Phone icon. Need help? Call us on 0800 085 7371

Resources and Advice

Helping you and your loved ones live well in later life

CARING FOR ELDERLY

How your personal alarm service works

When you press the emergency button on your personal alarm, it quickly calls one of our monitoring centres in the UK. Learn more about how your personal alarm service works and what happens in an emergency.

May 05, 2019

How a pendant alarm works
Download our free guide
Your essential guide to staying independent

We want you to feel empowered and independent so you can enjoy life in your own home for longer. With 24/7 support and telecare services available at the touch of a button, we’re here to ensure that your home remains your haven.

In fact, 87% of customers say our personal alarm service has helped them remain independent.

Setting up the personal alarm service is simple to do and does not require any technical knowledge or specialist equipment.

The alarm base unit needs to be connected to a telephone and power socket, providing a 24/7 connection to Taking Care’s UK-based monitoring service. After connecting the alarm unit, make a test call and the emergency response team will check everything is working OK.

Wearing the personal alarm pendant

The personal alarm itself is a lightweight telecare device that can be worn discreetly like a watch around the wrist or as a pendant necklace and helps elderly loved ones remain independent, in the home they love, for the price of a cup of coffee each week.

personal alarm button


Using the personal alarm

If an alarm user ever feels unwell, suffers a fall or other medical emergency, they can press the button on their emergency alarm for the elderly any time of the day or night, which then contacts the response team.

Personal alarm monitoring

The team can tell who is calling and know where the alarm user lives. They will have any previously shared medical information to hand, so they can respond quickly and appropriately to the situation.

Personal alarm service



Getting help in an emergency

The response team are able to talk to the alarm user through the speaker in the alarm’s base unit. They will then assess the situation, provide advice and escalate the call if further assistance is needed from the emergency services. Even if the alarm user is unable to communicate with the response team, they are able to identify who is on the call and where they are.

Emergency personal alarms

If the incident does require further assistance the response team will alert the alarm user’s nominated contacts, who typically are family members, neighbours or friends, who can then directly respond to the situation.

If the response team was unable to reach a nominated contact, or if medical assistance is required, they will contact the emergency services on the alarm user’s behalf.

If the personal alarm user has installed a key safe, the response team will provide the emergency services with the code for the key safe so they can quickly access the property without causing any damage.

Find the best personal alarm for you


What to read next

Elderly lady with healthcare professional
November 12, 2024

Hospital discharge for elderly: what you need to know

Discharging an elderly loved one can be stressful, but with the right information, you can navigate this transition.

Elderly man with granddaughter
September 16, 2024

Long-distance caregiving tips: support when a loved one isn’t local

If you don't live close to older loved ones, a care management platform can help you manage and oversee care.

Daughter with elderly parent
June 12, 2024

What support is there for a family caring for the elderly?

Providing care for your elderly loved one can be quite challenging. Read this useful guide to find out more.

Old man with carer
June 10, 2024

Caring for an elderly relative – know your carers’ rights

If you provide care to elderly friends or family and you’re struggling due to the rising cost of living, this guide may help.