Does Scottish Borders Council offer a free personal alarm?

Possibly. Many councils provide alarms free after a care needs assessment, or charge a small weekly fee (usually £3 to £6). Call Scottish Borders Council and ask for a telecare assessment to find out.

How do I apply for a community alarm in Scottish Borders?

Call Scottish Borders Council and say: "I'd like to request a community alarm / telecare assessment for my parent." You can also start from their website at https://www.scotborders.gov.uk.

Scotland · unitary council

Scottish Borders Council personal alarm scheme

We're still confirming the cost of Scottish Borders Council's community alarm service. Most councils charge £3 to £6 a week, and many waive the fee for people on Pension Credit or similar benefits.

Council alarm scheme · Scotland

Scottish Borders Council

We're still confirming the details for Scottish Borders Council. Call them and ask for the community alarm service. Most councils have one, even if it is not easy to find on the website.

Scheme name: Usually called a community alarm, Careline or Lifeline
Weekly cost: Still confirming
Means-tested?: Still confirming
Fall detector included?: Ask when you call

Use the number on the council website.

Scottish Borders council website

Scheme details not yet verified

What to say when you call

Call the council's main number and read this out:

I'd like to request a community alarm / telecare assessment for my parent.

Then tell them, briefly:

whether your parent lives alone;
whether they have had a fall or feel unsteady;
any benefits they get (Pension Credit, Attendance Allowance, Housing Benefit or Council Tax Support);
whether they've recently been in hospital.

If the first person can't help, ask for adult social care or the community alarm service. Ask two questions before you hang up: "What will it cost each week?" and "How long is the wait?"

Who usually qualifies

Rules differ between councils, but the pattern is the same across the UK. An alarm is more likely to be free, or arranged quickly, if your parent:

lives alone, or is alone for much of the day
has had a fall or is unsteady on their feet
gets Pension Credit or another income-related benefit
has just come out of hospital or had a care needs assessment

Not sure where your parent stands? Run the 60-second check with Scottish Borders pre-filled.

Questions people ask about Scottish Borders

Does Scottish Borders Council offer a free personal alarm?: Possibly. Many councils provide alarms free after a care needs assessment, or charge a small weekly fee (usually £3 to £6). Call Scottish Borders Council and ask for a telecare assessment to find out.
How much does a community alarm cost in Scottish Borders?: We're still confirming the cost of Scottish Borders Council's community alarm service. Most councils charge £3 to £6 a week, and many waive the fee for people on Pension Credit or similar benefits.
How do I apply for a community alarm in Scottish Borders?: Call Scottish Borders Council and say: "I'd like to request a community alarm / telecare assessment for my parent." You can also start from their website at https://www.scotborders.gov.uk.

If you'd rather not wait

A private alarm can be delivered in a day or two, with no assessment. You pay for it yourself, but you choose the timing.

Our recommendation

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See Taking Care alarms and prices

Not sure? Compare the four main providers or read our Taking Care review.

Nearby councils

All councils · Compare private alarms

Not sure if your parent qualifies?

Answer five quick questions. It takes about a minute and there is nothing to sign up for.

Check in 60 seconds

We haven't yet verified this council's scheme details by hand. Spotted a mistake? Tell us. Official site: scotborders.gov.uk.