You never know when an emergency could occur. You could be alone, or with your loved one. In any situation, having a SOS emergency device handy is a very wise safety measure. It could make all the difference!
This blog was updated 15 November 2025.
Today’s SOS personal alarms are very different from their predecessors. Modern personal safety devices are smaller, lighter and far more discreet. Many look like a watch or pendant, and they work almost anywhere there is mobile coverage. More importantly, they can support independence and confidence for older people and those with health conditions.
This article discusses some of the reasons why you might need to wear a SOS emergency alarm device, who might need an SOS personal alarm, how they work and how APERS devices can help you or your loved ones stay safe.
Disclaimer: This article is general information only. It does not replace advice from your doctor or other health professionals.
Why would you need to wear a SOS personal alarm?
We know getting older can make us all stop, think and ponder from time to time. It is also reported that some older-aged people find society to be less-than-kind at times. This is terrible and we wish the world was a much kinder place for everyone.
Unfortunately, the reality is that bad situations, including emergencies, occur all the time. Some are health or aging-related, some are due to 3rd-parties. Home intruders, muggers, burglars, etc exist.
Consider this scenario: If a mugger takes your mobile phone or smashes it, if you are wearing a SOS emergency device, you can press the button and get help from our 24/7 Monitoring Centre Care Team quickly.
Consider all the scenarios where relying purely on your mobile phone or landline phone may not be of benefit in an emergency situation. Imagine too if your mobile phone has a flat battery when you need it.
Plus there are many health-related-benefits of SOS personal alarms. Imagine having a fall and not being able to get up; in that instance, all you would have to do is press the SOS button on the device that is right there, either around your neck, in your pocket or on your wrist. However, imagine not owning this device; you’re alone, hurt, unable to get up and you’re not able to get to your phone.
There are so many other health and or safety situations and scenarios where having a SOS device could make all the difference! Like anything, being prepared, having the foresight to use the device before you ever need it (aka: prevention) for yourself and/or others is key.
SOS personal alarms can be worn on your body 24/7. You can hide them discreetly under your clothes or in your pocket. You can even wear them around your wrist, in the shower and when it is raining. No one needs to know you have one with you, unless you want them to.
If and/or when an emergency occurs, your SOS personal emergency alarm device could be the thing that makes the difference.
What is an SOS personal alarm?
An SOS personal alarm (sometimes called a medical alert pendant, personal safety device or medical alarm) is a small wearable device with a help button.
When the wearer presses the button:
- A signal is sent to a 24/7 monitoring centre
- Trained staff can talk to the person through the device
- Help is arranged, which may include calling family, neighbours or Triple Zero (000) in an emergency
Some devices also include GPS location, fall detection, mobile coverage and integration with other safety devices in the home, like the Home Companion.
Who can benefit from wearing an SOS personal alarm?
SOS personal alarms are not just for very frail people. They can be helpful for:
- Older adults who are at risk of falls
- Older age people who wish to continue to live at home
- People living alone, especially if family live more than a block away
- Anyone with a medical condition that can cause sudden dizziness, fainting, seizures or shortness of breath
- Anyone who works alone some or all of the time, including tradespeople
- People in residential aged care facilities, retirement villages, etc
- People who feel unsteady on their feet but want to keep getting out and about
- Young people who venture out alone (or with others).
- Carers who want peace of mind that their loved ones can always reach help
- Care staff, social workers, etc, who need to be able to get emergency help quickly if/when needed
- [The list goes on]
Australian data shows that around one in three people over 65 experience at least one fall each year. [1]
Falls are the leading cause of injury-related hospital admissions in older Australians. [2]
If a person falls and cannot get up, this “long lie” on the floor is linked with worse health outcomes and a loss of confidence in moving around. Having a monitored SOS personal alarm means help can be on the way much sooner.
SOS personal alarms and falls: reducing time on the floor
A major benefit of wearing an SOS personal alarm is the ability to get help quickly after a fall. People using monitored personal alarms feel greater confidence to live independently for longer.
Personal alarms can reduce anxiety about falling and help people stay in their own homes instead of moving into residential care earlier.
Without a way to call for help, an older person may lie on the floor for hours. This can lead to dehydration, pressure injuries and hospitalisation, even if the original fall did not cause a major fracture.
With a monitored SOS personal alarm, one press of the button sends an alert to a 24/7 response centre that can contact family or arrange an ambulance if needed.
When an SOS Personal Alarm Can Make a Difference
Not everyone who wears a personal alarm is older. SOS personal alarms can support people with long-term health conditions such as:
- Heart disease or heart rhythm problems
- Epilepsy and seizure disorders
- Diabetes, especially where there is a risk of sudden low blood sugar
- Chronic respiratory conditions, such as COPD or severe asthma
Retaining independence, not losing it
A common concern is that wearing a personal alarm feels like “giving in” or losing independence. In practice, many people find the opposite as alarms can:
- Help older people feel safer at home and in the community
- Support people to remain living independently for longer
- Reduce unnecessary ambulance callouts by reporting through monitoring centres
Instead of being a symbol of frailty, a personal alarm can be seen as a tool that supports you to keep doing the activities you enjoy, with a safety net if something goes wrong.
If your memory is not as sharp as it used to be, or you know your balance is not perfect, an SOS personal alarm can give you the confidence to keep moving rather than avoiding all activity for fear of falling.
What about privacy?
Some people worry that having a personal alarm means being constantly watched. This is not how monitored SOS alarms work.
In general:
- The device does not constantly send live audio or GPS location details
- Alerts are only sent when you press the SOS button or when an automatic fall detector triggers an alarm.
Monitoring centre staff can only hear you once an alarm call is connected, and conversations are treated as confidential.
Think of an SOS personal alarm like a safety net. It is there quietly in the background and only comes into play if you need it.
How APERS SOS personal alarms support you
At APERS, our personal alarms are monitored by our experienced Care Team to help Australians feel safer at home and when out and about.
Two key options are:
1. APERS Freedom Friend mobile personal alarm:
The APERS Freedom Friend is a mobile SOS pendant designed to work both at home and in the community. It is suitable for older adults, people with medical conditions and anyone who wants a discreet personal safety device they can wear every day.
Key features include:
- One-button SOS to a 24/7 monitoring centre
- GPS location to help responders find you
- Operation wherever there is suitable mobile coverage
- Options for family contact and emergency escalation
This can be particularly helpful for people who like to walk, shop or attend social activities but worry about becoming unwell or disoriented while out.
2. APERS Home Companion in-home personal alarm:
The APERS Home Companion is an in-home personal alarm system with a base unit and wearable pendant.
It is ideal for people who:
- Spend most of their time at home or in the garden
- Want quick access to help if they fall, feel unwell or hear something suspicious
- Prefer a simple, one-button way to reach support, instead of trying to find a phone
Both the Freedom Friend and Home Companion connect to APERS monitoring, so you or your loved one are never completely on your own when something unexpected happens.
Is an SOS personal alarm right for you?
An SOS personal alarm might be worth considering if:
- You have had one or more falls in the last 12 months
- You sometimes feel light-headed, dizzy or unsteady
- You live alone or spend long periods on your own
- You have a medical condition that can change quickly
- Your family or carers are worried about you being unable to call for help
Final thoughts
Old or young, anyone can experience a sudden change from feeling fine to feeling dizzy, disoriented or unable to move.
Wearing an SOS personal alarm does not mean giving up your independence. It means you have a simple, reliable way to reach help at any time of the day or night.
If you would like to understand which APERS personal alarm solution is best for you or a family member, you can contact our team to talk through the Freedom Friend, the Home Companion and other options that match your situation.
Reference:
At APERS, we understand that keeping your loved ones safe is the most important thing in the world.
For more information about our personal medical alarms, please call us on 1300 852 148 or send us a form enquiry via our contact us page.
