What should a personal alarm be used for?

Personal alarms provide peace of mind for elderly individuals and their families by offering an immediate way to request help during emergencies.

But what should a personal alarm be used for? And how can it help you or an elderly friend or relative in their everyday lives? From falls to feeling unwell, we'll share the ways in which our personal alarms prove invaluable.

This article will give you a clear understanding of why personal alarms are important and whether they might suit you or your loved ones.

Understanding personal alarms

A personal alarm is a handy wearable device, usually shaped like a pendant or watch, that lets the wearer call for help with the press of a button. Many personal alarms for the elderly often come with useful features like fall detection and GPS tracking, making them a great way to help users stay safe while staying independent.

Taking Care's personal alarms are monitored 24-hours a day by our specialist Emergency Resolution team, so help is always available.

Now, let's take a look at some of the ways a personal alarm or fall alarm can be used.

What can a personal alarm for the elderly be used for?

1. After a fall

Falls are a major concern for older adults and a key reason why many people choose a personal alarm. Research shows that one in three people over 65 will experience a fall each year, often in high-risk areas like bathrooms or showers, where slippery floors are common. Outdoors, the risk increases for those with balance or mobility challenges. 

Falls can impact a person’s confidence, leading to reduced activity and a loss of independence. Many fear being unable to call for help and end up choosing the safety of home over staying active.

A personal alarm gives peace of mind, empowering older adults to stay independent, knowing that help is available through their watch or pendant. Alarms with fall detection can automatically send out a message to an Emergency Resolution team if they need assistance. 

• At home: If an older adult falls and cannot reach their phone, they can simply press their personal alarm for help.
• Out and about: GPS-tracked alarms, like the Taking Care Anywhere alarm, sends location information to the Emergency Resolution team. Help arrives quickly, even if the user is unable to respond. 

2. Wandering, getting lost, or feeling disoriented 

Wandering is a major worry for individuals living with dementia or Alzheimer’s. Statistics show that more than 60% of people with dementia will wander at some point during their condition.

This includes feeling disoriented, even in surroundings that may be very familiar to them, leading to them getting lost or ending up in unsafe locations.

Personal alarms with GPS tracking means wandering concerns are less stressful.

• Wanders from home: If a loved one with dementia has a GPS-enabled personal alarm and wanders out of a pre-set boundary, it’s easy to pinpoint their exact location.
  

• Lost or disorientated: The user can easily call the Emergency Resolution Team via their alarm watch or pendant if they feel lost or distressed while out. 
  
  

3. Medical emergencies

Health emergencies like heart attacks, strokes, or seizures happen out of nowhere. Acting fast can make all the difference, improving outcomes and helping prevent complications, which is where personal alarms for the elderly can help.

• Health conditions: A user in pain from a heart attack or stroke can contact the Emergency Resolution team with a single tap of a button. This is often much easier than navigating a mobile phone menu. Two-way communication alarms connect users with trained operators, providing reassurance and support until help arrives.
  

• Mental health: Panic attacks or feelings of overwhelming distress can also make it difficult to communicate. Personal alarms can send a silent, non-verbal request for help which can help to ease the feeling of panic.
  
  

4. Other emergencies 

Emergencies like fires or floods can be especially risky for older adults, particularly if they have trouble getting around. That’s where a personal alarm really shines - it lets them call for help from anywhere in the house.

• Fires: A smoke alarm might sound, but what if you can’t reach your phone because it’s in another room? Having a personal alarm that connects directly to Emergency Resolution team could save your life.

• Incidents at home: From getting stuck in a confined space like a bathroom or being locked outside on a balcony, a personal alarm can alert the need for help. 
  

• Natural disasters: Events like floods, or severe storms can leave elderly people in dangerous situations. The user can use the personal alarm to send a SOS message if they are trapped or unable to evacuate safely.
  
  

5. Creating a sense of security 

For older adults living alone, feeling safe and independent at home is essential - not just for their own well-being, but also for the peace of mind it brings to their loved ones. Personal alarms offer a reliable solution, providing the reassurance that help is always there.

• Unexpected situations: A personal alarm can be used as a lifeline in unexpected, vulnerable moments when the user is home alone and unable to reach the phone. It can add a real sense of security, empowering seniors to feel safer and more confident in their own homes.
  
  

Take the first step to safer living  

If you or someone you love could benefit from added security and independence, a personal alarm may be the perfect solution. At Taking Care, our Which? approved personal alarms offer round-the-clock support, fall detection, and GPS tracking options to help seniors live life on their terms.