Monitored vs auto‑dial personal alarms: Which personal alarm is safer?

What is a personal alarm and how does It help in an emergency?

When an emergency happens, every second counts. In those critical moments, you shouldn't have to worry about who can help or how quickly assistance will arrive. That's where a personal alarm can make all the difference.

A personal alarm is a wearable emergency device, typically worn as a pendant, wristwatch, or wristband, that allows you to call for help at the press of a button. Designed to provide fast access to assistance, personal alarms can be especially valuable for older adults, people living alone, those at risk of falls, and anyone managing ongoing health conditions.

Many modern personal alarms include advanced safety features such as:

• Fall detection
• GPS location tracking
• Two-way voice communication
• Waterproof or water-resistant design

These features help ensure that help can be contacted quickly, whether you're at home or on the go, providing greater safety, independence, and peace of mind.

The importance of quick access to assistance cannot be overstated. Falls are one of the leading causes of injury-related hospitalisations among older Australians, making reliable emergency support essential when every minute matters.

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What types of personal alarms are available?

Many people don't realise there are two very different types of personal alarms available: monitored personal alarms and auto-dial personal alarms.

While both are designed to get help in an emergency, the way they work, and the level of support they provide, can be vastly different.

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Monitored personal alarms

A monitored personal alarm connects directly to a professional 24/7 emergency monitoring centre when the alarm is activated. Trained operators assess the situation, communicate with the user if possible, and arrange the most appropriate response, whether that's contacting family members, carers, neighbours, or emergency services.

Because a monitoring team is always available, monitored alarms provide an extra layer of support and reassurance when every second counts.

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Auto-dial personal alarms

Auto-dial personal alarms, also known as non-monitored, self-monitored, or family-monitored alarms, work differently. Instead of connecting to a monitoring centre, they automatically send a call or text message to pre-selected contacts when the alarm is activated.

While this may sound reassuring, these alarms rely entirely on someone receiving the alert, answering their phone, being available, and knowing what action to take. If a contact misses the call, has their phone switched off, or is unable to respond, help may be delayed.

The risks associated with auto-dial alarms received national attention in 2023 when they were featured in the CHOICE Shonky Awards. CHOICE criticised several auto-dial personal alarms for being unreliable and difficult to use, stating: "An emergency device that you can't rely on in an emergency? Sounds pretty shonky to us."

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Monitored vs auto-dial personal alarms: What's the actual difference?

The biggest difference between a monitored personal alarm and an auto-dial personal alarm is who responds when help is needed.

→ A monitored personal alarm connects you to a professional emergency response team.

→ An auto-dial personal alarm connects you to family or friends and relies on them to respond.

Both types of alarms can provide reassurance, but the level of support available during an emergency is very different.

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Understanding the limitations of auto-dial personal alarms

Auto-dial personal alarms can be a suitable option for some people, but it's important to understand how they work and the potential limitations during an emergency.

• Family and friends may not always be available to answer a call or text alert, especially if they're asleep, at work, travelling or in areas with poor mobile reception.
• There is no professional monitoring service assessing the situation or coordinating an emergency response.
• Loved ones are responsible for deciding what action to take, which can be stressful in a high-pressure situation.
• Help may be delayed if alerts are missed, unanswered or not recognised as urgent.
• Some devices require the user to communicate their situation and location, which may be difficult if they are injured, unwell or unable to speak.

Understanding these limitations can help you make an informed decision about whether an auto-dial personal alarm provides the level of support and reassurance you're looking for.

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Which option is right for you?

Monitored personal alarms connect you to trained emergency responders who can assess the situation, coordinate the right assistance and provide support during an emergency. They help close care gaps by ensuring help is available 24/7, while reducing the pressure on family and friends to always be available in case something goes wrong.

Monitored personal alarms are recommended for people with higher care needs, including those who:
- are at risk of falls
- live with chronic conditions such as diabetes, arthritis, osteoporosis, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.
- live alone or spend a lot of time alone
- don't have a support network or family that live nearby

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Auto-dial personal alarms can alert family or friends, but the response relies on them being available, answering the alert and deciding what action to take. Unlike a monitored alarm, there is no dedicated response team available 24/7, which can leave families carrying much of the responsibility during an emergency.

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Why a monitored personal alarm is worth the investment

When comparing personal alarms, it's natural to look at the price. However, the real difference isn't the alarm itself. It's the level of support available when an emergency happens.

While auto-dial alarms may appear less expensive because they don't have a monthly monitoring fee, they also don't provide a guaranteed response for every alert. So if this is the value you're placing on your life that's fine.

With a monitored alarm, you're not relying on chance. Every alert is answered quickly by a service designed specifically to respond when you need help most.

For many people, this also helps relieve the pressure on family and friends. Loved ones can feel reassured knowing that a professional team is available around the clock, rather than feeling responsible for being constantly on call in case of an emergency.

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Funding pathways for personal alarms

The cost of a monitored personal alarm may be lower than you think. Depending on your circumstances, funding for MePACS alarms may be available through:

• Support at Home (SaH)
• The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
• Personal Alert Victoria (PAV)
• Personal Alert AssistanceSA (PAASA)

Funding eligibility varies, but many Australians are able to access monitored personal alarms with some or all of the cost, including the monitoring fees covered.

At the end of the day, a personal alarm is more than a device. It's the response behind it that matters. While auto-dial alarms can notify family and friends, a monitored personal alarm provides something many people value most: professional, reliable help when it's really needed and genuine peace of mind for them and their loved ones.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which type of personal alarm provides the most support in an emergency?

Monitored personal alarms generally provide the highest level of support because every alert is handled by a trained emergency response team that can assess the situation and coordinate appropriate assistance.

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Are monitored personal alarms worth the extra cost?

Many people feel the additional cost is worth it because monitored alarms provide access to trained emergency responders 24 hours a day. They can assess the situation, coordinate assistance and arrange help even if you're unable to speak.

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What happens if I press my monitored personal alarm by accident?

Accidental activations are common. If you activate your alarm unintentionally, the monitoring team will simply check that you're safe and confirm that no assistance is required.

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What happens if I can't speak after activating my alarm?

With a monitored personal alarm, responders can often access your personal and medical information and use location information to help coordinate assistance. Auto-dial alarms generally rely on the user or their contacts being able to communicate the situation.

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Can an auto-dial personal alarm call Triple Zero?

Some auto-dial alarms can dial Triple Zero. However, in many cases the user must be able to speak, explain the emergency and provide their location before help can be dispatched.

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Do monitored personal alarms work outside the home?

Home Alarms work within your home and around an average-sized front and back garden. For protection beyond the home, MePACS offers community monitored personal alarms, including the Solo Watch and Mobile Alarm. These devices use mobile network connectivity and feature GPS location tracking and two-way communication, so they work both at home and while you're out and about.

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Can a personal alarm detect a fall automatically?

Some personal alarms include automatic fall detection technology that may detect certain hard falls and automatically raise an alert, even if the user is unable to press the emergency button.

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Visit our FAQ page for more related topics.

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