"Hello, I need your help!"--the Lifeline community alarm system for home care

In many countries, homes for the elderly are filled to capacity. New technologies and technical solutions are available, which support endeavours to care for vulnerable people in a community. Home care enables those people to stay in their homes as long as possible. So-called "safety alarm systems"--special technical aids based on a telephone unit enable immediate contact between a caller and a caregiver. The systems are designed to enable people to call for help even if they cannot reach the telephone. The calls are directed to a community control centre, which is a headquarters for home-based care in a community. It is staffed for 24-hours a day accepting calls and arranging or providing adequate help. The Lifeline system is described which enables an increased independence to the system users and provides them with security and reassurance. The system is adaptive to suit requirements of smaller or larger communities.