Personal alarm - am I missing something?

Grandad99

My wife has become unsteady on her feet and had a fall. I need to get her a personal alarm so that I can leave her to go shopping etc.

There are now some alarms that enable 2 way conversation via a small fob or wristwatch lookalike, doing away with the need for a base station.

This one
https://www.personalalarms.org/product/suresafe-talksafe-247-monitoring/
is typical, with fall detection and constant monitoring. Cost is £149 plus £18.99 a month for the constant monitoring.

However this one
https://www.personalalarmwatch.com/personal_alarm?gclid=CjwKCAiA_P3jBRAqEiwAZyWWaIQBkEKWk0hsGChGSDKpR6Bgmm_iPfEKUYKQq_aNWAinWQIVh2xskBoC4dEQAvD_BwE
is only a £50 setup charge and £179 a year for the constant monitoring. Being worn on the wrist it does not include a fall detector.

Such a price differential for a similar service make me wonder if I am missing something.

Can anyone with experience in this area offer any advice?

devon_guy

The main difference I can see is that the first one is like the traditional alarm which has a base unit in the house and therefore only has a limited range whereas the wrist one goes everywhere with you be it shops, a walk etc.

kingfisherblue

My mum has a mobile phone with an alarm on. She carries it with her in case she needs it. If she has a fall, she just needs to press the button on the back, and a text is sent to me, my daughter and my sister. The phone also has two speed dial buttons (they are a different colour to the number buttons). It's a PAYG Dorio.

It works really well as an alarm. It's also friendlier on the pocket. Once bought, there is only the top up amount to pay, if she uses it to make calls.

It may be worth considering instead of the above.

[Deleted User]

My dad has a wrist worn alarm I think (?) he pays about £6 a week for 24/7 help.