Most crises for people living alone are ordinary: a fall in the bathroom, a missed meal for three days, a chest infection that is ignored, a phone left off the hook. The goal is not to eliminate risk. It is to make sure that if something happens, someone notices quickly.
The daily check-in
Agree a time each day when someone expects to hear from you. A call, a text, a knock at the door. Then agree the escalation: call again, then call a neighbour, then call the family member, then call 000 if there is a real concern.
Write it down and give it to everyone involved. A check-in that nobody follows up is not a safety net. Test it once, deliberately, and see whether it works.
Personal alarms
A wearable alarm lets you call for help without reaching for a phone. It is worth considering if you are at risk of a fall and spend time alone.
Ask three questions before buying: does it work outside the house, who answers the call, and what happens if you cannot speak? A pendant in a drawer is decoration.
Some councils and community organisations subsidise alarms. Ask before you buy at full price.
Keys and access
A key safe, or a spare key with a trusted neighbour, prevents the locked-door crisis. If you fall inside and the door is locked, the ambulance can break in, but it is expensive and slow.
Tell the person who holds the key what it is for, and get their consent to be called. Do not hide a key under a pot. That is a burglary, not a plan.
Emergency information
- Emergency numbers by the phone and on the fridge.
- A medication list and your conditions, in a known place.
- Your GP's name and number.
- Next of kin and their number.
- Allergies, in case you cannot speak.
A folder on the fridge saves time for an ambulance officer and for a family member who arrives in a crisis.
If you fall and cannot get up
Do not try to get up quickly if you are hurt. Call for help. If you are alone, use your alarm or phone. Keep warm. Keep calling. If you can reach a blanket or a cordless phone, do it slowly.
Practise the plan before you need it. Know where the phone is in each room. Know who you would call first.
Tell someone your plans
If you are going away, tell a neighbour. If you are unwell, tell someone before it becomes an emergency. If you change your phone number, update the person who does the check-in. Most crises are made worse by silence, not by the event.
The right amount of help
You do not need a package. Two hours a fortnight can be enough: a clean bathroom, a lift to the GP, someone to change the sheets. Start with the task most likely to cause a problem.
Connection is safety
A regular visitor, a club, a men's shed, a library, a weekly phone call. Connection means someone notices when you are not yourself. It also makes the days worth getting up for.
Common questions
Do I have to move into care if I live alone?
No. Most people can stay at home with the right support and a safety plan.
What is a personal alarm?
A wearable device that calls for help at the press of a button. Some detect falls automatically.
How do I set up a check-in?
Agree a time and an escalation sequence with a family member, friend or neighbour. Write it down and test it.
Where should I keep emergency information?
A folder on the fridge, plus a copy in your wallet. Tell someone where it is.
What if I do not have family nearby?
A neighbour, friend, GP, community organisation or a service can be part of the plan. You are not limited to family.
Sources and further reading
This guide is general information, not medical, legal or financial advice. If you are worried about your health, call your GP. In an emergency, call 000.