm that can alert someone in the house?

If you're looking for a personal alarm that alerts other people in the house when you're in difficulty, you should consider a basic alarm. 

A basic alarm releases a loud noise when either a button is pressed or a small pin is pulled out of the device.

If you're starting to have difficulty navigating the stairs, read our guide to the best stairlift brands for product recommendations 

Personal alarms and telecare

If you’re shopping around for a personal alarm, you’ll probably come across the phrase ‘telecare’. Essentially, this means technology that can remotely monitor someone’s activity (usually in their home) and send an alert to a call centre or carer when needed.

Our guide to telecare explains the more sophisticated systems that can combine a personal alarm with various sensors, such as movement sensors or heat sensors. This can alert a carer about a range of situations, such as if you leave the property, slip out of your bed or chair, or appear to be inactive for too long..