What is a careline?
A careline, sometimes known as a lifeline, is a 24/7 home personal emergency alarm service designed to help people to remain safe and independent in their own homes.
How it works
Personal alarm
You wear a pendant or wristband with a button.
Emergency response
Press the button. It calls a trained helper at the monitoring centre.
Immediate help
The helper talks to you through the alarm unit. They find out what you need and call emergency services, your family, or carers if needed.
Sensors
Some alarms have extra sensors like smoke detectors or fall detectors. These send an alert even if you can’t press the button. There might be an extra cost for these sensors.
Choosing a lifeline careline provider
What to ask
All UK careline providers are now switching to digital equipment to meet new OFCOM regulations. When contacting a provider, make sure to:
- Ask for digital equipment.
- Request up-to-date pricing. It’s a good idea to compare at least two providers before making a decision.
Key questions to ask each provider
What are the rental costs?
Ask about the cost of the home alarm unit and any additional sensors you might want.
Is a keysafe required?
If so, find out the cost of supplying and fitting one.
Is there an installation fee?
Some providers may charge for setting up the equipment.
What is the weekly monitoring charge?
This is the ongoing cost for 24/7 emergency support, some providers charge more for monitoring additional sensors.
Explore your options
While we are unable to recommend a specific provider, we encourage you to explore the options available and choose the one that best suits your personal needs.
Careline Dorset / Life Line Fall Pendant Careline 365
Personal alarms and monitoring systems - Miguardian by Livity Life
Live independently with Technology Enabled Care (TEC)
See our page about Living independently with Technology Enabled Care (TEC)
Get support
Our Adult Access Team is here to help.