What is a Personal Alarm Call System?

If you are worried about an older family member falling at home alone or not being able to get to the phone in a medical emergency consider a Personal Alarm Call System. 

In this article:

• What is a Personal Alarm Call System?
• How much does a Personal Alarm Call System cost?
• Where can I buy a Personal Alarm Call System?
• Questions to ask a service provider
  

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What is a Personal Alarm Call System?

Personal alarm call systems (PACS) assist people to call for help when they are in distress and cannot reach the phone. These systems allow the user to get assistance in an emergency with the push of a button.

Personal alarm call systems consist of a pendant transmitter and a base receiver unit. The receiver unit sits with the phone. In an emergency the user pushes the button on a phone, pendant or wrist transmitter which activates the receiver unit to call a 24 hour response centre.

Staff at the response centre can then talk to the person in distress and assess the situation. Based on the user's profile, medical history and circumstance the response centre then contacts the most appropriate people for help. This may involve calling nominated family members, neighbours or calling for an ambulance.

In some systems the staff at the response centre can talk with the person in distress even if they are outside or some distance from the phone. 

A key is usually left in a known secure location or a combination lock installed to gain access inside the house if the user is unable to answer the door.

Personal alarm systems can be monitored or non- monitored. A non-monitored personal alarm system dials elected contacts and an alarm or pre-recorded message lets the person know the user is in need of help. Two way talk back is not available. These systems can be less reliable and a call for help may go undetected. 

How much does a Personal Alarm Call System cost?

Costs of personal alarm call systems will vary. Some personal alarm call systems are funded by the Home and Community Care Program. If a family member is eligible for community care and you think you may organise services in the near future find out if a personal alarm call system is an option before committing to a contract.

Costs and ongoing fees will vary but expect to be charged from $130 for a basic alarm system to $1000 for a multipurpose system.

For a fee additional extras may include medication reminders, inactivity detection, environmental detectors (gase, smoke, heat) and daily check up calls. 

Costs also include installation fees, pendant fee, security key lock, disconnection fee and a monthly service fee.

Always check the price of any optional services and get a written detailed quote before signing a contract.

Where can I buy a Personal Alarm Call System?   

To get an idea of the various suppliers of personal alarm call systems contact an Independent Living Centre in your state. 

You can also look online. Personal alarm call systems are also known as medical alarms and emergency call systems. 
 

Questions to ask a service provider

• Will the service provider demonstrate the device for free?
• What are the set up costs? Are there any ongoing fees?
• Who will install the personal alarm call system?
• Do the fees include servicing equipment or customer support?
• Who can my parent ring if there is a problem?
• Is there an initial free trial period?
• Will the alarm call system continue to operate if the phone is off the hook?
• How often should the device be tested?
• Will we have coverage in country areas?
• What if I go away on holiday can we take it away with us?
• Is the response centre staffed by registered nurses or personal security staff?
• What happens if the phone is knocked off the hook or dial up internet is being used?
• Who can we use as a contact person if we don't live in the area? 
• What happens if the person moves to a hostel or retirement village?
• Is there a battery back up if there is a power failure? How much life do the batteries have?
• How often should we test the personal alarm call system? 
• Do we have to pay for a daily test call?  

Other options

There are many other options other than a personal alarm call system. Try an alerting device that is not connected to the phoneline. Paging devices, intercoms, monitors and portable noise makers can all act to alert a carer that a person is in distress.

You can purchase alarm devices at electrical shops, hardware stores and major department stores around Australia.

If you can't call a family member daily and you are concerned over a loved one's safety try the Red Cross Telecross Service.

Telecross is a free service run by the Red Cross. Everyday a volunteer calls an elderly client at home to check they are safe. The call is repeated, if there is no answer Red Cross organise a home visit to ensure the person's safety.

The service can be temporary, for instance when someone returns from a hospital visit or permanent.

For more information visit www.redcross.org.au.  

Source

Independent Living Centre Tasmania (ILCTas)
Personal Alarm Call Systems (PACS)
Accessed 22/12/08

Comments

AgedCarer would like carers to share their experiences with personal alarm call systems. What products have you found most effective? What are your suggestions when it comes to looking for a service provider? Visit our forum on falls and safety.