Personal alert systems are booming

Personal alert systems for older people – known as téléassistance in French – is a growing area, and there are several schemes that can help to pay for them. 

They are a key part of helping people stay in their own homes for longer and typically consist of bracelets or medallions with a button that can be pressed in case of a medical emergency or fall. Some incorporate an automatic fall detector.

If activated, they connect to a call centre, manned 24 hours a day, where staff will make contact through the device – or a speaker and microphone system installed in the room – to check if help is needed. Staff will, if necessary, call for help from a list of friends and family or the emergency services.

Such services can be run by associations, private companies, or sometimes communes or departmental councils. The best way to find out about those operating in your area is via a local information point for older people. Put in your postcode and a radius. This will give you a list of local help bodies which should be able to recommend services in your area.

Prices vary but are on average around €30/month. La Poste has a basic offer nationwide at €25.90/month, with a bracelet or medallion plus a speaker delivered and installed by your postman. It is called Veiller sur mes parents (keep a watch over my parents). A ‘mobile’ version, which works anywhere, costs an extra €10/month.

Points to check include whether there is an initial installation charge on top of the monthly fee, whether the equipment is sold to you or on loan, and whether there are optional extras; how the service makes sure the equipment is working well and batteries are charged.

We are not aware of a specific English-speaking téléassistance service in France, but it is worth asking if a service has English-speaking staff if this is important to you. Many services are eligible for an income tax credit for Service à la personne – Other important question to ask.

To claim this, you fill out the sums you have paid in a given year on your annual French tax return, box 7DB. You can get 50% of the cost as money off income tax and/or a bank transfer from the tax service within a cost ceiling of total eligible services of €12,000/year, or €13,500 for over-65s, or €20,000 if you have a disabled person’s card. In other words, if you spend €240/year on a basic service, it will actually cost you €120.

If you receive APA benefit for people with dependency needs, speak to your departmental council, as help for téléassistance service can be factored into this. However, if you obtain money towards the service from APA or other aids, the amount of these should be deducted from the sum you claim a tax credit for.

Some health mutuelles and pension funds also help.