Personal Alarms and Affordable Independent Living for an Ageing Population

For many older Australians, the real goal of retirement isn’t just to stop working – it’s to keep living independently, safely, and with dignity in their own homes for as long as possible. But an ageing population, rising care costs, and limited retirement savings are making that harder to achieve without support.

Personal alarms, as part of a wider group of assistive technologies, are one practical way to bridge the gap. They offer older people a simple way to call for help in an emergency, while also easing pressure on families and the health system.

This guide brings together the full multi-part series into one clear overview: the problem, the options, what to look for in a personal alarm, and how Bora Health’s SureSafe Personal Emergency Call System fits in.

The Big Picture: Why Independent Living Is Under Pressure

An Ageing Australia

Australia, like many Western countries, is facing a significant demographic shift:

• The population is ageing both numerically and proportionally.
• Baby boomers make up a large share of the population and workforce, and since 2011 many have been moving past 65 and out of full-time work.
• By 2041, it’s projected that one in five Australians will be over 65, with around 7% over 80.

That means more people needing support at the very stage of life when they’re no longer contributing tax in the same way they once did.

Increased Pressure on Government Support

An older population with higher care needs and a smaller tax base creates a “double hit”:

• More demand for services such as home help, assisted living and nursing care
• Fewer working-age people funding those services through taxes

The result? Governments will increasingly struggle to fund high-cost residential and nursing care. Policy focus inevitably shifts toward supporting people to live independently at home for longer.

Australians Are Underprepared Financially for Retirement

Research has shown that many baby boomers are not financially ready for retirement:

• A significant majority describe themselves as underprepared, with a sizeable portion completely unprepared.
• Previous ABS reports found median superannuation balances for people nearing retirement that would only cover a few years of accommodation in a retirement or nursing home at typical daily rates.

When you compare realistic retirement savings with the ongoing costs of residential care, a clear funding gap appears. For many people, long-term care in a facility simply isn’t financially sustainable.

What This Means for Older Australians

Pulled together, these trends point in the same direction:

• Government support alone is unlikely to cover everyone’s long-term care needs
• Many people cannot self-fund lengthy stays in retirement or nursing homes
• There is a growing need for affordable solutions that support safe, independent living at home

This is where assistive technology – and personal alarms in particular – come in.

Assistive Technology and Personal Alarms

What Is Assistive Technology?

Assistive technology (AT) is any device, system or design that:

• Helps someone perform a task they would otherwise struggle to do, or
• Makes a task easier, safer or more efficient

In the context of older people living at home, AT might include mobility aids, medical monitoring devices, and personal alarms.

What Are Personal Emergency Response Systems (PERS)?

Personal Emergency Response Systems are one of the most common types of personal alarms for seniors. They are designed to:

• Monitor the safety of older people in their homes
• Allow the user to call for help quickly in an emergency (such as a fall or sudden illness)
• Alert either a monitoring centre or nominated family/friends

Typically, the person wears a pendant or carries a device with an emergency button. When pressed, the system dials preset numbers or connects to a monitoring centre, so help can be arranged.

Studies have shown that personal alarms can significantly improve quality of life and reduce harm in older people at risk of falls who live alone.

Types of Personal Alarms

Non-Monitored (Auto Dialler) Systems

Non-monitored systems (often called auto-diallers or smart diallers) are:

• Connected to a standard telephone line
• Programmed with a list of trusted contact numbers (family, friends, neighbours, village managers, etc.)
• Set up so that pressing the pendant button triggers automatic calls to those contacts, often with a recorded message and/or two-way voice communication

If the first number doesn’t answer, the system can move on to the next until someone picks up. Many systems require the person answering to press a key to “acknowledge” the call, confirming that a real person (not an answering machine) has responded.

Advantages of Non-Monitored Alarms

• No ongoing monitoring fees – usually a one-off purchase
• Ownership – you own the unit outright once purchased
• Calls go to people you know – family, friends or neighbours, which many seniors feel more comfortable with
• Flexible – numbers can be easily reprogrammed (e.g. when family members travel)
• Simple to install and use – often “plug and play”

Disadvantages of Non-Monitored Alarms

• Help depends on the pre-programmed contacts answering their phones
• There’s an extra stage before emergency services are involved (if needed)

Monitored Systems

Monitored alarms connect to a professional 24/7 monitoring centre:

• The alarm is linked to the home phone line and sends a signal to the monitoring centre when activated
• Operators attempt to contact the person to confirm the emergency
• They can then follow a pre-agreed response plan and contact ambulance services, family, or other supports as needed
• The centre often holds basic medical and access information to pass on to responders

These systems usually involve:

• Upfront equipment and installation fees
• Ongoing monthly monitoring fees
• Contracts (often with minimum terms)

Advantages of Monitored Alarms

• Guaranteed response 24/7 from a monitoring centre
• Useful when someone has no family or friends nearby who can act as first responders

Disadvantages of Monitored Alarms

• High long-term cost due to ongoing monthly fees and contracts
• Users don’t usually own the equipment – it’s often leased and must be returned if payments stop
• May not be convertible to a non-monitored option later
• Some seniors are reluctant to press the button if they worry about “bothering” people or triggering unnecessary callouts

GSM / Mobile-Based Alarms

Some modern personal alarms use a mobile network (GSM) instead of a landline:

• Helpful where no landline is available
• But reliability depends entirely on mobile coverage and network quality

Potential drawbacks include:

• Patchy or poor coverage, particularly outside major population centres
• Ongoing SIM and plan costs (contract or prepaid)
• Risk of service disruption if prepaid credit runs out or data/voice allowances are exceeded

Because of these issues, using GSM-only systems as a primary emergency call solution needs careful thought.

Why Australian Compliance Matters

Personal alarms are telecommunications devices and are regulated by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA).

Compliance marks such as:

• Regulatory Compliance Mark (RCM)
• A-Tick
• C-Tick

indicate that a product meets Australian regulatory standards.

Buying non-compliant products can be risky because:

• They may fail when needed most
• Poor quality components could increase risk of electric shock or fire
• There is no assurance they meet minimum performance and safety standards

For something as critical as an emergency alarm, Australian compliance is essential, not optional.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Personal Alarm

When comparing options, look beyond the headline price. Important factors include:

• Initial cost – purchase price, installation fees
• Ongoing costs – monitoring fees, SIM contracts, service charges
• Type of unit – monitored vs non-monitored, landline vs GSM
• Reliability – proven performance, compliance with Australian standards and laws
• Who gets the call – family/friends first, or a monitoring centre
• Ease of use – simple setup, intuitive operation, clear instructions
• Long-term cost – a 10-year view of total investment (purchase, installation, monthly fees, mobile plan costs, etc.)

Market research shows:

• Monitored systems can cost several thousand dollars over 10 years once monthly fees and setup are included
• GSM-based products can be costly over time once mobile plans are factored in and may still be limited by coverage
• Some cheaper non-monitored units are not Australian compliant or are limited (for example, only dialling 000), which may not be recommended

Why 000 Shouldn’t Be Your First Response

Programming 000 (emergency services) as a primary or only contact number in an auto-dialler system is generally not recommended.

• Auto-diallers often play a pre-recorded message rather than connecting a live voice immediately
• 000 operators need to speak to a person to understand the emergency and confirm the location
• Systems that only call 000 may not align with guidance from senior support services

A better approach is:

• First call trusted family or friends who can check on the person quickly
• Then involve emergency services if needed, with a real person explaining the situation

The Solution: The SureSafe Personal Emergency Call System

Bora Health is the exclusive Australian supplier of the SureSafe Personal Emergency Call System, a non-monitored personal alarm designed specifically to support affordable, independent living.

Key Features

• Non-monitored personal alarm
• Connects to a standard landline (and can link into PABX telephone systems)
• Supplied with two remote alarm pendants, including one water-resistant pendant suitable for shower or bath use
• Automatically dials up to three pre-programmed telephone numbers when the pendant’s emergency button is pressed
• Optional 6-second voice recorded message to play if the user cannot speak
• Two-way communication through the unit – talk and listen
• Pendant range of approximately 50 metres in open space
• Radio frequency: 433.92 MHz
• Comes with AC adapter, telephone cable, and split telephone socket adapter
• Power backup via four AAA alkaline batteries (not included), with low battery indicator
• 12-month warranty

Benefits for Seniors and Families

• Low upfront cost: $229 (inc GST and Express Post)
• No ongoing monitoring fees: one-time purchase, no subscription
• Easy to set up and use: plug it in, program the numbers, and it’s ready
• Immediate access to people who care: calls go to family and friends, not strangers
• Australian standards compliant: RCM / A-Tick / C-Tick compliance gives peace of mind
• Not reliant on 000 as first responder: aligns with senior-service advice
• Relies on landline: often more stable and reliable than mobile coverage, especially in some areas

Why SureSafe Stands Out

Based on the main factors to consider:

• Initial cost: competitively priced at $229, one-off
• Ongoing costs: none
• Reliability: compliant with Australian standards and designed specifically as an emergency system
• Usability: simple, user-friendly, and suitable for older adults
• Response path: connects directly with chosen family or friends, avoiding over-reliance on 000

In a market where many alternatives are either expensive, non-compliant, or heavily subscription-based, SureSafe offers a high-quality, affordable option that genuinely supports independent living.

About Bora Health

Bora Health is a community interest company built on a simple belief:

The ability to live independently and age with dignity should be a right for everyone – not just those who can afford it.

To support that mission, Bora Health:

• Focuses on high-quality products that meet Australian standards
• Keeps pricing as affordable as possible
• Operates 100% online to minimise overheads and keep costs down
• Prioritises products that are easy to install and use, without costly technician visits

Bora Health is Australian, UK and US owned and operated, specialising in personal alarms and elderly care solutions for an ageing world. Through technology and innovation, the aim is to enhance the feeling of safety and security for older people in their own homes.

Bringing It All Together

• Australia’s ageing population and retirement funding gap mean more people will need to stay in their own homes for longer.
• Government and family budgets are under pressure, making low-cost, high-impact solutions vital.
• Assistive technology, and personal alarms in particular, play a key role in making independent living safer.
• When choosing a personal alarm, you need to look beyond price: compliance, usability, long-term cost, and who answers the call all matter.
• Bora Health’s SureSafe Personal Emergency Call System provides an affordable, compliant, easy-to-use solution that helps older Australians live independently for longer – without ongoing fees.