Calling for help
a guide to community alarms, 2003
(go to list of report contents)
What is a community alarm?
A community alarm means you can call for help from anywhere in your home. If you or your family are concerned that you might fall and not be able to get up, carrying a small radio device - often called a portable trigger - means you will be able to set off an alarm telephone call just by pressing a button.
Portable triggers can be
worn as a pendant,
on a wristband or on clothng
Over one and a half million older and disabled people in the UK use community alarms. Most have their calls answered by a local alarm centre.
This report explains how alarms work and where can you get an alarm? gives details of the types of organisations that run alarm schemes . We have tested 13 different models - all those on the market in Autumn 2003. See the list below and click on the name of any alarm you are interested in for results and photographs. For details of what you need to think about when choosing an alarm unit, see basic choices. For help in deciding who to go to for an alarm service, see who will receive your calls?. If you are offered an alarm that we have not tested, or want help in deciding if a call service is up to scratch, the checklists will help you check them out.
Having a good community alarm can give you the confidence to continue living at home independently, knowing that help is at hand if you need it. In fact once you have a community alarm, you should not use it only for emergencies. Press the button whenever you feel concerned and need reassurance and someone to talk to.
Report Contents
About alarms
What
is a community alarm?
How
does an alarm work?
Basic
choices
Who
will receive your calls?
Where can you get an alarm?
Alarms on test
Models tested
Antenna
Princess AP1000
Antenna
AP2000
CareSec
Homelink
Extra II
Horizon
II
IntelliLink
Lifeline
400
Lifeline
4000
LIfeline
4000+D
Lifeline
TalkBack trigger
S11
Carephone
Sayphone
In
Touch 1000
In
Touch 2000
In
Touch 2000 Package
Other information
Using
an alarm
Checklists
of things to look for
Alarms
in the future
Acknowledgements
Contact
details
