Recommend a patient for a monitored personal alarm

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) supports healthcare professionals to refer older Australians who may benefit from a monitored personal alarm to improve safety and support independent living at home.

This page is designed for doctors, registered nurses, occupational therapists, allied health professionals, care managers and discharge planners who wish to provide a written clinical recommendation for a patient who may require Assistive Technology under Support at Home or related aged care funding pathways.

Who this recommendation is for

This recommendation is intended for patients who fit into any of the following criteria:

Are older Australians (generally aged 65+, or 70+ where required)

• Are living at home or returning home after hospital discharge
• Live alone or spend extended periods alone
• Have an increased risk of falls or medical events
• Would benefit from continuous monitoring and emergency response support

This form allows healthcare professionals to document a clinical recommendation only.
EMS manages all follow-up with the patient, including consent, education, service setup and funding discussions.

Important clarification for clinicians

This is not an application form and does not initiate monitoring or billing.

Completion of this form:

• Does not obligate the patient to proceed
• Does not guarantee funding approval
• Does not replace clinical follow-up or community services

EMS uses this written recommendation to support discussions around suitability and, where applicable, Assistive Technology funding.

How this supports
Support at Home funding

Under Support at Home and related aged care arrangements, Assistive Technology recommendations must be made by a qualified health professional within their scope of practice.

A written clinical recommendation for a monitored personal alarm may support funding considerations where the device addresses:
• Safety risks associated with age-related decline
• Disability-related support needs
• Falls risk or post-discharge vulnerability
• Ongoing independence at home

Our Monitoring Solution

All EMS personal alarms operate with continuous 24/7 monitoring by a dedicated Australian emergency response centre as a standard service.
Self-monitoring (family & friends) is not optional.

All alerts are handled by EMS’s dedicated Australian-based emergency response centre, staffed by trained specialists who assess each alert and coordinate appropriate assistance.

This monitoring model is designed to support a higher level of safety and reassurance, particularly for patients who live alone or have elevated risk following hospital discharge or health decline.