Accessibility Statement
Text size:
Around the house

There is a range of equipment available to help maintain your independence when moving around the house. From mobility aids and fall detectors to grab rails and adaptations there are a lot of options available to you.

Equipment can be privately purchased from a wide range of retailers both online and on the high street.  If you feel that you need further information or advice, please contact William Merritt Centre for impartial and professional advice and assessment, or call Adult Social Care on 0113 222 4401 to make a referral for assessment with the Leeds Equipment Service.

Back to the house

Falls detectors and locators

Falls are not an inevitable result of ageing, but the risk of falls increases with age. Telecare services provide emergency alarms with response units in the event of a fall, and you are unable to get up from the floor. There are different alarms, such as pendant alarms and fall detector bracelets, which will alert a central call centre who will then try and establish contact with you or alert a nominated individual.   

These include  

  • Pendant alarms - a waterproof wearable which includes a button which can be pressed to alert the call centre.  
  • Falls Bracelet – a lightweight detector worn on the wrist 
  • GPS “watch” - a lightweight wearable device which provides the location or, and communication with, the wearer 

The falls detector will also automatically send an alert if the impact of a fall is detected (dependent upon the type of fall being experienced). A falls detector is worn on the wrist and comprises of a help call button that can be pressed in an emergency situation.

GPS “Watch” 

A wearable device like a watch which provides two-way speech like a mobile phone, which can locate you when you are at home or out and about, ensuring safety wherever you are.  

Find out more about Leeds Telecare    

There are also private providers of these and similar technologies. You can find and buy these services and products online by  

Find out more about preventing falls 

 

Pendant Alarm

A Pendant Alarm is a waterproof and wearable button which can be pressed to alert a caregiver or response centre that help is required.

Falls Bracelet

A Falls Bracelet is a lightweight and compact device. It can both detect a serious fall and allow the wearer to call for help.

GPS device

A GPS device allows greater freedom, independence and protection as well as reassurance for family and carers. They work completely independently and can be used anywhere in the city and surrounding areas.

Benefits

Pendant alarms and falls bracelet are worn on the person and can call for help anywhere in the home and garden.  

Fall Detector bracelets will automatically send an alert in the event of a serious fall.  

The GPS device is completely standalone and can be used to connect directly to the response centre no matter where you are. 

Things to consider

The pendant alarm and falls detector need to be in range of the main unit to connect to send an alert.  

The bracelet may not activate in the event of a low impact fall (i.e. a slide rather than a drop). 

A GPS device needs to be charged every few days.  If a GPS device is being used in conjunction with a mobile response package there may be limitations as the the areas covered. Please check with your supplier.