Find the Best Personal Alarms for the Elderly

Award winning personal alarms from Taking Care

A personal alarm can help you or your loved ones remain safe and live independently. There are many alarm devices available on the market so you may find it difficult to decide which emergency alert service to choose.

We have a range of personal alarms to suit different needs, personal preferences, health conditions and lifestyles. You may be an older adult that would like reassurance you can always reach assistance from the home or garden, or you may live an active lifestyle and want a personal alarm system that works when you are out and about, anywhere in the UK. Our range of some of the best personal alarms in the UK incorporate features that are designed to provide the maximum possible reassurance and peace of mind for you and your family.

The right personal alarm can help older adults to live a full and independent life with confidence. Use the filters above to help you choose the best personal alarm for you.

All our alarms include our award winning 24/7 monitoring and a Which? Trusted Trader Approved Service for the installation and servicing of care alarms in the UK.

This means you can rely on our 24/7 monitoring should you need help in any emergency. 

What is a personal alarm for the elderly?

A personal alarm for the elderly is a safety device designed to provide quick access to help in emergencies, helping older adults maintain their independence at home. These alarms are especially useful for individuals who live alone, have limited mobility, or are at risk of falls. With a personal alarm, users can summon assistance by pressing an emergency button, which sends an alert to a 24/7 Emergency Resolution Team. The alarm offers peace of mind to both the user and their loved ones, knowing that help is always within reach.

The alarm system typically consists of a base unit and a wearable device, such as a pendant, watch or wristband, making it easy for users to call for help from anywhere in their home. When the button is pressed, the emergency resolution operator speaks to the user through the alarm system to assess the situation. Depending on the user’s needs, the operator can contact family members, neighbours, or emergency services to provide the necessary support.

Choosing the right personal alarm involves considering the user’s specific needs, such as whether they require fall detection or mobile coverage for protection outside the home. By offering these essential services, personal alarms provide a lifeline to older adults, promoting both safety and independence in their everyday lives. Taking Care’s range of personal alarms is designed to meet these needs with reliable, round-the-clock support.

Which is the best personal alarm for the elderly?

Emergency care alarms have a wide range of features and options. One thing to consider when comparing models to find the best personal alarms for your needs is to decide how you would like to wear your emergency alarm for elderly, for example as a pendant, around your wrist, as an alarm necklace or as a keyring.

When choosing a personal alarm, consider the features that are important to help you stay safe: some customers like the added reassurance of a fall detector if they are a little unsteady on their feet or have a history of falls. Or, if you would like to know that you can get help when out for a walk or at the shops, choose from personal alarms that have a built-in GPS location aware feature.

How do personal alarms for the elderly work?

Personal alarms for the elderly are designed to be user friendly, easy to use and accessible at all times. Once you have chosen your personal alarm, you can purchase online with us for free next working day delivery.* Once you have received your alarm, there is a simple setup process which our team can talk you through if necessary. There are then just three simple steps to using your personal alarm:

1. Wear the device:

The user wears the alarm device, usually as a pendant around the neck or a wristband, ensuring it is always accessible.

2. Press the emergency button:

In an emergency, the user presses the button on the device. This triggers an alert to the 24/7 Emergency Resolution Team, where operators receive the signal and respond quickly. Some alarms include fall detection, which will alert us automatically when a fall is detected.

3. Receive assistance:

A trained operator speaks to the user through the base unit or pendant (depending on the model) to assess the situation. Depending on the user’s needs, the operator contacts a family member, neighbour, or emergency services to provide help, ensuring the user's safety and wellbeing.

Some  of our personal alarms come with additional features, such as automatic fall detection. These alarms use sensors to detect sudden impacts and can trigger an alert even if the user is unable to press the button. This feature is particularly useful for older adults who may be unconscious or immobilised after a fall. Mobile personal alarms with GPS tracking are also available, offering protection both inside and outside the home. These alarms rely on mobile networks, ensuring that users can call for help from virtually anywhere with coverage.

30-day money back guarantee on all alarm systems from Taking Care

Alarm systems from Taking Care come with a 30-day money back guarantee. You can choose from our personal alarms range with confidence that you can return the system free of charge within 30 days if you are not satisfied with it, and we will refund the full cost of your order.*

Whichever alarm product you choose, you will have peace of mind that when you press your emergency button, you will be quickly connected to our Emergency Resolution Team. They will speak with you over the alarm equipment and call your nominated emergency contacts or the emergency services if further help is needed.

Ordering your personal alarm system from Taking Care

Whether you are choosing an in-home personal alarm for the elderly or a GPS alarm for yourself, you can quickly and easily order securely online with free next working day delivery included.* 

If you have any questions about which model would be the best emergency alarm for your circumstances or would prefer to order by phone, you can speak to one of our friendly team on 0800 085 7371, Monday – Friday, 9am - 5pm.

Taking Care Alarm FAQs

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions we get asked about our alarm products and alarm services.

I’m not sure which alarm to buy. Can someone help me decide on the best personal alarm for my situation?

Our Sales Advisors can talk to you about your circumstances and use the information that you provide to recommend the most appropriate alarms from our range that match your requirements. You can get in touch with them by calling 0800 085 7371, Monday – Friday, 9am -5pm.

What happens if I set off my personal alarm by accident?

If you press your personal alarm button by accident, our Emergency Resolution Team will try to speak with you through the alarm equipment to make sure you are OK. When the Emergency Resolution Team answer the alarm call, tell them it was an accident and that you do not need any help.

We encourage all our alarm users to test their devices regularly, so we don't mind if you call us accidently; it gives us an opportunity to get to know you and check you are happy with how your alarm system works.

How much is a personal alarm for the elderly?

The cost of a personal alarm for the elderly varies depending on the type of alarm and service plan. Our personal alarms have an initial setup fee, starting at £69.99 excluding VAT, and a subscription fee, starting at around £20.50 per month. Fall detection or mobile alarms with GPS tracking may have higher costs due to the added features. Eligible users with chronic conditions or disabilities can often claim VAT exemption, saving 20% on the cost of their alarm.

How do I get a personal alarm for elderly?

We make the process of getting a personal alarm quick and easy. Simply choose the alarm that meets your needs, order online and make the initial payments. We’ll send the alarm straight out to you, often with free next day delivery. Once you’ve set the alarm up, it will start working straight away.

Can I get a personal alarm for free on the NHS?

No, personal alarms are not provided for free through the NHS. Find out more about the NHS and personal alarms here.

What should a personal alarm be used for?

A personal alarm should be used to provide immediate assistance during emergencies, such as falls, sudden illness, or other medical situations where the user needs urgent help. It might also be needed in cases of confusion, for example if the user suffers from dementia and gets lost then a dementia tracker can be invaluable. The alarm allows users to quickly alert the 24/7 Emergency Resolution Team by pressing a button, ensuring that support is available whenever needed. Personal alarms are intended to enhance safety, particularly for elderly individuals living alone or with health conditions, by reducing response times and preventing prolonged periods without assistance.

Can Taking Care let the emergency services know my medical history?

Yes, Taking Care can store some medical information, if you choose to share this with us, so we can pass the information on to the emergency services if needed in an emergency. For example, it can help to know if you have any medical conditions, allergies or take blood thinners so that we can deliver the best possible service if an emergency alarm call is made.

Will installing broadband at my home stop my alarm from working?

Broadband won't affect our out-and-about personal alarms because these do not rely on a telephone landline.

If you have an in-home alarm that connects to the telephone line and get broadband installed, you should test your alarm to check it is not affected. We recommend you have a broadband filter on each telephone socket that is in use. Broadband filters are widely available from electrical stores, online or from your broadband provider.

If your panic alarm system isn't working as it should, get in touch with our Customer Service team who can advise.

Can I wear my alarm device in the bath or shower?

If your alarm device is water resistant then you can wear the pendant alarm in the bathroom and shower, where slips are common. Taking Care Anywhere, Classic Personal Alarm, Digital Personal Alarm and Digital Fall Alarm are all water resistant. 

Can I use my personal alarm device without the subscription?

The subscription covers the 24/7 monitoring service, which is an essential part of the safety alarm package. Without a subscription, you will not benefit from the peace and mind and security that our Emergency Resolution Team provide. Taking Care Anywhere, Digital Fall Alarm, Digital Personal Alarm, Taking Care Safe Home Alert and Taking Care Sense are rented so must be returned to us if you end the subscription.

How do I provide details of my emergency contacts?

After you have placed your order, we will collect some additional information to ensure we deliver the best possible service to you and your family. You will receive an email with a link to an online account setup form or, if you prefer, you can give us a call so that the necessary information can be gathered. We want to ensure that you have the best personal alarm package for your needs and that we have all of the details we need to provide the high level of service that you deserve.  

What if an older adult doesn’t want to wear a personal alarm?

Some older people don’t think that they need a personal alarm or can sometimes see it as a loss of independence or believe that it means their family don’t think they are capable anymore. This can be very challenging for everyone involved and it’s important to handle things sensitively. Talking it through and expressing how personal alarms can actually help give more independence, as well as giving real peace of mind to loved ones, can help. Take a look at our piece on talking to elderly parents about personal alarms for more tips.