Personal alarm systems for old people

MarkFromCornwall

MrGumby wrote: »

The pendant with this is badly designed and far too easily triggers false alarms.

I agree that false alarms are much too easily triggered. When we first started using it there were about ten false alarms per week. After a few months my mother learned how to avoid triggering it and there were virtually no false alarms. We also felt that as the call was going straight to me, false alarms were no big deal.

We've now changed to Saga because I felt that there were too many times when I was not available to respond to the alarm call, eg. when I'm swimming. For people on a tight budget and where a friend or family member is readily available to respond, I think the Lifemax system has many advantages.

SailorSam

When i was a volunteer with VS we had small alarms we gave away that you could hang around your neck.
VS will advise you of better ones you can buy.

MrGumby

MarkFromMullion wrote: »

I agree that false alarms are much too easily triggered. When we first started using it there were about ten false alarms per week. After a few months my mother learned how to avoid triggering it and there were virtually no false alarms. We also felt that as the call was going straight to me, false alarms were no big deal.

We've now changed to Saga because I felt that there were too many times when I was not available to respond to the alarm call, eg. when I'm swimming. For people on a tight budget and where a friend or family member is readily available to respond, I think the Lifemax system has many advantages.

We too thought it would be fine if family members were called - us first (at home, then mobile), then son, daughter and finally neighbours. But we had several false alarms, most days; we are often out of the country, son and daughter at work, neighbours elderly themselves. Worse, because she is rather deaf and refused to wear hearing aids, she didn't realise she had triggered the alarm and didn't hear us trying to respond, leaving us uncertain as to whether an alarm was genuine. Her phone bill went up too!

I certainly agree with your conclusion but feel that, for those who can afford it, one of the dozens of services available from third parties is preferable. It's worth comparing a few. Some, like Age UK, charge an up-front fee with a relatively low monthly charge, others, like Saga, vice versa, so a lot depends on how long you feel the service will be needed.

keithw_4

I'm looking into these for an elderly friend. Many have a range limited to the house and garden, but Buddi.co.uk has gps coverage all over UK. Ideal for a walker?