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Technology and devices can help you stay safe and independent at home.
Personal alarms and monitoring systems can alert call centres or carers if you experience a problem, either at home or outside, such as a fall - you may hear this called telecare.
Key safes can allow family, carers and emergency services to access your home if you cannot get to the door.
Personal alarms allow you to get help if you have a problem or a fall at home, or if you wander off when out of the home.
They can be:
Types of personal alarms include:
Basic alarms can be quite cheap to buy but you may need to pay more for a monitored alarm or a GPS tracking system.
Read the Which? guide to personal alarms, including what to think about before buying an alarm.
Monitoring systems can also help you to stay safe at home and alert someone if there's a problem.
There are 2 main types of monitoring system:
They can include sensors that detect:
They will then send alerts to family, carers or a monitoring service. Some systems can also adjust or turn off appliances if they detect a problem.
Systems can also include security features, such as an intercom that shows family who's at your door and allows them to open doors for you.
You can change the system to include what you need.
You can get basic home security systems online or on the high street.
For systems connected to a monitoring service (telecare), contact the Telecare Services Association. You can search for providers and get advice on different products and services available.
Costs vary depending on your package. There's usually an installation cost followed by a monthly charge.
Some councils provide monitoring services. They're usually basic systems. Contact adult social services at your council and ask if they provide them. If they do, they'll arrange a home assessment.
A key safe is a small box you lock that holds a key. This means carers, your family or emergency services can get into your home if you can't get to the door.
A key safe is fixed to an outdoor wall. You use a code – that you can choose – to open it.
You can buy a key safe online or on the high street. The more expensive key safes work the same way as cheaper ones but they're stronger and heavier. Some key safes are police-approved.
When choosing and alarm or monitoring system, it may help to think about:
An analogue telecare alarm system may not work properly if you have an internet connection or if you have a digital landline instead of an analogue landline at home. Consider buying a digital alarm if you're unsure.
