Personal alarms are a well-established method of keeping older people and those with disabilities safe in their own homes. Falls are now the most common cause of hospital admissions among older people. Should you have a fall, you simply press your pendant and our Response Team will arrange help instantly.
According to the NHS, around one in three older people who live at home will suffer at least one fall a year, with half of these people having even more frequent falls. Therefore, having a personal alarm in your home is very wise, especially if you live alone.
Despite these clear benefits, we know that personal alarms are subject to a few misconceptions. We don’t want anyone to be hesitant about this life-saving service, so here is a list of the top 5 myths about personal alarms.
Myth 1: The Lifeline Pendant is ugly/heavy/uncomfortable
This may have been true in the past but certainly isn’t anymore. 20 years ago, Lifeline pendants were very bulky, much like the other electronics of the day (mobile phones are perhaps the best example).
Modern devices on the other hand, such as our MyAmie Pendant, are the exact opposite of this. The MyAmie weighs 7 grams, is about the size of a watch face, and can be worn comfortably around the wrist or as a necklace. The alarm package includes both attachments, so the choice is yours.
In fact, the design is so discreet, many of our customers choose to keep their pendants on even when they leave their home. The pendant’s size also means that it can easily be tucked up your sleeve or underneath your top.
Myth 2: The Lifeline Pendant can’t be worn in the shower
This is another hang-up from days gone by. The MyAmie Pendant is waterproof so you can wear it in the shower, while washing up, or even in the bath. This is crucial, as getting in and out of the bath can cause older people some problems.
The slippery nature of the bathroom increases the risk of a fall. Although your pendant will work in the bathroom, we would advise that you take a look at our home safety guide to see how you can reduce the risk of a fall. You can also find our top safety tips for the bathroom here.
The pendant’s waterproof feature and comfortable design mean that there really is no reason to ever take your pendant off.
Myth 3: The Personal Alarm won’t work during a power cut
The personal alarm will still work should a power cut occur. The Lifeline Vi Alarm unit has a back-up battery, which can power the alarm for 40 hours. In the event of a power cut, this back-up battery will kick in automatically. This ensures that you can still press your pendant and connect to our Response Team in an emergency situation.
Once power is restored, the back-up battery will begin to charge up again, so that it is ready to work if a power cut occurs again.
Myth 4: Personal Alarms don’t work outside
The MyAmie Pendant has a massive range of up to 100 metres. This is more than enough to cover most people’s entire house and garden. This means the alarm user has protection even when doing things like gardening, emptying the bins and collecting the post.
This function also allows you to continue having fun with your grandchildren during the summer months. There’s no need to worry about what could happen if you feel unwell or trip over outside, as help will always be there for you.
Myth 5: Personal Alarms are difficult to install
Once again, modern technology has come to the rescue. The Lifeline Vi Alarm unit is as easy to install as a telephone. It simply plugs into your existing telephone socket and a power socket. Then you simply need to connect your telephone to the alarm unit, using the adapter provided.
Most of our customers can do this within a few minutes of their personal alarm arriving. In fact, thanks to our free next-day delivery service, your new alarm could be up and running within 24 hours of placing your order.
Once everything is connected, you can press the red button on the base unit and the Response Team will take you through your alarm’s first test call. Once complete, you will be covered 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Remember your personal alarm has a back-up battery, with a 40 hour charge, that will kick-in during a power cut.
Have a question? Find out more about the personal alarm
For more information on purchasing one of our life-saving personal alarms please speak to one of our friendly advisors on 0800 999 0400. Alternatively, complete our Contact Us form and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
Don’t forget that more than 90% of our customers are VAT-exempt. This means that you likely won’t have to pay any VAT on your Lifeline alarm. To find out more, read our helpful guide to VAT exemption.
Alternatively you can have a read of our in-depth guide to the personal alarm.
Editor’s Note: this article was updated on 29 June 2020.
Originally published 15 May 2018
