Choosing a Personal Alarm for an Elderly Parent: Keyring or Monitored?

If you are searching for a personal alarm for an older parent, you will find two very different products under the same name. Picking the right one comes down to where they need help: out and about, or at home.

Keyring alarms

Small, loud and carried when out: a siren and light to draw attention nearby. No monthly fee, no app. They do not call anyone and do not detect falls.

Monitored pendants

Worn at home and linked to a 24/7 response centre, often with fall detection. There is usually a monthly subscription.

Five questions that decide it

1. Do they live alone?
2. Have they had a fall, or are they at risk of one?
3. Would they be able to reach a phone in an emergency at home?
4. Are they still active and out on their own?
5. Will they actually carry or wear it?

Yes to 1 to 3 points towards a monitored pendant. Yes to 4 and 5 points towards a keyring alarm. Many families use both.

Making it stick

Choose something simple and familiar. Clip it to the keys they already carry and show them the quiet test so it does not feel alarming to use.

More on our elderly parents page.

Ashley Alarm 2 has a 130dB+ siren, a 200-lumen strobe and USB charging, and is carried by 130,000+ women. See Ashley Alarm 2.