Community Alarms
What is a Community
Alarm?
How does it work?
Who provides this
service?
What does it cost?
How do I get it?
Find out more
What is a Community Alarm?
A Community Alarm (sometimes also known as "telecare" or "assistive technology") is a personal alarm system that provides a lifeline between you and people you can rely on, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The system connects to your phone through a base unit which you set off either by pressing the alarm button on the telephone itself or by pressing a radio button worn on your body, usually on a wristband or around your neck on a pendant. Once the alarm is set off, a call is put through to an operator at a contact centre, who has immediate access to the details you have supplied to them in advance and can:
- provide needed reassurance
- contact a keyholder - someone you name who holds a key to your home and could come and help you
- send a mobile warden to your home where available
- call emergency services if necessary
How does it work?
If you find yourself in a situation where you need help, all you need to do is push the button on the pendant or base unit. This will immediately connect you to a support centre.
The operator can have a two-way speaker-phone conversation with you to find out what action is needed. Or, if you cannot speak or become unconscious after setting off the alarm, the operator will send help to your home as soon as possible.
A community alarm may be of help to you if you are at risk of falling or have had a fall in the past. An alarm gives you, and your friends and relatives, the security of knowing that you can get help at any time, even if you cannot reach a phone.
Who provides this service?
Community alarms may be provided by
- your local council
- housing associations
- charities
- private firms
What does it cost?
If the service is provided by your Local Authority, there may be a charge. You must be told the cost of the service before you begin receiving it.
If you wish to arrange and pay for this service yourself, you will need to find a Community Alarm provider. One of their home care supervisors can come and talk to you and advise you about installation and the cost of the service. Private community alarm providers will have their own charges. You can find details of Community Alarm providers in our Care Services Directory.
How do I get it?
You do not always need an Assessment of your Care Needs to access this service from your Local Authority. Some Local Authorities offer this service to you automatically if you are over a certain age. Ask your Social Work Department what their policy is on providing Community Alarms. The service may be provided by the Local Authority or they may contract this service out to a private firm.
When you call, you may also be offered an Assessment of your Care Needs. For more information about the assessment, see our page on Assessment of your Care Needs.
Some housing associations also provide this service to their tenants and to other customers.
If you wish to arrange a private community alarm service directly, you can find details of Community Alarm providers in our Care Services Directory.
The UK-wide charity Age Scotland also offers a commercial personal alarm service through its company, 'Aid Call'. For further details call them on freephone 0800 77 22 66 or visit the Aid Call website.
Find out more
You can find details for a telecare service provider for your area or learn about telecare products by contacting the Telecare Services Association:
Telecare Services Association
Suite 8
Wilmslow House
Cheshire
SK9 5AG
Web: http://www.telecare.org.uk
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last updated 17/04/2012
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