home link for elderly/disabled

[fionajohnston]

wondering what happens in the rest of uk

up here in Shetland the disabled/elderly can get what we call home link

you get a panic button to press if you fall etc.phone picks up signal and some-one lets your nominated person know

this service has been free since it started 15/20yr ago now all people with it is being billed for £52 odds for a year regardless of income

do other regions charge for similar?

[ginap.123]

Our council charged £45 per quarter regardless of income

[learning2me]

Think my Mum pays about £20 per quarter.

[cookiecookuk]

a disabled friend of ours has it and we are on his phone list but i do not know if he pays or how much.will ask him tomorrow.

[chickengrandma-2008]

That's really good isn't it, only a pound a week for peace of mind.  My dad had similar when he was in sheltered housing and I suppose any cost was in with the rent.  I don't know any other really old people so don't know if they have it or not.

[bitsnknots]

Where I live, we have what's known as Care Line but I don't know how much it costs.

[ilove2patch]

My mum had the same thing & she paid for it. About £35 I think but this was ten years ago. I think a pound a week is reasonable.

[fionajohnston]

thanks for replies seems we're not so bad done to as others ,i also think £52 not to bad but i know of 2 people who have given them up because of this charge and that's just a small area of 3miles (both these people can well afford it)hopefully not many will give up

[mustard-tree]

I am in sheltered housing and have emergency pull cords in every room and the passage.

Warden calls on intercom twice a week and visits once a week.

I am on low rate and costs £11.50 a week.

Some residents are on medium or high rate, (more intercom and personal checks) and they pay more.

[guardpig]

Council used to hand them out for free when needed.  Recently an old(very old) asked for one after being stuck in one place for hours and unable to reach his phone.  He could buy one and rent the service or he could rent the unit and the service. Charge was because he wasn't a council tenant.  Any council tenant in same block would get it for free regardless of income.  He has decided against one because it's that or food!.