Adult Social Care

Safety alarms and equipment

A personal alarm can help you live safely and independently at home. An alarm can support people with dementia, those with a physical or sensory impairment or people living with the threat of domestic violence.

A pendant alarm can be kept with you at all times if you need help - for example, if you have fallen.

The alarm has a fall and motion detector built-in, in case there is a lack of movement and you are unable to press the button yourself. They can also monitor whether someone has unexpectedly left the house or have been out of bed for a long time.

Other alarms can be placed around the home to detect:

  • smoke
  • fire
  • flooding
  • carbon monoxide leaks

Sensors are placed around the home and connected to a base unit. If an alert is sent, an operator can speak to you via the base unit and contact a family member or the emergency services, if needed.

If you don't have any family or friends close by, you can pay for a mobile response service to come if you need help. Our home response service is Local Solutions.

How to get an alarm

If you need support to continue living independently

If you have eligible care needs or you think a personal safety alarm or other telecare equipment would help you or someone you care for to live more independently, complete an assessment.

If you are living with the threat of domestic violence

If you need a personal safety alarm because you are living with the threat of domestic violence, the police will contact the Independent Domestic Violence Advisor service (IDVA) following a report of Domestic Violence. IDVA will then send referrals to adult social care.

We do not need to know the details of the abuse, but the perpetrator cannot be living with the victim and the relationship must be over.

When we contact you, we will ask for your safe word.

What happens next?

We will contact you to arrange the next steps. If we think a personal alarm is suitable we will set a date for our provider Millbrook Healthcare to install the base unit and sensors.

Do I have to pay?

Alarm sensors are free and at present we do not charge for installation or response centre monitoring.