Community Alarms
East Lothian's Telecare Service provides and installs a range of equipment which can help you to live safely and independently at home. It offers peace of mind to users and carers alike
Perhaps you: 
- live on your own and worry about how you could call for help in the event of a fall?
- are concerned about a family member or friend who is generally independent, but may feel more confident knowing they could get help at the press of a button, 24 hours a day.
How the Telecare Service can support you.
- Our Alarm Service gives peace of mind to users and carers alike.
- We assess your needs to determine the most suitable equipment for you and your environment.
- We provide you with a base unit that we install within the home and give you a pendant which you can wear around your neck or on your wrist.
- Our team will demonstrate the alarm working at installation and check the pendant range within your home and garden.
- Other sensors include fall detector, smoke detector, door or bed sensor
- Should you have a fall or require assistance just press the pendant and your call will be directed to our very own Alarm Centre based in Macmerry.
- Our friendly operators are experienced in answering alarm calls and they can get you the right help that you need.
We charge a small fee for our service which is £5.00 a week.
Apply for a standard community alarm and pendant from East Lothian Telecare Service
Important update: analogue to digital switch-over
East Lothian Council is upgrading its Community Alarm Service from analogue to digital. This change affects how your telecare alarm system connects to the Community Alarm service, but in no way affects how you receive emergency help and support.
Why is this happening?
UK telephone companies are switching off all analogue landlines and replacing them with digital lines by January 2027.
Since 1999, telecare alarms have used landlines to send alerts. These will now be replaced with digital alarms that use SIM cards, not phone lines.
How do digital alarms work?
Whether it is the pendant that has been pressed, or a sensor has been activated your alarm now connects to Community Alarms using a SIM card (not an analogue phone line) but you’ll still speak to an operator just like before.
Do I need to pay for the new alarm?
No. There is no charge to you to have your equipment upgraded.
Do I need a phone line or broadband?
No. The new alarm works independently using a SIM card.
You don’t need a phone line or broadband unless you want them.
Benefits of Digital Telecare
- Faster connection to Community Alarms.
- Clearer sound quality.
- More reliable - we can detect issues like power loss.
Beware of scams
Scammers may call asking for payment for your new alarm.
Do not pay - East Lothian Council provides the alarms for this digital upgrade free of charge.
Report scams to your bank and Police Scotland on 101.
What should you do next?
Scenario A:
You don’t have a digital phone line yet
- No action needed now
- When you switch, press your pendant to notify Community Alarms.
Scenario B:
- You have a digital phone line but not a new alarm.
- Press your pendant to let Community Alarms know.
- You’ll be prioritised for a digital alarm upgrade.
Scenario C:
- You already have a digital alarm with a SIM card.
- You’re all set - no further action needed.
Have any questions?
Contact East Lothian Council Community Alarms Service by:
- Pressing your pendant.
- Calling 01875 613921
- Emailing lifeline@eastlothian.gov.uk