When you’re out and about, whether it’s shopping, meeting friends, or enjoying a holiday, the thought of a medical emergency isn’t always top of mind. However, having a monitored personal mobile alarm can make all the difference when you need a fast emergency response.
A personal alarm for the home, typically featuring a small pendant with a help button, is a familiar concept to many. Similarly, a mobile personal alarm functions as a portable version of this device, allowing you to carry it with you wherever you go. Its compact and lightweight design is both discreet and convenient whether you’re running errands or traveling around Australia.
In this guide, we share all the essential details about the mobile alarm, including features, benefits and funding options. Keep reading to learn more!
Skip to a section in our Mobile Alarm Guide
What is a Mobile Alarm?
The two types of mobile alarm
Mobile Alarms features and benefits
Funding options for Mobile Alarms in Australia
How is the Mobile Alarm installed
What is the best Mobile Alarm?
Where to buy a Mobile Alarm?
What is a Mobile Alarm?
A mobile alarm is a portable safety device designed to provide fast assistance in case of emergencies, especially for seniors and individuals with medical conditions. It features a compact and lightweight design, allowing users to carry it with them wherever they go.
The alarm is activated with a simple button press which sends an emergency signal for help. Most mobile alarms are connected to the 4G cellular network, which means they can work anywhere in Australia where there’s good cellular reception.
The two types of Mobile Alarms
There are two main types of mobile personal alarms systems – Auto- dial and Fully Monitored. Both types have similar devices and features, including falls detection, GPS location and 2-ways voice communication directly through the alarm.
The key difference is in who responds to the emergency alert once the help button was activated.
Read our detailed comparison between monitored and auto-dial alarms here →
Mobile Alarm features and benefits
Mobile Alarm devices offer several important features and benefits:
- Falls Detection: Advanced sensors can detect falls automatically and trigger alerts even if the user is unable to press the alarm button, ensuring prompt assistance in case of accidents.
- Two-Way Communication: Mobile Alarm devices include built-in speakers and microphone, enabling users to communicate directly through the alarm without needing to get to a phone.
- GPS Location: Some models incorporate GPS technology, allowing emergency responders to pinpoint the user’s location in case of an emergency, especially useful for individuals who may wander or have cognitive impairments.
- Water resistance: Mobile Alarm devices are often water resistant, allowing users to use them even if it’s raining.
- Easy to Use: Designed with simplicity in mind, these devices are user-friendly and accessible to people of all ages and abilities. With just a press of a button, users can quickly summon help in the event of a medical emergency, fall, or other urgent situations.
Funding options for Mobile Alarms in Australia
There are a range of government funding options tailored to support Australians. Among these are Home Care Packages (HCP) and the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). There are also state funded personal alert programs such as Personal Alert VIC and Personal Alert SA, for which MePACS is an approved providers.
Government funding for any program is subject to various eligibility criteria, so it’s important to understand the requirements. By leveraging these funding options, however, individuals can access the necessary resources to afford personal alarm systems, which are invaluable for getting help in medical emergencies or after a fall.
Home Care Packages for Seniors (65+)
Home Care Packages provide comprehensive support, including financial aid, to help seniors live in their own homes for as long as they can. These packages cover a wide array of services and equipment, ensuring that seniors have access to the support they need to maintain their independence and quality of life. Importantly, Home Care Packages can often cover the cost of essential safety devices such as personal alarm systems.
The services included in HCP vary depending on the care and support required by each person, but are ultimately designed for those with more needs than what a Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) can provide.
Funding for a Home Care Package is offered in the form of a code, which can be taken to an approved provider that can help organise how the money will be spent on certain services; primarily those that benefit senior health and wellbeing at home and out in the community.
While Home Care Packages offer more choice and flexibility, there are a fixed number available nationally each year and recipients may have to wait until one has been assigned to them, unless they have high care needs that must be prioritised.
To apply for a Home Care Package in Australia, you can call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 or apply for an assessment online. You can complete the online application yourself or on behalf of a family member or friend, and it will only take about 15-20 minutes.
National Disability Insurance Scheme for people living with a disability
The NDIS offers funding and support to Australians under the age of 65 who have a permanent and significant disability. This scheme aims to provide individuals with the necessary funding to access services and supports that will assist them in achieving their goals and living their best lives.
For eligible participants, the NDIS can cover the cost of essential assistive technology, including personal alarm systems, to enhance safety and independence.Under the NDIS, eligible people living with disabilities can receive funding to afford, coordinate and access the support they need to improve their life skills and independence.
NDIS funding is provided through certain categories, one of which is capital support. Capital supports help NDIS participants afford necessary equipment, home or vehicle modifications and assistive technologies.
Assistive technologies like a MePACS mobile medical alarm enable people living with disabilities to be an active participant in the community and communicate with other people, process information and complete daily tasks.
With a personal alarm for the home and a mobile alarm for out and about, NDIS participants can benefit significantly from the 24/7 emergency response service, which is responded to by trained professionals and answered within two minutes of someone pressing the button on their MePACS alarm.
Mobile Alarm installation
Mobile medical alert systems are installed by a professional technician or through self-installation.
Self-installation is relatively simple and can be done by yourself, a friend, relative or carer, with guidance over the phone from a member of our lovely Help Desk team.
For our clients in Victoria, Sydney & Brisbane* professional installation by a technician is available for an additional fee of $140 including GST.
*Price is for metro areas and surrounds. Regional areas may cost more based on the location and a quote can be provided.subject to ongoing COVID-19 restrictions in each state. For additional locations to those above, please contact us on 1800 685 329.
Have a question for the MePACS team? Send us an enquiry through our ‘Contact Form’ in the main menu.
What is the best Mobile Alarm for the elderly?
The best mobile alert button for the elderly is the one that suits your health condition or senior lifestyle.
However, personal mobile alarms monitored by a response service are the safest, as you know that a real person is guaranteed to answer and check on your well-being.
Where to buy a Mobile Alarm?
If you’d like to buy a MePACS Mobile Alarm as a senior or NDIS self-managed client, we have a dedicated online form to ensure the sales process is smooth and seamless for everyone.
We also have online forms for professional care providers to fill out on behalf of their clients:
Home Care Providers NDIS Support Coordinators Health Care Professionals