Which MePACS alarm is right for you?

Which MePACS Alarm actually fits your life?

The best personal alarm isn't the one with the most features or the best price. It's the one that fits naturally into a day that's already happening, rather than reshaping it.

Some people spend most of their time at home. Others are out and about — appointments, shopping, catching up with friends, walking the dog. Neither is more "at risk" than the other; they just need different kinds of support. That's the real starting point for choosing an alarm, well before comparing individual features.

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The main types of personal alarms

Personal alarms generally fall into a few broad categories, and it helps to know the basics before narrowing things down.

Pendant-style alarms are worn around the neck or wrist and are usually the simplest option — press a button, get connected to help.

Mobile alarms work the same way but are built to work anywhere you go — at the shops, at appointments, out with friends.

Watch-style alarms combine emergency alert functionality with the look and features of a regular smartwatch, for anyone who'd prefer a more discreet option with wellbeing apps.

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Why choosing the right alarm matters

The wrong fit can mean an alarm that sits unused, feels confusing or intimidating to operate, or simply doesn't suit how someone spends their day — so it's worth getting right from the start.

Before comparing alarm features, it helps to get honest about a few things:

• Where do you actually spend your time — home, out and about, or a genuine mix?
• Are falls something you're thinking about?
• How do you feel about tech? Comfortable, or "just give me a button"?
• Do you need help to reach you at home, away from home, or both?

Answering these questions can quickly narrow down which alarm may be the best fit for you.

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The MePACS personal alarm range

MePACS offers three personal alarm solutions designed to support different lifestyles and levels of independence:

Home Alarm
Mobile Alarm
Solo Connect Watch Alarm

Every option connects to the same 24/7 monitoring team and the same direct line to help when it's needed. What differs is the device itself, based on where someone spends their time, how confident they are with technology, and what fits naturally into their daily routine.

Here's a closer look at what each one offers.

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Home Alarm: protection around the home

If most of your day happens within your own four walls and garden, this is built for exactly that. It comes with a waterproof pendant, and there's no charging routine to remember — a genuine relief for anyone who'd rather not add "charge the alarm" to their nightly checklist.

For people looking for a straightforward solution, the Home Alarm is often the easiest option to incorporate into everyday life.

Good fit if you:

• Spend the bulk of your time at home
• Want something simple and easy to use
• Don't want to think about batteries or charging
• Would like support around the house and garden

For anyone looking for an extra layer of protection, an optional falls detection pendant and other accessories are also available for the Home Alarm.

Daily check-in service for added peace of mind

The Daily Call Service is a simple check-in service that can be paired with the MePACS Home Alarm. All it takes is a button press each morning. Miss a check-in, and MePACS follows up, arranging a welfare check if we can't confirm your wellbeing. It provides added reassurance for anyone living alone, or for family who'd appreciate knowing someone's keeping an eye on things without hovering.

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Mobile Alarm: confidence beyond the front door

Plenty of older Australians are out and about most days, catching up with friends and family, getting to appointments, running errands or staying active in the community. For anyone with a life that extends beyond the front door, support that travels with them can make all the difference.

The MePACS Mobile Alarm works almost anywhere in Australia with 4G coverage and includes built-in falls detection, GPS locator and two-way communication. While it's big on features, it's designed with simplicity in mind — just one button and a built-in microphone and speaker so you can talk directly through the device.

It needs charging roughly once a day, and a built-in low-battery alert makes it easy to stay on top of.

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Good fit if you:

• Spend time away from home
• Want support wherever you go
• Prefer simple, easy-to-use technology
• Are not confident using smart devices

For anyone who wants the confidence to keep doing the things they enjoy outside the home, the Mobile Alarm is built to go wherever the day takes you.

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Solo Connect Watch: safety meets smart technology

Some people want a personal alarm that doesn't look or feel like one.

The Solo Connect Watch is built on the Samsung Galaxy Watch, so it looks and wears like one, while staying at its core a dedicated personal alarm connected directly to MePACS. It's packed with features, including advanced falls detection, GPS, two-way communication and built-in health and wellness apps, and it's waterproof too. It works almost anywhere in Australia on the 4G network, including interstate travel, so it keeps up wherever life takes you.

It uses a touchscreen interface to raise alerts and access its apps, making it a great fit for anyone who already uses technology regularly and feels comfortable with it. It does need daily charging, which is worth factoring into your everyday routine.

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Good fit if you:

• Lead an active lifestyle
• Are comfortable using touchscreen technology
• Prefer a stylish and discreet alarm
• Want support at home and on-the-go

For anyone who's tech-savvy, the added functionality and modern design make the Solo Connect Watch an excellent choice.

Still deciding? Here's the short version

Here's how the three options compare, side by side:

• Home Alarm — best for people who spend most of their time at home and want a simple, no-charging solution.
• Mobile Alarm — best for people who are out and about regularly and want straightforward support wherever they go.
• Solo Connect Watch — best for people who are comfortable with touchscreen technology and want a discreet, watch-style alarm.

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Funding support may be available

Eligible older Australians may be able to access government-funded support through My Aged Care. An aged care assessment is a straightforward way to find out what funding options are available to you.

Learn more about funding options on our funded alarms page.

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Choosing what's right for you

Choosing a personal alarm is a personal decision, and it comes down to lifestyle rather than features. How much time you spend at home versus out and about, how comfortable you are with touchscreen technology, and whether you'd prefer a discreet, watch-style option all shape what fits best. Working through those questions usually makes the right choice clear.

The same thinking applies for family members helping a parent or loved one decide. Considering how they actually spend their days, and what would feel natural rather than intrusive to wear or use, tends to lead to an alarm that's genuinely worn and used, not one that ends up in a drawer.

By choosing an alarm that matches everyday life, you or someone you care about can keep doing the things that matter most, with greater confidence and reassurance for the whole family.

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Learn more about the MePACS Duress Alarm Take the next step to support your healthcare team with a practical safety solution. Learn more →