What is the best medical alarm for elderly in NZ?

St John Medical Alarm is the most widely used in NZ ($13–$15/week). It provides a wearable pendant button that connects to a 24/7 monitoring centre. MePACS is a comparable alternative. Medical alarms are good for emergencies but only work when the person presses the button — they don't detect gradual changes in daily activity.

What is the difference between a medical alarm and a passive monitoring system?

A medical alarm requires the person to press a button when they need help. A passive monitoring system uses sensors to detect daily activity patterns automatically — it can notice if your parent hasn't moved from the bedroom by 10am, or if the front door hasn't opened all day. One relies on the person asking for help; the other notices when something is off.

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Monitoring options compared

Medical alarms, GPS trackers, passive sensors, and DIY smart home setups — what each is good at, what they miss, and how to choose.

There is no single best option. The right choice depends on your parent's mobility, cognition, willingness to wear a device, and what gives your family peace of mind. Many households combine two — a medical alarm for emergencies plus passive monitoring for daily reassurance.

At a glance

System	How it works	Cost
Medical alarm (St John, MePACS)	Wearable button → 24/7 call centre	$13–$15/week
GPS tracker (St John, Eldertech)	Wearable device → location tracking, fall detection	$15–$25/week
Passive sensor monitoring	Sensors → activity patterns → family alerts	Varies — usually one-off + subscription
DIY smart home	Self-configured sensors (Home Assistant, etc.)	$200–$500 + your time

Medical alarms (St John, MePACS)

Best for

People who are mobile and cognitively sharp but at risk of falls
Situations where a 24/7 call centre response is important
People who will actually wear and press the button

Limitations

Relies on the person pressing the button. If they're unconscious, confused, or simply don't want to "bother anyone," it doesn't help.
Doesn't detect gradual decline — only responds to acute events
Many people stop wearing the pendant after a few months
Ongoing weekly cost adds up ($700–$800/year)

GPS trackers / wearables

Securely was the main NZ GPS tracker provider but was acquired by St John in 2024. GPS tracking is now available through St John's expanded product range, and through third-party devices from Eldertech NZ (GPS watches, trackers).

Best for

People who wander or get lost (early dementia)
Active people who leave the house regularly
Families who want location tracking

Limitations

Must be worn and charged — compliance is a constant issue
Automatic fall detection has a high false-positive rate
Location tracking can feel invasive to the person wearing it

Passive sensor monitoring

Best for

Families who want daily reassurance without being intrusive
Detecting gradual changes in routine, not just emergencies
People who won't wear a pendant or charge a device
Households where privacy matters — most systems use no cameras

How it typically works

Motion, door, and appliance sensors placed around the home
The system learns daily patterns — when they get up, move around, use the kitchen
Family is alerted if something is unusual — no activity by 10am, front door not opened all day, overnight bathroom visits increasing
Some systems include an SOS button or optional camera with privacy mode

Limitations

No 24/7 call centre — alerts go to family members, not professionals
Hardware up-front cost is higher than starting a medical alarm
Requires WiFi and a power point
Family members need to be willing to respond to alerts

DIY smart home

Best for

Technically capable family members who enjoy tinkering
Highly customised setups

Limitations

Significant setup and maintenance time
No daily analysis or risk scoring out of the box
Reliability depends entirely on your technical skills
When you go on holiday, who maintains it?

Which is right for your family?

If your situation is...	Consider
Active parent, fall risk, cognitively sharp	Medical alarm (St John, MePACS)
Early dementia, wandering risk	GPS tracker (St John, Eldertech)
Living alone, you want daily peace of mind	Passive sensor monitoring
High care needs, can't be left alone safely	Home care + respite — see government support
Needs constant supervision	Rest home may be the right choice — see costs

These aren't mutually exclusive. Many families combine a medical alarm (for emergencies) with passive monitoring (for daily reassurance). Talk to your parent's GP or occupational therapist about what makes sense for their situation.

The information on this page is general in nature and does not constitute legal, financial, or medical advice. Every family's situation is different — for advice specific to your parent, consult their GP, a Needs Assessor, or a qualified professional.

Dollar figures and entitlements change periodically. We link to authoritative sources where possible. Last reviewed: April 2026.