The NHS is under significant strain. Since before the pandemic, hospitals have been under pressure to keep up with an increase in demand with limited funding. What's more, the UK has an ageing population who require more hospital visits and longer stays in hospital beds. Here at LifeConnect24, we believe that Personal Alarms for the elderly will be a crucial part of the solution to this growing problem.
The upcoming digital switchover, which will see all UK phonelines transferred to a new internet-based system, is bringing new challenges to the telecare market. Traditional analogue alarms will only be compatible with the new network if they are connected to the internet. As alarm providers prepare for this change, personal alarms for the elderly may not seem as reliable. Fortunately, at LifeConnect24 we provide the futureproof SmartLife Alarm, providing four times faster connections to our call handling platform, with no phoneline required.
With its digital connectivity, the SmartLife Alarm means that personal alarms for the elderly can continue supporting the NHS regardless of changes to the nation's phonelines. You can order your digital alarm safe in the knowledge that you will always be connected.
NHS Hospitals Under Strain
A&E delays are at the highest level on record. These delays are partly due to bed blocking, which is an issue in NHS hospitals across the UK. Bed-blocking is where patients are unable to leave hospital due to social care costs or a lack of organised care, despite being medically ready to go home. A report from January 2023 revealed that over 95% of beds across general and acute hospital wards were occupied by patients. Other statistics linked to bed-blocking include:- As many as 14,000 beds a week are taken up by patients who no longer needed to be there.
- Over 379,000 patients have been waiting over a year for treatment.
- Social care delays could be keeping as many as 40% of patients in hospital.
Personal Alarms for the Elderly
The LifeConnect24 alarm system is an increasingly popular method of keeping people out of hospitals and in the comfort of their own homes. A personal alarm from LifeConnect24 usually consists of a pendant alarm worn around the neck or wrist, alongside an alarm base unit that plugs into the mains power. If a LifeConnect24 user needs assistance, they can press the button on their pendant and know that help is on its way. Pressing the help button will send an alert to our 24/7 Response Team, who will be able to send help fast, either by phoning the user's emergency contacts or the emergency services. This means that the alarm user can remain independent at home, safe in the knowledge that our Response Team is there to answer their distress call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. In some cases, having a panic alarm in place can shorten and even prevent hospital admissions.Relieving the Strain on Hospitals
Many of our customers buy an alarm from us after coming out of hospital, following a fall or health problem. Our personal alarms for the elderly often help them stay out of hospital in the long term. This is not only great for our customers but also helpful for the NHS. LifeConnect24 alarms are already helping 1.7 million people stay safe at home. They can do the same for you or your loved one. The LifeConnect24 Alarm is easy to install and simple to use. Plus the UK-based LifeConnect24 Response Centre has received accreditation from the TEC Services Association. If you'd like to know more about the LifeConnect24 system, you can find a detailed guide here.Personal Alarms for the Elderly Through the Digital Switchover
The upcoming digital switchover, which will see all UK phonelines transferred to a new internet-based system, is bringing new challenges to the telecare market. Traditional analogue alarms will only be compatible with the new network if they are connected to the internet. As alarm providers prepare for this change, personal alarms for the elderly may not seem as reliable. Fortunately, at LifeConnect24 we provide the futureproof SmartLife Alarm, providing four times faster connections to our call handling platform, with no phoneline required.
With its digital connectivity, the SmartLife Alarm means that personal alarms for the elderly can continue supporting the NHS regardless of changes to the nation's phonelines. You can order your digital alarm safe in the knowledge that you will always be connected.
Find out more about the SmartLife Alarm
Are LifeConnect24 Alarms Available on the NHS?
The NHS does not provide LifeConnect alarms. Until recently, many local authorities offered personal alarm schemes to pensioners and people with disabilities on a means-tested basis. However, in many places, these local authority schemes have faced cuts or been scrapped altogether. Luckily, LifeConnect24 remains a reliable and affordable provider of personal alarms for elderly and disabled people across the UK. We offer a range of personal alarm plans as well as fall detector options for additional peace of mind. Order your personal alarm by visiting our website, or call us for free on 0800 030 8999. A member of our Customer Service team will be happy to answer any questions you may have. Alternatively, fill in the Contact Us form on our website and we'll be in touch as soon as we can.Editor's Note: This post was updated on 23rd October 2023 to reflect the most recent information.