In Newcastle, Terry grew concerned after not seeing her 83-year-old neighbour for more than a day, something unusual in their normally close routine. When she went to check on her, she found the elderly woman on the floor with a broken hip, unable to stand or reach the phone. She had been there for hours with no way to call for help.
The experience left a lasting impact on Terry.
“That never should have happened,” she said. “With the right safety device, help could have arrived much sooner.”
A fall can be a serious, life-threatening event for Australians over 65. According to the Australia and New Zealand Falls Prevention Society, nearly one in three elderly Australians falls every year. Hundreds of thousands of seniors living alone face a potentially fatal situation if they fall in their home.
The Real Impact of Fall Statistics on Elderly Australians
Elderly people falling in their homes and being unable to call for help is something industry experts have heard countless times.
Personal Alarms Australia specializes in personal alarms for elderly. The devices detect if an elderly person falls and immediately connect them to emergency contacts. Unfortunately, not many families know these devices exist and only find out after a fall.
The scariest part isn’t always the fall itself; it’s lying there for hours or even days, unable to call for help. We get calls from families after incidents happen, and they always say the same thing: ‘I wish we’d known about this sooner,'” a representative from Personal Alarms Australia says.
The technology has improved over time. Modern personal alarm systems feature automatic fall detection, GPS tracking, and two-way communication. A decade ago, personal alarm systems just had a simple “help” button.
A woman named Jenny was concerned when an elderly neighbour announced he wanted to leave a nursing home and return to his own home.
“The personal alarm with fall detection gave us the confidence we needed. He’s been safely independent ever since,” Jenny shares.
Government Funding Options for Personal Alarms in Australia
Australian government programs make these life-saving devices available to people at little to no cost, but many don’t know this. Funding is available for eligible seniors through the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP), Home Care Packages, and the NDIS. All these programs have funding for personal alarms.
When Garry’s mother had chest pains during the night, she didn’t want to worry anyone. Concerned after that incident, Garry looked at personal alarms.
I researched options and found that she qualified for assistance through her Home Care Package. Within a week of getting her personal alarm, she had another episode and fell. The device contacted me immediately, and I could talk to her through it,” Garry explains.
Some older people want to be safe, but don’t want to wear the usual emergency button because of the stigma. Active seniors like the medical alert watch because it doesn’t look like a personal alarm. These devices are comfortable to wear every day and have advanced fall detection and GPS tracking.
How Personal Alarm Technology Supports Safe and Independent Ageing
It can be hard for families to navigate the various care options for elderly members. Understanding the available technology can be the difference between placing someone in a nursing home and keeping them at home. According to research, most older Australians want to stay in their own homes.
Personal Alarms Australia also offers big button mobile phones for seniors who have difficulty using standard smartphone interfaces. This is a commonly overlooked need, and flip phones give older users a way to communicate without being frustrated.
As Australia’s population ages, the technology to keep them safe will continue to evolve. Technology and government support can help keep seniors safe and independent.
We’re not trying to scare people, but the data shows that falls are a significant risk for older Australians. What we want people to know is that affordable, effective solutions exist, often covered by government funding. You don’t have to wait for something bad to happen before taking action,” a spokesperson for Personal Alarms Australia says.
What the Data Reveals About Fall Risks for Older Australians
Falls remain one of the biggest risks to seniors, but the solutions to the problem are improving. Government programs like NDIS and Home Care packages have made personal alarms affordable for families who want to protect their elderly loved ones and support them in living independently.
Tens of thousands of Australians are already using personal alarms. Real-world evidence shows that a quick response after a fall helps, and early care during medical emergencies helps prevent serious outcomes. It is clear that proactive action, technology, and government funding help improve safety for seniors and give their families and friends peace of mind.
About Personal Alarms Australia
Personal Alarms Australia is a 100% Australian owned business based in Salamander Bay, NSW. The company specializes in affordable personal alarm solutions, including fall-detection devices, medical alert watches, and large-button mobile phones. Many products qualify for NDIS and Home Care Package funding.
