Remote Monitoring

LandLines

All UK phone lines are expected to be converted to DIGITAL connections by 2025, but many connections have already been changed. The problem with a digital connection, is that in the event of a power cut, that the phone line will not work, and the alarm fob will therefore be inoperative.  It would be possible to install a Battery Based UPS to provide mains power to your internet router in the event of a power cut, but this will only provide power for a few hours. 

Mobiles
Mobile service providers are preparing to switch off 2G and 3G services. This procedure will be completed by 2033, but 3G services will be switched off FIRST (This is because the 3G bandwidth is more useful, and because 2G coverage is used in very rural areas. When buying a new phone, it would therefore be sensible to buy a 4G or 5G device. Doro do make some simple devices that use 4G.

BroadBand

City Fibre have recently laid fibre-optic cable in most of Bracknell. It is possible to get a low-cost BB connection, and these are useful for certain types of Remote Monitoring, such as Cameras andother smart devices.

Panic Alarms Services

In the Bracknell Area, Forestcare can provide a full monitoring system for a monthly charge of £4.52 (May 2023). They will install the necessary equipment, and in the event the fob is pressed, will first of all try to talk to the client. If they determine that assistance is needed, they will call the contact numbers on their list in sequence until they get a response. They may also call the emergency services if they believe the situation requires it.

In the rest of the UK, AGE UK offer a similar service, as do several other organisations, including Careline, Doro (Now Careium), Telecare24,  Lifeline24, and others.

In a  more advanced form, Alerts can be sent whenever the elderly or disabled person's pattern of movements starts to differ from normal. Maybe they are visiting the toilet more or  less frequently, or  they may not have made their morning up of tea. The system will have learned the normal pattern of movements, and will trigger  an alert if this changes.

Various telephones are available to buy, like the ones shown above, which have a remote call fob, or dedicated PANIC button. The fobs are typically worn around the neck, or on the wrist. When the button on the fob is pressed, the telephone will call a preset series of phone numbers and wait for a PIN number response. If no response is received the telephone will call the next number in the sequence. Once the PIN number has been entered, the recipient can talk to the caller, using the speakerphone. These numbers can be friends, family, ourselves, or ultimately, the emergency services.

Other call buttons are available where the fob itself is the monitor, and is connected using the mobile phone network. These have a GPS chip inside and work anywhere. They may be useful with people who have dementia, where the person may wander and get lost. A virtual fence can be defined, and if the person goes outside the area, an alert is triggered. Someone can then be dispatched to go and find the person and take them home. The disadvantage with these is that the battery life is typically less than 48 hours, and they then need an overnight charge. This means tha if the fob is charging, then the person being monitored will  not be wearing it if they get up in the night to go to the toilet etc.

NB. If you PURCHASE a stand-alone pendant, ensure that it can be re-programmed to different numbers without returning it to the supplier. For example, HealthandCare.co.uk's pendant, among others, is unsuitable.

It is also possible to buy or rent a mains powered monitoring system which uses the mobile phone network. This might be suitable for a house or flat which does not have a landline.

Some elderly people may feel that having an emergency call fob will mean that they may disturb a friend or relative if they have to use it. But most relatives will feel happier knowing that if their loved one does fall, or have a problem, that help can be easily summoned.

There are also phones available, including mobile phones, which have a fob with an automatic fall detection system. These will automatically initiate a call if a fall is detected. These are especially useful where someone has a particular condition which causes falls, such as epilepsy.

There are companies who make regular check-up calls to the client, and have a brief chat to make sure all is well. This also provides a little human contact during the day.

It is possible to install a remote controlled internet connected camera. These can be controlled from a web browser, and many have Infra Red lighting to give night vision. This option needs careful consideration, as it may be potentially invasive, but may be appropriate in certain circumstances. A PC is not necessarily required in order for a web camera to be installed. The camera can even be controlled from many mobile phones.

For contact details for many of these services etc, please see our Useful Links page.

If you are going to have any remote monitoring system in place, it is also sensible to install a Key Safe, in case emergency access is required. The number of the key-safe can even be given to the emergency services, so that they do not waste time gaining access when they arrive.