September 23, 2024
Empowering Safety and Independence: Your Guide To Personal Alarm
How do personal alarms work?
Personal alarms are designed to be simple and easy to use, providing quick access to help when needed. Here’s a detailed look at how they typically function:
- Wearing the alarm: The Umps personal alarm is usually worn as a pendant around the neck or around the wrist, ensuring it’s always within easy reach.
- Activating the alarm: In an emergency, the user simply presses the alarm button. This action sends an immediate signal to the emergency response centre.
- Emergency Response Centre: Within two minutes of the alarm being activated, the user is connected to a response centre operator. This quick response time is crucial in emergency situations.
- Assessment and Communication: The operator communicates with the individual through the alarm’s hub. They assess the situation to determine what kind of support is needed. This could range from reassurance to dispatching emergency services.
- Emergency Protocol: If the operator can’t establish voice contact with the user, they treat the situation as an emergency, ensuring emergency calls are made to the necessary contacts.
- Contacting emergency contacts: The monitoring centre may also reach out to the user’s pre-designated emergency contacts, such as family members or friends, to inform them of the situation.
What are the benefits of a personal alarm?
In Australia, falls are the main cause of injury and hospitalisation for older people over the age of 65. A personal alarm can be a crucial tool in addressing this issue, providing quick assistance in case of a fall and potentially reducing the risk of serious injury. [1]
Personal alarms offer a wealth of advantages:
- Enhanced Independence: Feel confident living on your own, knowing support is always within reach.
- Quick access to help: Receive prompt medical attention when you need it most.
- Peace of Mind: For you and your family members, knowing you’re never truly alone.
- Fall Detection and Alert: Some alarms include fall detection, providing automatic alerts.
- Support for active lifestyles: Mobile alarms allow users to maintain their daily routines with added security.
What features are important in personal alarms?
When choosing a personal alarm, it’s essential to focus on features that enhance your safety and peace of mind. Here are the key elements to look for:
- 24/7 Professional Monitoring: Ensures help is always available during medical emergencies.
- Reliable Backup Battery: Uninterrupted protection, even during power outages.
- Ease of Use: Easy-to-press buttons for stress-free operation.
- Rapid Response: Every second counts in a medical emergency.
- Water resistance: Important for use in bathrooms where falls are common.
- Comfort and Style: The device should be comfortable for all-day wear.
- Home Freedom: Ensure coverage throughout your living space.
- GPS Location: Essential for tracking the user's movements and ensuring help can be directed to the correct location. Note that while GPS location helps monitor movements, its effectiveness can be hindered by environmental factors such as tall buildings and being indoors.
What are the different types of personal alarms?
Personal alarms come in various types, each designed to meet different needs and preferences.
Auto-dial Alarms
These alarms automatically dial pre-programmed phone numbers or emergency contacts when triggered. They're a good basic option but rely on the availability of the programmed contacts.
Fully Monitored
Connected to a 24/7 emergency response centre, monitored alarms provide a direct connection, offering fast response times and two-way communication with trained operators who can assess situations and take immediate action. This option provides the most comprehensive protection and peace of mind.
Home-based
These systems consist of a base station connected to mains power and a wearable pendant. They're designed for use anywhere in the home or garden, providing a good range of coverage.
Mobile alarms
Most mobile alarms are designed for emergencies and highlight features such as connectivity to the 4G cellular network and GPS locator capabilities. These are self-contained devices where all communication technology is within the pendant or watch. They’re ideal for active seniors who spend time outside the home.
How to install a personal alarm?
The setup process for most personal alarms involves:
- Unboxing the system components
- Plugging in the base unit
- Charging the wearable device if required
- Making a test call to ensure proper functioning
- Testing the range within your home
Most providers offer support during the setup process to ensure everything is working correctly.
What is the difference between pendant alarms and watch alarms?
Pendant alarms are often preferred for their simplicity and ease of use. This is because
- They're worn around the neck, making them discreet and comfortable
- Lightweight design allows for 24/7 wear
- Simple to use, which is crucial in emergencies
- Don't require charging
- Water-resistant (look for IP67 rating)
- Come with a breakaway lanyard for safety
While smartwatch alarms offer additional features, their small touchscreens can be challenging to navigate, especially in emergencies.
This is why we've chosen to focus on offering pendant alarms at Umps. Pendant alarms offer:
- Accessibility: Pendant alarms are designed with simplicity and ease of use in mind. The large, prominent buttons make them easier to activate, even for those with limited hand mobility.
- Comfort: The lightweight design of pendant alarms allows them to be worn comfortably around the neck, making them less likely to cause irritation or discomfort during prolonged wear.
- Water resistance: They can be worn in the bathroom, providing protection in a high-risk area for falls.
- Battery life: Pendant alarms don't require charging at all and the batteries typically last between 2-4 years.
In addition to these benefits, our professionally monitored pendant alarms offer several unique advantages:
- Quick help in emergencies: With Umps, you can get assistance even if you can't reach a phone, ensuring you're never left without support when you need it most.
- Peace of mind: Our reliable personal alarms provide peace of mind for both you and your loved ones, knowing that help is just a button press away.
- No lock-in contracts or hidden fees: We believe in simple, affordable protection without the hassle of lock-in contracts or hidden fees.
- Professional installation support: Our expert Australian team will guide you through the setup process and ensure your device is working properly.
- Continuous monitoring: We keep an eye on your device's connection and battery life, so you never have to worry about being left without assistance.
- Proactive check-ins: If you haven't used your alarm in more than three months, we'll reach out to make sure you're comfortable with the device and understand how to use it.
Do you need the NBN to have a personal alarm system?
No, the NBN isn't necessary for most personal alarm systems. The Umps Link work using a Telstra SIM card. However, it can use NBN as a backup if the cellular network is down. [2]
Can I get government funding for a personal alarm?
Government funding can provide funding for personal alarms as part of aged care and disability support services [3]. The following are the list of schemes that provide funding:
More information
Our friendly team is here to listen, support, and empower you to live independently with confidence. If you have any questions about any personal alarms don't hesitate to reach out to us.
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