The UK has an ageing population, which means that pressure on hospitals and the care sector is increasing. Waiting times for both planned and urgent medical treatment are on the rise. However, Personal alarms can help. Having a personal alarm system can help people continue living safely in the comfort of their own home, rather than moving into a care home or staying in a hospital bed that is in demand.
This article will explain how personal alarms work. We will also discuss why the personal alarm service is necessary, before taking a look at the different kinds of alarms on offer.
Help When You Need it Most
A personal alarm is an ideal solution for elderly and disabled people, especially those who live alone. Accidents and medical emergencies are always a worry for those who live by themselves. What would happen if you had a fall? Even for people who live with others, it can be difficult to get the help you need in an emergency.
Statistics show that falls are the most common cause of hospital admissions and injury-related deaths in people over the age of 75. In fact, deaths as a result of falls more than doubled between 2008 and 2016.
Personal alarms can help prevent these problems. If the wearer suffers a fall, one touch of their pendant button will raise a call for assistance. Without a personal alarm, there is a chance that they could be lying on the floor for hours, or even days, before somebody comes to visit.
Even if the alarm is never used for an emergency, it will give a psychological boost to the wearer. They will feel more confident and enjoy living in the comfort of their home, rather than feeling forced to go into a care home. Read more about the benefits of having a personal alarm.
How Do Personal Alarms Work?
Personal alarm systems tend to come in two parts. The first is the base unit, which connects to the mains power and telephone socket. The base unit is the system’s hub. This is how the Response Team will monitor and speak with alarm users. The best example of a personal alarm base unit is the Lifeline Vi Alarm – our standard personal alarm system.
The second part of most alarm systems is a pendant button. The user should wear their pendant throughout the day, whether they are inside the home or outside in the garden. In the event of an emergency, the user should press this button to call for assistance.
Pressing the alarm button will raise an alert with the Response Team. A member of the team will answer the call and ask the alarm user what has happened. This will help them determine the best course of action. In most cases, the Response Team will call on the user’s chosen emergency contacts to come and help them. If it’s a medical emergency, the Response Team will also call for an ambulance.
It’s important to note that not all personal alarms require a base unit or a landline connection. There are also personal alarms with extra safety features such as fall detection. Next, let’s take a look at the different types of personal alarms available.
Lifeline Vi Alarm Unit
The Lifeline Vi Alarm Base Unit contains the very latest telecare technology. It is manufactured by Tunstall in the UK and is their sixth-generation personal alarm unit. The base unit is compact and comes in a grey and white finish. The unit will easily fit in with other bits of furniture at home.
Features of the Lifeline Vi Alarm Unit
The Lifeline Vi Alarm Unit features a built-in loudspeaker and microphone. Our Response Team will use this to communicate with alarm users in an emergency and during any test calls.
The loudspeaker is designed to be loud enough to be heard even from another room. However, there’s no need to panic if the alarm user can’t hear the Response Team in an emergency. Help will still be arranged and sent to their home.
The personal alarm will also continue to work during a power cut. The Lifeline Vi Alarm has a back-up battery with a 40-hour charge. This battery will kick-in in the event of a power cut, to ensure that you can still call for help if you suffer a fall during this time. Once the power cut is over, the back-up battery will automatically recharge itself so that it is ready to boot-up if another power cut occurs.
How to Install the Lifeline Vi Alarm Unit
The unit couldn’t be easier to install. Anyone – whether it’s the alarm user themselves or a friend or relative – can set it up in minutes.
- To begin, plug the personal alarm unit into the existing telephone socket.
- Next, plug the telephone into the alarm unit with the adaptor provided.
- Finally, plug the alarm unit into a power socket and the device will be ready to test.
To test the alarm, press the red help button on the base unit. The Response Team will know that the alarm is being tested and will respond over the loudspeaker. The team member will talk the alarm user through the test and let them know that everything is up and running. The user will have the opportunity to test their pendant in different rooms of the house as well as outside in the garden.
Technical Details
- Weight – 572g
- Dimensions – 185mm x 122mm x 41mm (WxLxD)
Read more about the Lifeline Vi alarm unit.
What the buttons do
There are only three buttons on the Lifeline base unit. Each of these buttons has a simple function:
- Red Help Button – This works in the same way as the red pendant button. You can press this button in an emergency to raise an alert call.
- Green Cancel Button – If you press your red button by mistake, there is no need to panic. You can press the green button to cancel the call. Don’t worry if the alarm call isn’t cancelled in time. The Response Team will always be glad to know that you are alright.
- Yellow Home/Away Button – If the alarm user is going away for a long period of time, they can press this Home/Away button. It lets our Response Team know that there is no need to panic if they don’t hear from them in a while.
Read more about the three buttons on the base unit.
MyAmie Pendant
Our standard personal alarm system comes with a Lifeline Vi Alarm Unit and a MyAmie Pendant. The Pendant is small and discreet, which ensures that it can be worn comfortably and won’t attract attention. In fact, the pendant is half the size of the previous model – but the emergency button is a third larger.
You can choose to wear it as a necklace or around the wrist like a watch. Both attachments are included alongside the alarm.
Features of the MyAmie Pendant
- Waterproof – The MyAmie can be worn in the bath or shower, where falls are more likely because of slippery surfaces.
- 100 Metre Range – The pendant will work outside in the garden. It has a range of up to 100 metres, which means that alarm users can still enjoy playing with their grandchildren outside or tending to their garden.
- No Charging – The MyAmie uses batteries, which last around seven years. We will issue replacement batteries before they run out.
The MyAmie Pendant is comfortable to wear. Some users tell us that they never take their pendants off – even when they leave their home. You may also choose to add an additional pendant to your system. One could be for inside the home and the other for the garden. Alternatively, users could leave a spare on their bedside table.
Read more about the MyAmie Pendant.
Vibby Fall Detector
For extra peace of mind, lots of users choose to upgrade to a Fall Detector pendant. The Vibby Fall Detector is sleek, stylish, and technologically advanced. Users can wear it on the wrist or like a necklace, just like the MyAmie pendant. The main difference is that the Vibby can detect when the user suffers a fall and automatically send an alert call to our Response Team – there’s no need to press a button.
The Vibby pendant is compact and comfortable to wear, made from hypoallergenic plastic with a modern white finish. It weighs only 35g and is no bigger than the face of the watch. It’s also waterproof, so you can raise an alert if you fall in the bathroom.
A red LED light will flash to signify that a call has been made to our 24-hour Response Team. The Vibby pendant will also vibrate to confirm that the alarm has been raised. To cancel an alarm call, simply cover the face of the Vibby with your hands or stand up within 20 seconds of the fall.
You can also press the face of the Vibby pendant to raise an alarm call, whether you have fallen or not.
GO GPS Alarm
The latest addition to our range of personal alarms is the cutting-edge GO GPS Alarm. While our standard pendants have an impressive range of 100 metres, the GO GPS alarm gives you even more freedom and flexibility. Instead of a landline connection, the GO connects to the mobile network and uses GPS technology to protect the wearer wherever they go.
The GO GPS Alarm does not require a base unit. Instead, the powerful pendant works by itself and contains a built-in speaker and microphone so the user can communicate with our Response Team. The pendant itself is lightweight and stylish, weighing just 33 grams. It’s around the size of a car key fob. The GO GPS alarm comes with 2 attachments: a hypoallergenic steel chain for wearing around the neck and a split ring for attaching the GO to your keyring.
Just like our other personal alarms, the GO GPS Alarm is incredibly easy to set up. Just plug in the provided wireless charging station and lay the GO down on top. It will start charging automatically. After just a few hours, the GO will be fully charged and ready for use. Then, simply press and hold the two buttons (one on each side of the device) to make your first test call.
The GO GPS Alarm is the most advanced of our personal alarms. It’s perfect for those who want to live an active, independent lifestyle with total peace of mind.
Read more about the GO GPS Alarm.
Lifeline Response Team
All of our alarm users are connected to the Lifeline Response Team. The team operates 24 hours a day, which means that somebody will always respond when you press your pendant. What’s more, the Lifeline Response Centre has received Platinum accreditation from the Telecare Services Association (TSA) for our life-saving service. The TSA is the industry and standards body for Telecare and Telehealth services in the UK.
We use the latest technology to ensure our service is reliable. What’s more, our team have dedicated hotlines to local ambulance services across the country. This speeds up the process even further, ensuring that help will be on its way within a few minutes.
Whenever a user raises the alarm, the Response Team will receive an instant alert. Here’s what happens next:
- A team member will respond within seconds. They will speak with the alarm user over the loudspeaker to see what has happened.
- The Response Team will assess the situation and determine the best course of action.
- The team member will call your emergency contacts (see section below) and explain what has happened. If necessary, they will also notify the emergency services. If the user has provided any medical information, the team will pass this information on to paramedics where appropriate. This places them in the best possible position to help once they arrive on the scene.
- The team member will keep checking on the alarm user to reassure and check on them while they wait for assistance.
- Help will arrive at the front door. With a keysafe installed, paramedics will be able to gain access to the property even if the door is locked.
Read more about the Response Team.
Emergency Contacts
Emergency contacts are an important part of our service. These are the people we will contact when an alarm user presses their alarm and needs help. Our Response Team will call them, inform them of the situation and ask them to travel to the alarm user’s home immediately.
Alarm users select their emergency contacts during the set-up process, but can still change them at a later date. We advise choosing at least two people as emergency contacts. Most people choose one or more of the following:
- Neighbours.
- Family.
- Close Friends.
- Carers.
Ideally, there should be at least one emergency contact who lives reasonably close to the alarm user, so that they can get to the user’s house quickly in an emergency. In an emergency, the Response Team will begin by calling the first emergency contact on the user’s list. If that person does not respond or is unable to attend for any reason, the Response Team will simply move on to the next person on the list. In the rare event that they are unable to contact any of the emergency contacts, they will call the emergency services to provide assistance.
Once the elderly alarm is installed, users will be connected to our Response Team. The highly-trained team operates 24/7, 365 days a year to ensure that our customers always have somebody to call for help.
Read more about Emergency Contacts.
VAT Exemption
Personal alarms are exempt from VAT. As long as the alarm user meets the criteria set by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) there is no need to pay any VAT when you order the alarm.
To qualify for VAT Exemption, the alarm user will need to have a long-term illness, terminal illness or disability. Examples of conditions include:
Read more about VAT exemption.
Personal Alarms – The Myths
There are a few misconceptions about personal alarms that may make some people hesitant to join our life-saving service. Our alarms are quick and easy to install and are very simple to use.
One myth about personal alarms is that they won’t work during a power cut. This isn’t the case. The Lifeline Vi Alarm unit has a back-up battery, which includes 40 hours of charge. Should a power cut occur, this back-up battery will power-up to ensure that you can still press your pendant for help. Once power is restored, the back-up battery will begin to charge once again so that it is ready for the next power cut. Meanwhile, the GO GPS alarm has its own rechargeable battery, which lasts 1-2 months between charges.
Another myth is that you won’t be able to wear your pendant whilst you’re having a bath or shower. In fact, all our alarm pendants are waterproof! This means that if you slip or fall in the bath or shower, you can still press your pendant to raise an alarm with our Response Team.
We’ve debunked the top five myths about personal alarms, which we hope will put minds at ease.
Read more about the myths surrounding our service.
Keysafes
A personal alarm can keep you safe at home. A Keysafe adds an extra layer of security. A Keysafe is a secure metal box that you can attach to the exterior wall of a property. Inside the keysafe, the owner keeps one or more spare keys to their home.
A Keysafe is so much safer than hiding spare keys underneath plant pots and doormats, which can make you vulnerable to thieves who check for keys in spots like these. With a Keysafe, keys will be safely stored behind a secure combination lock.
You can then share this combination with your emergency contacts. You should also pass the code on to the Response Team, who can then share this information with the emergency services during an emergency. This way, paramedics will be able to enter your home quickly and safely to assist you, without causing any costly damage to your property.
There are five Keysafes on offer at Lifeline24:
Looking after people’s well-being
We’ve already discussed how the personal alarm service can help ease the pressure on the NHS, but there are so many more benefits to personal alarms.
Having an alarm at home can boost the user’s confidence and give their loved ones peace of mind. People who live alone no longer have to worry about what might happen if they have an accident. Day or night, somebody will always be there to respond and send help.
As mentioned, personal alarms also reassure families that their loved ones are being looked after. If anything happens, we can notify your family straight away. Lifeline24 provides peace of mind to everybody involved.
We hear great stories through our reviews and case studies about how the Lifeline Alarm has made such a difference. One alarm user, Peter Johnson, had this to say about his personal alarm:
I just feel that I don’t have to worry as much anymore. With me, I have a greater risk of falling with my legs giving way, and if I do then there is just no way of getting back up off the floor. The knowledge that the personal alarm is there, and if something bad does happen that it is there, means that there is no need to worry so much. – Mr. Johnson
Once you join our life-saving service you’ll also be assigned a dedicated account manager. This means that if you have any queries about your account, you’ll be able to give your account manager a direct call and talk about them over the phone.
Have a question? Find out more about the personal alarm
For more information about our life-saving personal alarms, send an email at info@lifeline24.co.uk or speak to one of our friendly advisers on 0800 999 0400. Alternatively, complete our contact us form and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
You can also order your Lifeline alarm online today. All our personal alarms are sent out with free next-day delivery, so you could be up and running within just 24 hours.
Editor’s note: Originally published on 2 October 2017. Updated on 10 May 2021 to include up-to-date information.
Christine Luker says
Does the alarm/box still work in the event of a power cut?
Josh says
Hi Christine,
Thank you for your question.
The personal alarm will still work during a power cut. The alarm has a back-up battery which has a 40-hour charge and this will kick-in should a power cut occur. Once the power cut is over, the back-up battery will then begin to recharge so that it is fully charged once again.
I hope this helps. If you have any further questions please give our team a call on 0800 999 0400. A member of the team will be more than happy to answer your queries. Alternatively you can email your questions to info@lifeline24.co.uk.
Many thanks,
Josh
james Chattaway says
What forme do i need to fill in to activate the system and where can i get this form
Josh says
Hi James,
Once you order your personal alarm you will be given access to both an online and paper version of this form. If you have not received your form please give our team a call on 0800 999 0400.
Many thanks,
Josh
Sue Sharp says
Does your system work if the wearer falls but is unable to press the button?
Josh says
Good morning Sue,
Thank you for your question.
Alongside the standard MyAmie Pendant we also have the Vibby Fall Detector, which is available on an annual plan. The Vibby is worn around the wrist and will automatically send an alert to our Care Team if the wearer has a fall – which means that you don’t have to press the button.
You can read more about the Vibby Fall Detector here: https://www.lifeline24.co.uk/buy-now/vibby-fall-detector/.
I hope this helps. If you have any further questions please give our team a call on 0800 999 0400. A member of the team will be more than happy to answer your queries. Alternatively you can email your questions to info@lifeline24.co.uk.
Many thanks,
Josh
Amanda Pamment says
Hi can someone have one of these if they’re 44 and have a severe mental health disorder and anxiety.
Hannah G says
Good Afternoon Amanda,
Thank you for your comment regarding the Lifeline alarm system. We do have many customers who suffer from various mental health conditions using our service. However, in order to determine whether this system would be suited to the person in question, I would strongly recommend giving a member of our Customer Service team a call on freephone 0800 999 0400. From here, the team will be able to provide the best advice for you as they will be able to establish further information about the situation.
Kind regards,
Hannah
Maria says
If the pendant alarm breaks is there are a charge for replacement?
Hannah G says
Good Morning Maria,
Thank you for your comment regarding the Lifeline alarm system.
There are no moving parts within the pendant and the internal battery has a life of around 7 years so there should not be an occasion where it breaks. If however, in the rare event that the pendant breaks or does not function as intended, there would be no charge for a replacement. Simply inform our Customer Service team and they will be able to get a replacement sent out to you.
I hope this answers your question, however if you require any further information please do get in touch.
Kind regards,
Hannah
Robert Carter says
You say that the speaker in the unit is loud enough to penetrate walls. Is the opposite true, will the receiver pick up the voice of a frail elderly person from an adjacent room?
Hannah G says
Good Morning Robert,
Thank you for your comment regarding the Lifeline alarm system.
The receiver on the alarm unit is extremely sensitive and would pick up the voice of someone in an adjacent room, however if there was other background noise such as a loud television or radio – this may cause some difficulty when it comes to the operator hearing the alarm user. In this situation, the care team would assume that help was required and contact the alarm user’s emergency contacts to attend to them. So rest assured that even in the event that the alarm user cannot be heard clearly help will still be called for them.
I hope that this answers your query, however if you do require any further information please do get in touch.
Kind regards,
Hannah
Robert Carter says
Thanks Hannah, most useful.
Regards, Robert
Hannah G says
Good Afternoon Robert,
You are most welcome! I’m pleased you found my response useful.
If you do find yourself with any further questions about our services, you’re welcome to contact us directly on the blog, via email at info@lifeline24.co.uk or by telephone on freephone 0800 999 0400.
Kind regards,
Hannah
Karen Walker says
I am interested in installing a personal alarm system for my mother. Also the key safe. Do you offer a service where the key safe is installed when we purchase?
I’m interested in cost of the life line with the vibbie fall device also. Could you contact me with a quotation please.
Also do you do a device that works outside the 100m zone?
Hannah G says
Dear Karen,
Thank you for your comment regarding the Lifeline system.
We can offer a key safe installation service at point of order if you so wish, this option is presented to you when choosing which key safe you would like to purchase.
We have a range of options and quotations that we can provide you with, I will arrange for a member of the Customer Service team to be in touch with you.
If you do have any further questions please do get in touch.
Kind regards,
Hannah
Anne Pawsey says
My parents are elderly and insisting on remaining in their own homes. My father has paranoia and is therefore reluctant to pass on keys to anyone!
Are the contacts required to have a key and if not how will the emergency services enter the property in the case of a fall.
Hannah G says
Good Morning Anne,
Thank you for your comment regarding the Lifeline personal alarm system.
I completely understand, many of our customers feel the same way about giving keys out to other people. Have you suggested the possibility of a keysafe to your father at all? Our Supra C500 is one of only two police approved keysafes in the UK and has the same level of protection as a domestic front door. It has been rigorously tested and has a heavy duty locking mechanism using a long-travel bolt making it extremely pry-resistant. It also has a clutch mechanism which prevents the handle from being forced open.
You can read more about the Supra C500 here https://www.lifeline24.co.uk/buy-now/supra-c500/ if you wish to show this to your father.
We do not insist that emergency contacts must be keyholders. However, if none of the emergency contacts have a key, we would require a keysafe to be in place at the property in order to provide access to the emergency services should they be required to attend.
I hope that this answers your query, but should you wish to discuss this further with a member of the team please do get in touch on freephone 0800 999 0400.
Kind regards,
Hannah
vera slater says
thank you i now feel safe with you looking after me many thanks
Vera Slater
brian woodin says
my wife is prone to falls and I am unable to lift her on my own, is this covered on your service.
Hannah G says
Good Morning Brian,
Thank you for your comment regarding the Lifeline personal alarm system.
We do not provide a service whereby representatives from our company can attend your property to assist you or your wife. Instead, we would ask for some emergency contacts, friends, neighbours, family members etc who would be able to attend in the event of an emergency alarm call, for example aiding you in getting your wife back to her feet. Alternatively, we can contact the emergency services on your behalf should they be required.
I hope that this answers your query, however if you do have any further questions please do get in touch with our Customer Service team on 0800 999 0400.
Kind regards,
Hannah
David Williams says
What is the telephone number that is called when the alarm pendant is pressed?
Hannah G says
Good Afternoon David,
Thank you for your comment regarding the Lifeline personal alarm system.
As this is an emergency line, this is not a number that we will publicly disclose on a blog in order to reduce the chance of unnecessary calls being made to the number. However, if you give our Customer Service team a call on freephone 0800 999 0400 and notify them of your account details they will be able to advise you of the number.
Kind regards,
Hannah
Alison says
Can this system be used where the telephone service is provided by internet router, not a landline?
Josh says
Good morning Alison,
Thank you for your message. Unfortunately, our personal alarms only work with analogue telephone lines. However, if you give our team a call on freephone 0800 999 0400, you’ll be able to discuss your options with one of our sales advisers.
I hope this helps.
Kind Regards,
Josh
Angela Edwards says
I have terminal cancer and it is possible I will lose my voice sometime in the future. If I am unable to speak once I have pressed the emergency button, what will happen?
Rachel Curran says
Hello Angela,
Thank you for your comment.
This is a common question and an important one to ask. In the event that your alarm is pressed but you are unable to communicate, our Care Team will follow normal procedure. The first step would be to call your nominated emergency contacts and explain that the alarm has been activated, but they are unable to establish any communication with yourself. The team would ask your contacts if they were available to attend and make sure you were alright.
If your emergency contacts were unavailable, our Care Team would then go on to call an ambulance and ask them to attend.
Our Care Team would have your information available on your customer file, so they would know your health conditions. You can also leave special instructions for the team, so they know exactly how to respond in certain situations that are specific to you.
I hope this information helps but if you have any further questions, please do let us know. You can also contact our customer service team if you would like to discuss anything further.
Kind Regards,
Rachel
Mrs joan gillard says
Sounds just the job!!!
Annette says
Hi
Will my mum need a second phone socket for this item if her landline is already plugged into the phone socket?
Thankyou
Josh says
Good afternoon Annette,
The personal alarm unit is plugged into the existing telephone socket, with the telephone then being plugged into the back of the alarm unit via an adaptor – which is provided alongside the alarm. This means there is no need for your mum to add a second telephone socket. Please see our YouTube video for a demonstration on how the alarm is installed – https://youtu.be/41dqbDnNnGY.
Alternatively, you can call our team on 0800 999 0400. They will be more than happy to answer any questions you have about installation, or any part of our service.
Thanks,
Josh
Helen Tilley says
My Mum has her phone line plugged into her broadband box if we unplug the phone to plug into the alarm box will the broadband still work?
Thanks
Rebecca Laston says
Dear Helen,
Thank you for getting in touch.
Our alarms will work alongside any phones or wifi that you currently have in the property. The alarm will not affect how your broadband works.
Should you require any further assistance with the setup of your alarm system, our friendly technical advisors are able 24hours for your queries.
Please let us know if you require any further assistance.
Kind Regards,
Lifeline24
MR ALFRED T G HOGG says
I would like to know more about a personal alarm system.
Josh says
Hi Alfred,
For further information regarding the personal alarm system please give our friendly customer service team a call on 0800 999 0400. They will be able to answer any further questions you have about our service, and can also guide you through the ordering process over the telephone.
Thanks,
Josh
Don McFarlane says
If I am working in the garden, and consequently nowhere near the loudspeaker device but within say the communicable range of 50m, how do I activate the need for assistance should I fall?
Nicola says
Can the Vibby Fall Detector be worn as a pendant, or only on the wrist? Is it also fully waterproof?
Josh says
Hi Nicola,
The Vibby can be worn around your neck as well as your wrist. Both attachments are included inside the box. The Vibby is also waterproof (up to 1m for 30 minutes. I hope this helps. If you have any further questions please call our customer service team on 0800 999 0400.
Tracy says
Hi
I’m looking at getting the lifeline put in place for my recently widowed grandma as she has never been alone and I’m hopeful that this will give her some confidence. I just have one question- The telephone number that is used, what is the charge for this as I don’t want my relative to get a large bill. Also is the number telephone only utilised when the person presses the alarm or is there an ongoing charge for being connected to your service?
Josh says
Hi Tracy,
There is no on-going telephone charge. Once the personal alarm has been installed, your grandma would simply need to push the help button on her pendant or alarm base unit, and the alarm will dial through to our 24/7 Response Team. There is no charge for making an alarm call. If you require further information, please call our customer service team on freephone 0800 999 0400.
Tracy McDonald says
This is not true my gran has had many charges on her bill. She hasn’t even pressed the button!
We where not notified of this when signing up.
Can this be resolved please.
Josh says
Hi Tracy. Please call our customer service team on 0800 999 0400. They will be able to help solve any issues with your gran’s account. Thank you.
Rick Pitron says
How does this system work if the the person wearing it is unable to press the button?
I`ve seen few tutorials on https://www.youtube.com/
Josh says
Hi Rick,
For people who may be at more risk of a fall or medical problem which could lead to them being unable to push their button, we would advise choosing a fall detector pendant instead. This device automatically detects when the user has fallen, and dials through to our 24/7 Response Team with the user having to press anything. The Response Team will respond instantly and arrange for help. I hope this helps. For further information please call our customer service team on 0800 999 0400.
sheila watkinson says
Am looking at getting one of these for a friend who has no family members or close neighbours how would this work?
Josh says
Hi Sheila,
The alarm user having nobody to act as their emergency contacts is not an issue. In the event of the alarm being activated, our 24/7 Response Team would dial through and speak to your friend through the loudspeaker on the base unit. They would ask if the alarm user is okay and if they require assistance. If they do, our Response Team would call for an ambulance.
I hope this helps. For further information please call our customer service team on 0800 999 0400.
Richard says
Does the unit have to be tested periodically after installation?
Josh says
Hi Richard,
We advise all of our alarm users to test their pendant button on a monthly basis. The alarm’s base unit completes its own automatic test to ensure everything is working correctly.
I hope this helps. Please call our customer service team on 0800 999 0400 for more information about the Lifeline service.
Derek Noton says
I read that your alarm has a range of 100 m. Will conversations be picked up at this range?
Sian says
Hi Derek,
Once the alarm has been activated, voices should be able to be picked up at a long range, as the alarm comes built with a loudspeaker.
However, if you’re ever unsure, our alarm team can always go through a test call, in which the user can walk around the house to test whether they are still able to be heard in certain areas of the house.
I hope this helps!
Mrs smith says
Looking for a alarm for my very elderly mother in law who suffers heart problems what is the monthly cost and the cost of suppling many thanks
I await your reply
Sue
Josh says
Hi Mrs Smith,
There are two price plans available for our personal alarms, a Monthly Plan and an Annual Plan. The Monthly Plan is £12.49 per month. The first three months are paid upfront, alongside a £35 setup fee. The Annual Plan is £154 per year, including the £35 setup fee. With the Annual Plan you get 12 months coverage for the price of nine. Please note that these prices are VAT Exclusive. Alarm users suffering from long-term medical conditions are VAT exempt.
You can learn more about the pricing of our system, and how it works, by giving our customer service team a call for free on 0800 999 0400. They’ll be more than happy to answer any queries, and can take your order over the telephone.
Mrs c tracz says
We initially took up the monthly plan as we were uncertain that my mother would be willing to use the alarm. She is now happy with it and as we continue long term we wonder if there is a cheaper plan we could use?
There appears to be a problem with the box at the moment.the call facility works perfectly but the box appears to be interrupting telephone calls. BT say the line is working fine but Mum’s calls are ringing in the box and she can’t access them on the phone.periodically the phone also cuts out. We have used a new phone but the problem persists.we now feel it must be the box at fault and would like to try a replacement.
Josh says
Hi there,
Our customer service team will be able to help with your pricing options and also with the problems you’re encountering. Please give them a call for free on 0800 999 0400. They’re available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. A member of the team will be more than happy to advise.
Beaulagh says
My mother is disabled with MS and is very hard of hearing so will not be able to hear or answer the responder call, can we still use this service?
Can we have her care team as the first emergency contact or does this have to be next of kin?
Thansk
Sian says
Hi Beaulagh,
Thanks for your question.
This service is of course still available to you. If we are unable to communicate with the alarm user, the emergency contact will be notified as a precaution. The emergency contacts can be whoever is most suitable – be this a family member, neighbour or a carer.
I hope this helps.
claire Potashnick says
My 88 year old mother in law is prone to falls , I’d be very interested in finding out the cost of this please?
Olivia says
Hi Claire,
For our Lifeline Alarm, we have two plans – the Monthly Plan and the Annual Plan. The Monthly Plan is £12.49 a month, with first three months paid upfront, alongside a £35 setup fee. The Annual Plan is £154 per year, including the £35 setup fee. With the Annual Plan you get 12 months coverage for the price of nine. Please note that these prices are VAT Exclusive. Alarm users suffering from long-term medical conditions are VAT exempt.
You can learn more about the pricing of our system, and how it works, by giving our customer service team a call for free on 0800 999 0400. They’ll be more than happy to answer any queries, and can take your order over the telephone or alternatively you can order online!
Kate Green says
Could you please let me know how much a personal alarm is per month. My dad has Parkinson’s disease and has deteriorated recently
Sian says
Hi Kate,
We’re very sorry to hear about your father. With regards to your question, our monthly personal alarm plans start from £12.49 a month, but this is subject to VAT and set-up fees. For more information and a full package summary, please contact our team on 0800 999 0400, who will be able to advise further.
Thanks,
Kim Tull says
Dogwalker692000@yahoo.Co.uk
My question, is this pendant alarm suitable for someone who has dementia?
Sian says
Hi Kim,
We do have many users of the Lifeline alarm who suffer from Dementia – to discuss personal cases and what we can offer, please get in touch with our team by calling 0800 999 0400 who will be able to advise further.
Thanks!
Varatharajah Pirapuram says
I have visited your website @lifeline24.co.uk and read your post about” An In-Depth Look at the Personal Alarm Service”. In your post, you have made some useful points to safeguard live alone people.
Your post helps me to safeguard my parents specially when they live alone from me.
I like the way you have written this article
I have booked mark your site.
Am I allowed to share my post link in this comments section?
I have published a post about
”Tips to stay safe at Home when You’re older and alone?”. I hope it might be of interest to your audience.
Thanks!
V.Pirapuram
jean moore says
Do you come to Clayton le moors
Sian says
Hi Jean,
Thanks for your question.
We serve the entire UK – as we do not come out and install the alarm, it would be a case of you receiving the alarm and installing it yourself (this is very easy to do, and if you are unsure we can talk you through it on the phone.) We will then work with you to test it over the phone and make sure it is set up correctly. If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch on 0800 999 0400.
Wendy says
If a person is hard of hearing, will they be able to hear the response team?
Sian says
Hi Wendy,
The Lifeline Vi Alarm Unit features a loudspeaker, which can be set to be rather loud for those who are hard of hearing, so this should be fine.
Thanks,
Louise Fowler says
What if someone doesn’t have anyone appropriate to be an emergency contact? You keep calling me to help my dad when I’m pregnant, have 4 children in bed asleep and I am registered disabled myself, I live over 10miles away and my partner doesn’t drive. Who is supposed to help my dad when I can not?
Sian says
Hi Louise,
Your father (or anyone who is designated to call on his behalf) can update his emergency contacts at any time by giving our team a call, if you are not the best person to contact in an emergency. Please give our team a call on 0800 999 0400 to discuss this.
Thanks,
Catrina Bangura says
Hi
My Mum had a Piper Lifeline but sadly passed away. Do you want the unit back and how do I return it?
Sian says
Hi Catrina,
We’re very sorry to hear about your mother, our thoughts are with you and your family at this time. When you are ready, if you’d like to get in touch with our team by calling 0800 999 0400, we will be able to discuss returning the alarm unit.
I hope this helps.
William Taylor says
I wonder if a member of your staff would be kind enough to call to inspect my home. I a m a bit concerned about connections, the power and appliance may have to be in different rooms.
Sian says
Hi William,
If you give our team a call on 0800 999 0400, we’ll see how we can help talk you through this.
Thanks,
Denise Mundy says
My son has epilepsy is 45 and lives on his own this alarm seems suitable but aimed at the elderly. Can you advise
Aimee says
Hi Denise,
Thank you for getting in touch.
The Lifeline 24 Personal Alarm is designed specifically to ensure that everyone can live independently and safely in their own home. This service is for anyone, including the elderly and disabled especially.
Spencer Pearson says
The Lifeline Vi Alarm Unit features a loudspeaker, which can be set to be rather loud for those who are hard of hearing, so this should be fine.
Thanks,
kerry says
do u do bed alams so if i have fit it will let my support know when i in one
Sian says
Hi Kerry,
Unfortunately, we do not provide alarms that will monitor whether you have seizures. We offer a personal alarm system which you press if you have fallen or need assistance, which will then prompt our team to call and check on you, and, if necessary, call your emergency contact to come and check on you.
I hope this helps.
Pat Robinson says
I have a MyAmie pendant but would like to replace the neck cord so it can be washed. Can I purchase this separately?
Sian says
Hi Pat,
Please get in touch with our customer service team by calling 0800 999 0400 or by filling in the form on our contact us page, and we’ll see if we can arrange to get another neck cord sent out to you!
https://www.lifeline24.co.uk/contact-us/
Thanks,
Lifeline24 Team
Julie says
My Mother has an alarm & notes from her phone bill that around the 5th of each month, around 10.30 at night a call is registered to the same number that shows on the bill when she does her monthly test on the 23rd. Is the unit performing its own ‘silent’ test?
Sian says
Hi Julie!
The alarm does perform a silent test once a month, sending a signal to the unit and generating a report which allows us to see if there are any faults or issues reported. This lasts about a second and is usually relatively silent so shouldn’t disturb your mother – this does sound like what you are reporting. I hope this helps, but if you have any further questions please do get in touch with our team by calling 0800 999 0400
Thanks,
Ann Fraser says
I would like to use your service, but when in the UK I live in a holiday mobile home whoch does not have a landline. I have a TV but don’t really know how these systems sork.
Is there a way I can be connected to your service?
Sian says
Hi Ann,
Thanks for getting in touch. If you do not have a landline, you may benefit from our GSM alarm – this alarm does not require an active landline to operate, as it operates on a mobile phone network.
For more information, you can visit the product page: https://www.lifeline24.co.uk/gsm-alarms/ or please do feel free to call our friendly team on 0800 999 0400 where we will be able to advise you further.
Thanks!
Avril Kee says
I am the carer/wife for my husband and am with him all of the time. Is it allowed for me to activate the button if we install your system, when my husband falls? I do find the situation very stressful when it happens and do not always think very clearly
Thankyou
Aimee says
Hi Avril,
Yes, we would certainly be able to call for help on your behalf if your husband was in need of assistance. Our operators would ask a few short questions to identify what type of help was required, for example one of his listed contacts or the emergency services, before arranging that help for you.
Best wishes,
Lifeline24
Peter Traynor says
How close does the power socket have to be to the telephone socket
Aimee says
Hi Peter,
The cables used are 3 metres long and need to be directly connected, without any extensions in between the power socket and telephone socket.
Best wishes,
Lifeline24
neil lewis says
please let me have cost details for the pendant alarm
Aimee says
Hi Neil,
We have three different plans available, starting at £12.49 a month (for VAT exempt customers). Our page here lays out all plans available – https://www.lifeline24.co.uk/pricing/. If you have any other questions, please do not hesitate to get in contact with us at 0800 999 0400.
Best Wishes,
Lifeline24
Peter Riches says
Is the iVi fall detector additional to the MyAmie pendant i.e. you would need both, or does the fall detector also do what the My Amie does plus detect falls?
Can the iVi also be worn around the neck or only on the wrist?
Aimee says
Hello Peter,
Our fall detector pendant buttons are similar to the red button pendants, as an individual can press the pendant in the case of an emergency or cancel a false call. Unlike our standard red pendant, the Fall Detector Pendant can automatically send an alert call to the Response Team if the wearer suffers a fall or faints. You would not need both pendants, although some of our customers find it useful to have an additional pendant.
All of our pendants can be worn both on the wrist and around the neck.
If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at info@lifeline24.co.uk or 0800 999 0400.
Best wishes,
Aimee
Sharon Luttrell says
Hi, my elderly mum has has the alarm system for the last year and we are delighted with the wonderful service she gets.
unfortunately she has lost her pendant and in spite of searching her bungalow can’t find it..!!
can we purchase another pendant or does she get a replacement and how do we sort this asap.??
kindest regards
Sharon
Aimee says
Hello Sharon,
We are very happy to hear that you and your mother are happy with the service that we provide at Lifeline24. If your pendant is still missing, we advise that you buy a replacement pendant. To do so, please call us on 0800 999 0400 and our customer service team will be able to help you.
Best wishes,
Lifeline24
Heidi Owen says
hello my name is Heidi and i have my mum living with me, she is 77 and has arthritis ,i work full time so she spends quite a lot of time on her own,my mum has fallen in the past and lucky i have been around to help her up but i am afraid that if she falls when i am working i will not know, so i just wondering if she applies for the life line.
My mum is also on pension credit so will this mean she will still have to pay of the use of the life line.
thank you for taken the time to read my message.
Aimee says
Hi Heidi,
If you are afraid of your mother falling when you are working, we highly recommend that you get in contact with our team to find out more about our Personal Alarm plans today. If you call us on 0800 999 0400 or info@lifeline24.co.uk, our team will be able to help you.
Best wishes,
Lifeline24
Doreen Condlyffe says
I am thinking of having a personal alarm, do you have any brochures or do reps call to discuss?
Aimee says
Hi Doreen,
If you call us on 0800 999 0400, a member of our Customer Service Team will be able to answer any questions that you have regarding our personal alarm plans.
Best wishes,
Lifeline24
John Smith says
Does the telephone socket have to be the primary socket, or can it plug into an extension?
Thanks
Aimee says
Hi John,
The Lifeline24 base unit needs to be in the main telephone point where it comes into the property, rather than an extension. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch with our team.
Best wishes,
Lifeline24
Anni Matthews says
Hi There,
I am looking for a affordable alarm for my Mum who lives alone, she is 84yrs old and seems to qualify for VAT exemption on the basis she has quite a few of the conditions listed and more.
How does this work in terms of price ect.
Please could you advise further.
Kind Regards
Anni Matthews.
Aimee says
Hi Doreen,
If believe that your mother is VAT exempt, you will be able to order the Lifeline24 personal alarm plan at a lower cost as VAT will be taken off the price. You can head to https://www.lifeline24.co.uk/vat-exemption/ to find out more or call us on 0800 999 0400, and a member of our Customer Service Team will be able to help you.
Best wishes,
Lifeline24
Linda Jones says
Good evening.
Are you able to send a printed brochure directly to the lady who is interested in having one of your alarms? She doesn’t have access to the internet and would prefer to read about your product before she purchases it.
Thank you.
L Jones
Aimee says
Hi Linda,
We very much understand and can certainly arrange this. A member of our team has sent you an email to confirm the delivery address, and then we will be able to post our Information Pack as requested.
If you have any other questions, please do not hesitate to get in contact.
Best wishes,
Lifeline24
Sue Taylor says
Good morning, I am interested in a personal alarm for my elderly mother who has just had her 2nd heart attack and lives alone. Can you tell me how the system works if she is upstairs and needs help as the base unit would be situated downstairs.?
Many thanks
Sue
Aimee says
Hi Sue,
If the alarm was activated and we couldn’t hear your mother, we would follow the ‘no response process’. Firstly, we would call your mother back on the home phone and if applicable their mobile phone a few times. If there was no answer, we would then call through your mother’s list of emergency contacts and ask someone to attend. Should nobody be able to attend, we would then call an ambulance for a welfare check and leave a voicemail with NOK notifying them of such.
I hope that this helps. Please do not hesitate to get in contact with any further questions.
Best wishes,
Lifeline24
Paul Chaston says
If the unit developed a fault and stopped working, say on a Friday morning. How would the problem be rectified? How long would we be without a working panic button?
Rebecca Laston says
Hello Paul,
Thank you for getting in touch.
All of our equipment is provided on a rental basis, this means that should the unit develop a fault replacement equipment will be sent out immediately for next day delivery. Our technical team are on hand 24hours a day to help resolve any issues that may arise.
Should there be a low battery or fault with the unit, the box will send an alert through to our Alarm Response Centre who will contact the user or their contacts to advise of the problem.
Additionally, we request our users press their alarm once a month to check-in with our team and test the system.
I hope this has provided further clarity. If you have any other questions, please do not hesitate to get in contact.
Best Wishes,
Lifeline24
Kathryn Bradshaw says
I have a landline for my internet but don’t have a phone connected I only have my mobile will I have to buy a phone to connect it to
Rebecca Laston says
Hello Kathryn,
Thank you for your query.
The alarm system requires a working landline that can make outbound calls. The system does not require a telephone handset to be plugged into it.
For more information please visit:https://www.lifeline24.co.uk/installing-your-lifeline-alarm/
Should you have any further queries please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Kind Regards,
Lifeline24
Mrs j m matkin says
I’ve been looking at your products. It says that the alarm has to be plugged into the phone socket. Our sky tv/ Internet is plugged into the phone line so how does this work with the alarm system?
Agnes says
Very informative blog! I have a question on how long does the set up take?
Rebecca Laston says
Hello Agnes,
Thank you for getting in touch. I am pleased to hear you have found our blog to be helpful!
All our alarms are sent via Royal Mail tracked 24-hour post. If you order by the end of the working day it will arrive the very next day.
You will also need to complete our New Customer Form before using the alarm, but you can do this online while the alarm is on its way. Once you’ve placed your order, our Customer Service Team will give you all the help and information you need.
Once you receive the system it is just a case of simply plugging it in and you’re ready to go! For more information on installing your alarm please visit: https://www.lifeline24.co.uk/installing-your-lifeline-alarm/.
If you require any further assistance please do not hesitate to get in touch!
Kind Regards,
Lifeline24
Lynda potter says
Hi, Do you do a information pack/brochure please?
Rebecca Laston says
Dear Lynda,
Thank you for getting in contact today.
As requested I have sent an information pack to the email address you have provided.
We can also post out an information pack out to you. Should you wish to organise this, please call our friendly Customer Service team on 0800 999 0400 or email us at info@lifeline24.co.uk.
Kind Regards,
Lifeline24
Sonia says
If family member can’t be notified or
Can’t attend what would the next step be if client has raised alarm and no answer to your voice responses
Rebecca Laston says
Hello Sonia,
Thank you for your question.
In the event that we are unable to reach any family members or nominated contacts, we will call the emergency services.
As long as the button has been pressed we will ensure the call is followed up until we receive verbal confirmation that the user is safe.
Please let us know if we can be of any further assistance. You can contact our friendly Customer Service team on 0800 999 0400 or email us at info@lifeline24.co.uk.
Kind Regards,
Lifeline24
Ralph H Bagnall-Wild says
I am seroiusly considering buying a personal alarm with Burton Keyguard. I do have one qestion, Does the purchase tie me to a contract for a considerable time ?
Rebecca Laston says
Dear Ralph,
Thank you for your query.
Our minimum term is 3months. You can take out our plans either for the year upfront, or pay quarterly every 3 months.
I have emailed you over more information about our different plans and pricing.
Please let us know if we can be of any further assistance. You can contact our friendly Customer Service team on 0800 999 0400 or email us at info@lifeline24.co.uk.
Kind Regards,
Lifeline24
Sylvia Sinclair says
Are they expensive. My housing association does not supply them
Rebecca Laston says
Hello Sylvia,
Thank you for your comment.
We do our best to make our service as cost-effective and accessible to everyone as possible. Our systems start from £12.49 per month.
If you would like to discuss which plan would be best for you, please contact our friendly Customer Service team on 0800 999 0400 or by emailing info@lifeline24.co.uk.
Kind Regards,
Lifeline24
Patriocia says
Correct name to Patricia (mis=spelt) I am trying to order a keysafe. How do I proceed\?
Rebecca Laston says
Hello Patricia,
Thank you for getting in contact.
Should you wish to order a keysafe you can visit: https://www.lifeline24.co.uk/pricing/key-safes/.
Alternatively, you can our friendly Customer Service team on 0800 999 0400.
Please let us know if you require any further assistance.
Kind Regards,
Lifeline24
Gwyneth says
Is it possible to change the key safe number
Rebecca Laston says
Hello Gwyneth,
Thank you for your comment.
You are more than welcome to change your key safe code as often as you wish.
However, we do request that let inform us if you are to do so so we can ensure our records are up to date.
Should you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Kind Regards,
Lifeline24
Steph says
Hi, I need a best solution for aged stubborn, forgetful and fragile aunt, wrist activated preferably alarm with fall alert, please can you advise best option. Thanks Steph
Rebecca Laston says
Hello Steph,
Thank you for your comment.
We do have several different options that may be suitable for your aunt.
For further information on our Fall Detector plan please visit: https://www.lifeline24.co.uk/buy-now/vibby-fall-detector-annual-plan/.
Alternatively, we offer an upgrade GPS plan which can be used and home and on the go with a built-in speaker and microphone. You can visit this option here:https://www.lifeline24.co.uk/buy-now/go-gps-alarm/.
If you require any further information or wish to have an in-depth conversation about the different options we can provide, please call our friendly Customer Service team on 0800 999 0400.
Kind Regards,
Lifeline24.
Trefor Owen says
Hi, if bought can i cancel the contract at any time
Rebecca Laston says
Hello,
Thank you for your comment.
You can cancel your account at any time by simply contacting our friendly Customer Serive team.
Please let us know if you have any further queries.
Thank you,
Lifeline24
Stuart Carley says
Can you tell me what telephone number is used for dialling the call centre. Is this number a 0845 or similar premium rate number?
Rebecca Laston says
Hello Stuart,
Thank you for your query.
We do not use a premium rate number for the alarm system. Whilst we will never charge you for using the system, any calls will appear on your phone statement as a standard rate phone call.
Please let us know if you have any further queries.
Kind Regards,
Lifeline24
Juliette cook says
Is it possible to send my mother a brochure or some information to this email.
Thanks
Rebecca Laston says
Dear Juliette,
Thank you for your comment.
I have sent out information to the email address you have provided.
Should you require any further assistance, or wish to request a needs assessment with one of our friendly Customer Service team please call us on 0800 999 0400.
Kind Regards,
Lifeline24