Find the best personal alarm for elderly people in the UK

A personal alarm for the elderly is a wearable emergency button that allows someone to call for help at the press of a button. The alarm connects to a 24-hour response team who can speak with the user and arrange help if needed. It helps support independence while providing reassurance for families.

The best personal alarm for elderly people depends on their lifestyle and level of support needed. Some people prefer a simple alarm that works at home, while others benefit from GPS alarms that work outside.

Features such as fall detection, location tracking and 24-hour monitoring can provide additional reassurance. Comparing options based on these features can help you find the right alarm.

For those at risk of falls, a personal alarm with automatic fall detection can provide extra reassurance. These alarms can detect a fall and send an alert even if the wearer is unable to press the button, helping ensure support arrives quickly.

Our personal alarms are designed to contact a monitoring team first, who can then alert family members, neighbours or emergency services. This ensures the right help is arranged quickly based on the situation. Many families prefer this approach as it provides 24-hour support even if they are unavailable.

A monitored personal alarm connects to a 24/7 response team, while a friends and family alarm (often called a standalone alarm) sends an alert to someone you know, such as a relative.

With a monitored personal alarm, pressing the button puts you in contact with trained specialists who can quickly understand the situation and arrange help. This could include contacting family members or calling the emergency services if needed, ensuring support is available at any time.

Standalone alarms work differently. Instead of a monitoring team, they rely on a chosen contact receiving an alert, usually through a mobile phone or app. This means help depends on that person being available, noticing the alert, and being able to respond quickly, which may not always be possible.

Because of this, many people prefer a monitored alarm for added reassurance and consistent support. A standalone option can still work well where someone is always on hand to respond, but a monitored service removes the need to rely on others being available.

The main difference between a basic and a more advanced personal alarm is the level of support and additional features provided.

A basic alarm typically includes:

• A simple button to call for help
• Connection to friends or family contact or an outsourced monitoring team

A more advanced alarm service like Taking Care's will also include:

• Free wellbeing calls and prevention services
• Multiple dedicated and specialist UK monitoring centres
• Clear and transparent pricing and terms and conditions with no long-term contracts

The best personal alarm devices will include:

• Automatic fall detection
• GPS location support for use outside the home
• Two-way communication through the device
• Water-resistant design for use in the bathroom
• Long battery life or low-maintenance charging

Top-rated personal alarms are usually those that are reliable, easy to use and backed by a 24-hour monitoring service provided by a reputable company.

Highly rated personal alarm companies will be members of the TSA, the Telecare Services Association and offer a range of alarms including:

• In-home alarms for simple, reliable protection around the home
• Fall detection alarms for added reassurance if falling is a concern
• GPS alarms for use outside the home with location support
• Wrist worn alarms or pendant alarms depending on personal preference

The best option depends on the wearer’s lifestyle. Many people prioritise werable options, ease of use, fast response times and dependable monitoring when choosing a personal alarm.

You can compare personal alarm reviews and comparisons of personal alarm companies to help you decide.

Choosing the best personal alarm in the UK depends on how and where it will be used. If the person mainly stays at home, a home alarm may be suitable. If they are active or go outside regularly, a GPS alarm offers protection wherever they go.

It’s also worth considering features like fall detection, ease of use and whether it connects to a 24-hour Emergency Resolution Team.

A personal alarm is a small wearable device that connects you to a 24-hour Emergency Resolution Team at the press of a button.

When the alarm is activated, a trained operator speaks with you through the device and arranges help if needed, such as contacting a family member, neighbour or the emergency services.

Yes. Most modern personal alarms use mobile networks, so they do not require a landline or WiFi connection. This makes them quick to set up and easy to use in most homes.

Yes. GPS personal alarms are designed to work outside the home, allowing the wearer to get help wherever they are in the UK, as long as there is mobile signal. Home alarms are typically designed for use in and around the home.

Typical costs start from £22 per month. The exact cost of a personal alarm in the UK depends on the type of device and service. Most alarms have a setup cost and a monthly subscription that includes the equipment and 24-hour monitoring. Additional features such as fall detection or GPS may increase the price.

The setup cost includes setting up your account and registering you as a customer. You will need to set up the personal alarm yourself. If you have an in-home alarm, this typically involves plugging in your base unit and testing your alarm. The setup cost does not include any in-person installation assistance.

If ordering online, you pay for the one-off setup cost by debit or credit card. The subscription is paid separately by Direct Debit. The Direct Debit form is shown once you have completed your order and a link to the form is also included in your order confirmation email. If ordering by telephone then the Direct Debit will be set up over the phone with you by the sales advisor.

The subscription typically includes the alarm device, 24-hour monitoring, SIM connectivity (for mobile alarms), and ongoing support. This ensures your alarm is always ready to use when needed.

No. Most personal alarm plans include the equipment, SIM, calls and monitoring in one simple monthly cost. This means there are no unexpected charges or pay-as-you-go fees.

No. Our personal alarms require a subscription to provide access to a 24-hour monitoring service. Without a subscription, the alarm will not connect to a response team, which is a key part of how the system provides support and reassurance.

With the exception of the Personal Alarm Watch and Dementia Tracker, our alarms are rented for the period of the subscription.

Getting a personal alarm is simple. You can choose the right device online, place your order and have it delivered quickly. Once set up, the alarm will be ready to use straight away.

No, personal alarms are not usually provided for free through the NHS. However, some local authorities or support services may offer assistance depending on individual circumstances.

Yes. Personal alarms are designed to be simple and easy to use, typically with a single button to call for help. They are lightweight, comfortable to wear and require very little technical knowledge.

When the alarm button is pressed, it sends an alert to our monitoring centres. A trained operator will speak with the user through the device and arrange help if needed, such as contacting family members or emergency services.

If the alarm is activated by mistake, the Emergency Resolution Team will simply check that everything is okay. You can let them know it was accidental and no further action will be taken.

Yes. Personal alarms and dementia GPS tracker watches can help support people living with dementia or Alzheimer's by providing quick access to help and, in some cases, location tracking. Features such as safe zone alerts can help families stay informed if someone becomes disoriented or wanders.

Most personal alarms are water-resistant, so they can be worn in the bath or shower. This is important as slips and falls are more likely to happen in these areas, helping ensure support is always within reach.

After ordering your personal alarm, you will be asked to provide details of your emergency contacts. This can be done online or over the phone. These details help ensure the Emergency Resolution Team can contact the right people quickly if help is needed.

Providing basic medical information can help us to offer the most appropriate support in an emergency. This information can also be shared with emergency services if needed.

It’s common for people to feel unsure about wearing a personal alarm at first. A helpful approach is to focus on how it supports independence rather than limiting it. Many alarms are designed to be discreet and comfortable, making them easier to wear as part of everyday life.

Read our guide to talking to Mum or Dad about getting a personal alarm.

Yes. You can cancel your personal alarm at any time, with no long-term contracts or cancellation fees. This gives you the flexibility to choose what works best for you without being tied in.

When a personal alarm is activated, it connects to our trained Emergency Resolution Team who will answer within seconds. They will speak with the user and arrange help straight away if needed. We aim to answer alarm calls within 30 seconds.

Battery life varies depending on the type of personal alarm and its features.

Typical battery life include:

• In-home alarms – up to several years for the wearable button
• Fall detection devices – often long-life batteries or low maintenance
• GPS and watch-style alarms – usually require charging every few days to a few weeks
  

Alarms with more advanced features, such as GPS tracking or two-way communication, generally need more frequent charging.

With Taking Care's rented in-home alarms, replacement batteries are included free of charge.

The range of a personal alarm depends on the type of system.

• In-home alarms typically have a range of up to around 300 metres (984 feet) from the base unit, covering the home and garden.
• GPS alarms do not have a fixed range and can work anywhere in the UK where there is mobile signal.
  

This means an in-home alarm is suitable for use around the house and garden, while a GPS alarm is better for people who spend time outside the home.

Many people find they can use a personal alarm even in areas where their mobile phone signal is weak because the alarm has a multi-network SIM that connects to the strongest available network.