Personal Alarms for Seniors

A personal alarm is a reliable safety solution that can be used by an individual to summon help in the event of an emergency. Personal alarms, also known as "panic buttons" or "emergency buttons," provide peace of mind, particularly for elderly people who live alone but still value their independence. These devices empower seniors to remain independent and continue with their day to day activities while ensuring help is just a button press away when needed.

Moreover, personal alarms can reduce the risk of serious secondary health issues by preventing a "long lie" after a fall. This is a situation where someone remains on the floor for an extended period, which can lead to complications like dehydration, hypothermia, or pressure sores. Seniors who use personal alarms often report feeling more secure and confident in their daily activities, and many are able to live at home longer, knowing help is always available.

There are two types of personal alarms at INS LifeGuard: on-the-go and in-home. On-the-go emergency alarms for the elderly are portable and can be taken with you wherever you go. Equipped with exceptional features and functionalities such as 24/7 monitoring and fall detection, these personal alarm systems are especially advantageous for individuals living alone and wish to maintain their independence while staying safe and worry-free.

On the other hand, our in-home personal alarm systems are designed to be installed in your home to give you peace of mind while you’re there. Whether you're feeling lonely or simply need someone to talk with, an INS Nurse is available day or night for you to call and have a conversation with. You can also reach out to INS LifeGuard anytime for information or support.

The best personal alarms are those that are easily activated in an emergency and those that come with an array of key features. INS LifeGuard's personal alarms are designed to be easy to use and offer a range of features that help enhance the safety of the elderly.

Some of the features that our personal alarms offer include:

• A fall detection feature that can automatically detect a fall and raise the alarm
• GPS location tracking so that you can always know where your loved one is
• Two-way voice communication so that you can always stay in contact
• A personal alarm button that can be worn around the neck or wrist for easy access
• Water resistance with IP67/IP68 ratings to safely wear in the shower or bath
• Large, easy-to-press SOS buttons designed for seniors with limited dexterity or arthritis
• Multi-network connectivity using cellular, GPS, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth technologies for reliable location tracking and communication
• Advanced models with heart rate monitoring and medication reminders for health and wellness tracking

No landline is required for any of our devices. However, connectivity options vary by device type:

Mobile Alarms (SmartTracker V3, SafetyWatch V3, INS LifeGuardian® App)

These operate entirely on cellular networks (4G LTE) with a pre-installed SIM card. No Wi-Fi or internet connection needed.

This means:

• Work anywhere with good cellular coverage across Australia
• No dependence on home internet
• No NBN, ADSL, or broadband required

In-Home Systems

Our in-home alarms offer flexible connectivity options:

LifeGuard SmartHome LGX - Can connect via:

• 4G LTE cellular (primary option - works without internet)
• Wi-Fi
• Ethernet/IP connection

SmartLink Medi-Guardian MKII 4G - Connects via:

• 4G LTE cellular network
• Can also be programmed/updated over internet data network

For maximum reliability, we recommend using the cellular (4G LTE) connection for in-home systems, as this ensures your alarm stays connected even if your internet goes down. However, if you have stable internet, the SmartHome LGX can use Ethernet or Wi-Fi as an alternative or backup connection path.

The base unit communicates wirelessly with your wearable waterproof pendants and any wall-mounted call points placed around the home.

Battery life varies depending on the type of device:

In-Home Alarm Pendants (Wearable Transmitters)

The waterproof pendants and wristbands that you wear typically last 2-3 years without needing to be charged. These communicate wirelessly with your base unit.

In-Home Base Units

• LifeGuard SmartHome LGX - Plugs into mains power with up to 38 hours backup battery in case of power failure
• SmartLink Medi-Guardian MKII 4G - Plugs into mains power with 40+ hours backup battery during power outages

This ensures continuous protection even if the power goes out.

Mobile Alarms

• LifeGuard SmartTracker V3 - Up to 4 days between charges under normal use
• LifeGuard SafetyWatch V3 - Up to 3 days between charges under normal use

Both come with easy-to-use charging docking stations and provide low battery alerts when charging is needed. The long battery life of our mobile devices means you can go several days between charges, reducing the worry of your alarm running out of power.

INS LifeGuardian® App

Relies on your smartphone or smartwatch battery. Battery consumption varies based on your device model, settings, and how frequently the app is used.

Note: Actual battery life may vary depending on usage patterns, environmental conditions, and device settings.

INS LifeGuard's personal alarm for seniors works by providing a wearable device that seniors can activate in case of emergency. To use our personal alarm:

1. Press the button on your LifeGuard SmartHome LGX, SmartLink Medi Guardian, or mobile personal alarm in the event of an emergency. With only the press of a button, help is on the way. We can also provide an automatic fall detection sensor that activates an alarm upon detecting a fall.
2. A nurse at our emergency response centre is alerted. The nurse, who has access to your personal information and medical history, will communicate with you using a two-way speaker on your emergency unit. You don’t have to be near the unit to be heard.
3. The nurse will evaluate the situation and dispatch the necessary assistance, whether that be a family member, neighbour, friend, or emergency services.
4. If the nurse is unable to communicate with you verbally, an ambulance will be sent to your location. Regardless of the circumstance, rest assured that assistance is on the way.

* INS LifeGuard has no control over the local environmental factors that may affect network coverage and voice quality. Even if we cannot communicate with you via the personal safety alarm system, rest assured that we have received the signal and will dispatch emergency assistance.

Free Nurse Chat and Health Info Line

If you are feeling lonely and need someone to talk to at any hour of the day or night, an INS Nurse is available for you to call. Our chat line is designed for the lonely or socially isolated who may need reassurance or just someone to talk with. In addition, you can contact INS LifeGuard at any time for information or assistance. On request, our nurses can communicate with your GP or other primary care providers.

Welfare Checks

We conduct welfare checks after hospital discharge and at the request of caregivers and families. These welfare checks benefit anyone vulnerable and living alone, including people with disabilities, seniors, and individuals working in remote areas without supervision. Furthermore, these welfare check services guarantee that our support extends beyond emergencies, providing ongoing peace of mind and assistance when you need them the most. 

Download the Free LifeGuardian App

Download the LifeGuardian App to gain access to additional INS LifeGuard Ecosystem services, such as TeleHealth and the LifeGuardian Connect App. You can also convert your mobile phone into a mobile alarm and only pay for a low monthly monitoring fee. This app is available for free download via Google Play Store. 

LifeGuardian Services Include TeleHealth Monitoring

The results obtained from your personal device can be monitored either by family members or caregivers using the free TeleHealth service or by a registered nurse from INS LifeGuard using our professional TeleHealth Service. We offer flexible monitoring options to suit your needs, from family-based monitoring to professional daily monitoring by our nursing team. Telehealth services offer numerous benefits to seniors and individuals with chronic health conditions. These include:

• Better health results for patients with chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart failure.
• Reduces travel costs and inconveniences associated with specialist visits
• Improving access to care by enabling healthcare delivery from home
• Help patients and healthcare providers communicate better

Free LifeGuardian Connect App

When connected, the LifeGuardian Connect app enables the families and caregivers of clients to easily check health status and location, read or modify information, and set alarms. Some other features may also include:

• Easily view and access comprehensive reports including alarm history
• Set Geofence alerts and location requests, and receive notifications
• Set up tasks and reminders
• Create rules to send alerts for personal activity monitoring
• Monitor or set up vital sign alerts to detect or monitor medical issues early on

Yes. Several government and state programs offer funding for personal alarms to eligible individuals in Australia, including:

Home Care Packages (HCP) — Offer more comprehensive support for seniors who require a higher level of care, including funding for personal safety alarms and monitoring services.

Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) — May provide subsidised or low-cost personal alarms for eligible seniors.

In some cases, funding may also be available through:

• National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), for participants who joined the scheme before turning 65 and have assistive technology or monitoring included in their plan
• Personal Alert Victoria (PAV), a Victorian Government program offering free personal monitoring and emergency response services for eligible seniors and people with disabilities
• Personal Alert Systems Rebate Scheme (PASA) in South Australia, which supports eligible seniors and people with disabilities to live safely at home
• Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA), which may fund personal alarms for eligible veterans through Veteran Home Care or other support programs

Eligibility and funding rules vary between programs. INS LifeGuard can help point you in the right direction, or you can speak with My Aged Care, your aged care provider, or an NDIS support coordinator to understand what options may apply to you.

The fall detection feature uses advanced motion sensors to automatically detect when a fall occurs. If a fall is detected, the device instantly sends an alert to our 24/7 Emergency Response Centre, even if you're unable to press the button yourself.

Available on:

• LifeGuard SmartTracker V3 and SafetyWatch V3 (built-in fall detectors)
• In-home systems (optional fall sensor accessory)
• INS LifeGuardian® App (on compatible smartwatches)

Important: Not all falls can be detected by sensors, so you should always press your help button after a fall if you're able to. Our nurses can then assess your situation and arrange appropriate help.

Yes. Every monitored INS LifeGuard service includes access to the free INS LifeGuardian Connect® app for family members, carers, or authorised contacts.

With the user's permission, the Connect app allows you to:

• Receive instant notifications when alarms are activated
• View GPS location (for mobile devices)
• Monitor vital signs data from compatible devices
• Set geofence boundaries and receive breach alerts
• Access alarm history and activity reports

The app is free to download on iOS and Android and works with all INS LifeGuard devices and monitoring services. Simply download the app and request access — the person being monitored can grant permission through their Client Portal or by contacting us. Get the app here.

Our nurses assess every alarm to determine the appropriate response. Emergency services (ambulance, police, or fire) are contacted when:

• You require immediate medical attention
• You've had a serious fall or injury
• You're unable to respond verbally to our nurse
• The situation requires urgent professional intervention

For non-emergency situations, we may contact your nominated family members, neighbours, or carers instead. Our nurse-led approach ensures you get the right help, not an automatic ambulance dispatch for every alarm, which helps avoid unnecessary call-outs and costs.

This clinical assessment is what sets INS LifeGuard apart from automated systems.