Your Personal Alarm Questions Answered

Personal alarms offer users the freedom to live independently in their own home, safe in the knowledge that if there is an accident or they have a fall, they can get help quickly. However, there are several myths surrounding personal alarms, how they work, and how effective they are. We've addressed some of the most commonly asked questions to enable potential users, and their loved ones, to better understand the benefits of personal alarms.

Will my personal alarm work while I'm in the garden?

The personal alarm pendant or wristband has been created to give you peace of mind when you’re at home, including when you’re out in the garden. In fact, a large portion of the calls that the Emergency Resolution team receive are related to accidents that occur outside, which is why it’s important to wear your personal alarm at all times.

Age Co offers two types of personal alarms to suit different lifestyles. The In-Home Personal Alarm has a range of up to 300 metres from the base unit, giving you coverage in your home and garden. The Anywhere Personal Alarm works UK-wide, using GPS and mobile technology to keep you connected wherever you go.

If you press the button in an emergency and if the operator is not able to hear you, or if they don’t hear a response from you, they will send one of your named contacts to check on you. If the situation is more serious, the operator will request the emergency services for you.

I've heard personal alarms are clunky and uncomfortable, is this true?

Personal alarms are designed to be as discreet and comfortable as possible and fit seamlessly into your daily routine. You have the flexibility to wear it around your neck as a pendant or on your wrist like a bracelet. For optimal functionality, it's important to wear the alarm outside your clothing, ensuring it remains accessible and effective when needed.

If you have specific medical conditions or mobility considerations, it's advisable to consult with your healthcare provider or the Taking Care customer service team, providers of the Age Co alarms service, to determine the most suitable way to wear the device. Many of Age Co’s alarms are water resistant, allowing them to be worn in the bathroom or while you’re doing the washing up.

What happens if I press my personal alarm accidently?

If you press your personal alarm by accident, simply inform the staff at the response centre that it was a mistake and that you don’t require any assistance. How the operator contacts you depends on the type of alarm you have:

• In-home alarms: If the operator can’t hear you, they will try calling your landline or mobile number. If there’s still no response, one of your keyholders may be asked to check on you.
• Out-and-about alarms with two-way communication: The operator can speak directly to you through your pendant or wearable device wherever you are in the UK. If they don’t get a response, they will contact your pre-approved keyholders or, if necessary, the emergency services.

The Emergency Resolution team understands that accidental calls can happen from time to time, so there’s no need to worry if you press your alarm by mistake. It’s completely normal and part of making sure your alarm is working as it should. When it comes to responding to calls, we believe it’s always better to be safe than sorry, and the team will always carry out the necessary checks to make sure you’re safe and well.

Will a key safe leave my home vulnerable to burglary?

The Supra C500 Pro KeySafe™ model supplied to Age Co Personal Alarm customers is incredibly secure and has the same official security rating as a domestic front door. This rating means it has been independently tested to meet police-approved security standards, providing strong protection against forced entry and ensuring that only trusted individuals can access your keys.

By having a key safe installed along with your personal alarm, the emergency services can gain access to your home without having to break in or damage your doorway. To ensure this works effectively, it’s important that you provide the key safe access code to the Taking Care Emergency Resolution team. What’s more, if your keyholders are unavailable, someone else you trust who has been given the code can still provide assistance.

Will my personal alarm work if I have a power cut?

Many Age Co Personal Alarms come with a base unit. This base unit is plugged into a mains socket and includes a backup battery that can run for up to 40 hours, ensuring the system remains operational even during a power cut. For example, the Digital Personal Alarm and Digital Fall Alarm are designed for use around the home and garden, and they operate via the base unit.

On the other hand, the Out‑and‑about models, like Taking Care Anywhere and Taking Care GO, may operate with or without a traditional base unit, because they rely on mobile network or GPS connectivity to work across the UK. These SIM‑based devices still offer full emergency monitoring: if you’re out and about, they connect directly to the monitoring centre through the network rather than a fixed base unit.

Choosing the right personal alarm can help you feel safe and confident in your own home. A base unit model gives you dependable coverage throughout your home and garden, with a long‑lasting backup battery to keep you protected during power cuts. If you prefer more freedom, a mobile or GPS model works wherever there is a mobile signal, while still offering continuous 24‑hour monitoring so you know help is always available when you need it.

The Emergency Resolution team will receive a signal from your alarm if your power stays down for more than 2 hours and will continue to receive alerts every 4 hours until the power is restored. If your battery runs low before power is restored, then the Emergency Resolution team will receive an alert and contact you or your keyholder to let them know that your alarm will shortly stop functioning.

Will my personal alarm work in the bath or shower?

We recommend wearing your Age Co Personal Alarm at all times, including in the bath or shower, where slips and accidents are unfortunately common. Most of our pendants are water-resistant or waterproof:

• Digital Personal Alarm pendant – waterproof up to 1.5 metres/4.9ft for 30 minutes (IP68 standard).
• Digital Fall Alarm pendant – water-resistant up to 1 metre for 30 minutes (IP67 standard).
• Taking Care Anywhere pendants – water-resistant up to 1 metre/3.3ft for 30 minutes, with backup pendants waterproof up to 1.5 metres/4.9ft.
• Taking Care GO pendant – water-resistant up to 1 metre/3.3ft for 30 minutes.

Always ensure you select a model that matches your lifestyle and needs so your personal alarm remains effective in every situation. If you’re unsure which model is right for you or would like advice tailored to your circumstances, don’t hesitate to get in touch with the Taking Care team to discuss your options.

Can I get a free personal alarm from my local council?

The availability and cost of personal alarms services will depend on your location. Some local councils do offer a free service to residents who meet certain age, disability or financial criteria.

Others provide a paid for personal alarm service with costs varying by location, while some other councils don't offer any service at all. Age Co Personal Alarms are available anywhere in the country and are offered at a fixed price regardless of health, age or location.

Is it better to use a mobile phone rather than a personal alarm?

Having a mobile phone is great for keeping in touch with loved ones and can be just as useful as a personal alarm in an emergency. However, a mobile phone has its limitations as you would need to constantly carry your mobile phone, keep it charged and remember the phone numbers to call in an emergency.

A personal alarm can be worn 24/7 and works with a single button press. Many personal alarms don’t need charging and can safeguard you in situations when your phone might not, such as midnight bathroom visits. You don’t have to remember any phone numbers to call, and some personal alarms even come with built-in fall detection, which mobiles don’t offer. This ensures that the Emergency Resolution team can be contacted automatically if you fall, giving extra reassurance.

What if a loved one refuses to wear a personal alarm?

There can be stigma about wearing a personal alarm, as some don't like to consider themselves in need of support, or that they're more likely to suffer a fall as the body ages. Personal alarms are there to help people retain their independence for longer, and provide assurance that help is a touch of a button away should anything unexpected occur.

Age Co Personal Alarms are designed to be discreet and comfortable enough to wear 24/7, so users quickly become accustomed to wearing the device. Many customers, who express doubts about wearing a personal alarm at first, find that these doubts are quickly replaced by the feeling of security their alarm brings to them.

Can you take a personal alarm with you if you move?

If you are moving within the UK, you simply need to tell the Taking Care customer service team your new address, telephone numbers and any change to keyholders. Your service will then continue to work as usual with no downtime.

When you move, the Taking Care team can guide you on how to set up your personal alarm in your new home. This ensures your service continues seamlessly, whether your alarm uses a base unit or is a mobile/GPS model, giving you uninterrupted protection and peace of mind. Unfortunately, if you are moving abroad, you will not be able to take your personal alarm service with you.

Summary

Age Co Personal Alarms are simple to use, discreet, and designed to give peace of mind to both users and their loved ones. Our range includes alarms for use at home, in the garden, and when out and about, ensuring you’re always connected in an emergency. They:

Work throughout the home and garden, or across the UK with GPS-enabled Anywhere alarms.

• Connect you to a 24/7 Emergency Resolution team if you fall or feel unwell.
• Can be worn comfortably day and night; most models are water-resistant and can be worn in the bath or shower.
• Continue to function during power cuts.
• Provide secure home access with a strong, police-approved key safe.

For many, they’re not just about safety but about maintaining independence and the reassurance of knowing that help is never far away.