For many older, vulnerable adults, home is the safest and most familiar place to be. But it’s also where most accidents happen, and surprisingly, a large number of these happen at night. That’s why it’s so important to consider night-time safety for the elderly and vulnerable people, especially when it comes to wearing a personal alarm.
At Taking Care, we always recommend wearing your personal alarm 24/7, including while you sleep. It might sound unnecessary at first, but the reality is that wearing your alarm to bed could quite literally save your life.
Why night-time can be riskier for older adults
The night-time hours can bring a few extra challenges for older adults, with dim lighting, tiredness, or certain health conditions that can make moving around a bit trickier. Here are some common situations where accidents can happen, and to be aware of:
Falls when getting up in the night: Trips can happen while walking to the bathroom or kitchen in low light.
Dizziness or balance problems: Getting up too quickly can cause a sudden loss of balance.
Health scares: Heart issues, breathing difficulties, or low blood sugar levels often come about unexpectedly, sometimes during the night.
Confusion or disorientation: This can be common in people living with dementia or mild cognitive impairment, especially when waking suddenly.
In these situations, every second counts. If an emergency happens during the night and help isn’t raised quickly, it could take hours before anyone notices, so a personal alarm worn at night ensures that help can be called upon instantly, even if you can’t reach a phone.
Why you should wear your alarm to bed
Many people take off their alarm at bedtime, thinking they won’t need it while asleep. However, our Emergency Resolution Team receives calls from customers who’ve needed help during the night, often after a fall, faint, or sudden illness.
Keeping it on at night can make all the difference, especially because:
Emergencies can happen anytime: Whether it’s a fall, chest pain, or breathing difficulty, these incidents don’t stick to a schedule and could happen in the middle of the night.
Getting up at night is a common risk: Going to the toilet in the dark is one of the most frequent causes of night-time falls.
Fast response saves lives: With your alarm on, our 24/7 team can respond immediately, even if you can’t speak.
Peace of mind for families: Knowing your alarm is always within reach helps your loved ones sleep easier, too.
Comfortable ways to wear a personal alarm at night
Some people worry that their alarm might be uncomfortable while sleeping, but the good news is that many alarms like ours are lightweight, and designed for round-the-clock wear.
Wear it as a pendant or wristwatch: Choose whichever feels most natural when lying down, but many of our users find the wrist option ideal for night-time comfort.
Keep cords short: If wearing around your neck, make sure the cord isn’t too long as you don’t want it getting tangled
Check that your bed setup is correct and comfortable: Avoid sleeping with the alarm tucked under the pillow or under the covers, as this may affect comfort or detection.
Test the range: If using a home-based alarm like the Digital Personal Alarm, make sure the range covers your bedroom. Taking Care’s in-home alarms offer up to 300 metres of coverage, which is more than enough for most homes.
Alarms that work while you sleep
Not all personal alarms are the same, so it’s important to choose one that’s designed for 24/7 protection, including overnight use.
Digital Fall Alarm
Perfect for those who want extra reassurance, the Digital Fall Alarm includes automatic fall detection. If a fall happens while getting out of bed or during the night, the alarm will trigger automatically, even if you can’t press the button or speak.
Our UK-based Emergency Resolution Team will know who you are and where you live, and can send help immediately.
Digital Personal Alarm
Ideal for those who want reliable home and garden coverage, the Digital Personal Alarm offers a range of up to 300 metres from the base unit. It’s lightweight, easy to wear in bed, and connects directly to Taking Care’s 24/7 response team.
Taking Care Anywhere Alarm
If your loved one occasionally travels or stays overnight elsewhere, the Taking Care Anywhere GPS alarm is a great choice as it uses the mobile network and GPS tracking to ensure you’re protected wherever you are, even away from home. Like the other models, it can detect falls automatically and alert our emergency team.
Night-time safety tips for the elderly and vulnerable
Alongside wearing your personal alarm at night, there are a few simple changes that can make a big difference to night safety for the elderly.
Keep a nightlight on: Soft lighting can prevent trips and make it easier to find your way to the bathroom.
Avoid keeping clutter around: Try to keep walkways clear and remove loose rugs or obstacles that may cause you to trip.
Have your essentials nearby: Keep a glass of water, phone, and medication close to your bed so that you do not need to make unnecessary trips outside of the bedroom during the night.
At Taking Care, we believe that peace of mind shouldn’t end when you go to bed. Wearing your alarm at night ensures you’re always connected to help, even when everyone else is asleep.
So, if you’ve ever wondered whether you should wear your alarm to bed, the answer is simple: yes. Because while you sleep, your personal alarm never does.
