How Much Does a Fall Detection Medical Alarm Cost in New Zealand?

A Familyr fall detection medical alarm currently costs NZ$632.50 including GST as a one-off purchase. The advertised package includes the wearable device, automatic fall detection, a manual SOS button, GPS location sharing, two-way calling, setup, charging accessories, an activated prepaid SIM with NZ$50 credit, tracked delivery and technical support. Familyr does not charge a monthly monitoring or equipment-rental fee.

After the included SIM credit is used, the owner pays future mobile usage and top-ups. Optional replacement accessories, out-of-warranty repairs or replacement equipment may also add to the lifetime cost.

Price checked: 3 November 2026. Prices, package contents and network charges can change, so confirm the current written total with Familyr before purchasing.

Familyr price at a glance

Cost item	Current Familyr price or status
Device price excluding GST	NZ$550.00
GST	NZ$82.50
Total purchase price including GST	NZ$632.50
Automatic fall detection	Included
Monthly monitoring fee	None
Equipment-rental fee	None
Prepaid SIM credit	NZ$50 included
Initial setup and contact programming	Included
Tracked delivery	Included
Product warranty	12 months, subject to the published terms
Technical support	Included, subject to the support policy

Source: Familyr wearable safety device — current package and price.

What does the NZ$632.50 Familyr package include?

Familyr’s current package includes:

the Familyr wearable alarm
automatic fall detection
a manual SOS button
GPS location sharing
two-way voice calling
initial programming of contacts and settings
an activated prepaid SIM with NZ$50 credit
a charging base and magnetic charging cable
lanyard, wristband, belt clip, armband and key-ring attachments
tracked delivery
technical support, subject to Familyr’s support policy.

The range of attachments is useful because an alarm can only help when it is worn and accessible. The best wearing method depends on the user’s mobility, comfort and Familyr’s operating instructions.

Does Familyr have a monthly fee?

No. Familyr does not charge a monthly professional-monitoring or device-rental fee. It is sold as a one-off purchase and is designed to connect the wearer with nominated trusted contacts.

However, “no monthly fee” does not mean there will never be another cost. The device relies on an active SIM and mobile-network service. Once the included NZ$50 credit is used, the owner must keep the SIM active and pay for later calls, texts or other applicable network usage.

A simple first-year cost calculation is:

Familyr first-year cost = NZ$632.50 purchase price + mobile usage beyond the included NZ$50 credit + any optional or replacement items.

Future-year costs will depend mainly on mobile usage, SIM requirements and whether accessories, servicing or replacement equipment are needed.

How does the Familyr response model work?

Familyr is a family-connected personal alarm. When an alert is activated, the device follows its programmed contact and calling settings so trusted people can respond. Contacts may include family members, friends, neighbours or carers.

This is different from a professionally monitored alarm that sends alerts to a staffed response centre. Familyr may suit a household that wants direct contact and has trusted people who are willing, reachable and able to act. It may be less suitable when no dependable contact network is available or when a staffed monitoring response is required.

Before relying on the alarm, the household should agree on:

who will receive alerts and in what order
what each contact should do when an alert arrives
who can reach the wearer quickly
when emergency services should be contacted
how the contacts will keep their details and availability current.

What is automatic fall detection?

Automatic fall detection uses sensors and software to identify movement patterns that may indicate a fall. If the device detects such a pattern, it can initiate an alert without waiting for the wearer to press the SOS button.

Automatic detection is an additional safety feature, not a guarantee. A device may miss some falls, and ordinary rapid movements may sometimes produce a false alert. The wearer should press the SOS button whenever they are able rather than waiting for the device to detect the event automatically.

What does academic research say about wearable fall detection?

Research supports a cautious interpretation of fall-detection claims:

A 2021 umbrella review of seven systematic reviews found that performance varied by device type, body placement and testing conditions. The authors said more high-quality research was needed in frail older people and real-world settings.
A 2024 systematic review and meta-analysis of real-world wearable devices pooled fall-detection results from only two eligible studies. It reported combined sensitivity of 81.89% and specificity of 62.54%, while describing the evidence as inconsistent and inconclusive. Sensitivity is the proportion of actual falls detected; specificity is the proportion of non-fall events correctly rejected.
A systematic review of older adults’ use of wearable technology found that continued use depends on ease of use, motivation, fit with daily life and support around the wearer—not on features alone.
In a prospective BMJ study of 110 people aged over 90, difficulty getting up after a fall was common, yet available alarm systems were often not activated. This was a very-old UK cohort, so its percentages should not be treated as estimates for all New Zealanders.

These studies assessed fall-detection or personal-alarm technology generally. They did not test Familyr and do not establish a Familyr-specific detection rate. Familyr’s price and features should be sourced from its current product information; academic research is relevant to the limitations and practical use of the technology category.

What do the studies mean for a Familyr user?

The evidence suggests that owning an alarm is only one part of a workable safety plan. A Familyr user should:

wear the device in the position recommended by Familyr
keep it charged and switched on
maintain an active SIM with sufficient credit
test the SOS and calling functions regularly
keep every programmed contact number current
make sure contacts recognise an alarm call or message
press the SOS button whenever able after a fall or other emergency
have a backup plan for poor mobile coverage, a flat battery or an unavailable contact.

No personal alarm prevents a fall. Its purpose is to make it easier to raise an alert and communicate after an incident.

What ongoing Familyr costs should a buyer allow for?

The main potential ongoing costs are:

SIM top-ups and mobile usage: required after the included NZ$50 credit is used.
Replacement accessories: a lost or damaged charger, attachment or other accessory may need to be replaced.
Out-of-warranty repair or replacement: confirm the applicable terms if the device is damaged or develops a fault after its warranty period.
Network changes: mobile service prices and technical requirements can change over the life of the device.

Who may find Familyr suitable?

Familyr may be suitable when the wearer:

wants a wearable SOS alarm with automatic fall detection and location sharing
has dependable trusted contacts who have agreed to respond
prefers a one-off purchase to a professional-monitoring subscription
lives and travels mainly where compatible mobile coverage is available
can keep the device charged and worn, with help if required
understands that automatic detection cannot identify every fall.

Suitability should be considered individually. Health conditions, cognition, dexterity, hearing, speech, mobile coverage, charging ability and the availability of responders can all affect whether the device will work well in practice.

Can Work and Income help pay for Familyr?

Work and Income may help eligible people with the rental and monitoring cost of an approved medical-alarm service through Disability Allowance. Its published rules generally exclude buying an alarm outright and additional equipment such as fall detectors.

Because Familyr is a one-off device purchase rather than a rented professional-monitoring service, it should not be assumed to qualify for standard medical-alarm funding. Ask Work and Income for a written decision before buying if funding is important to the purchase. Eligibility depends on the person’s circumstances and the current rules.

Source: Work and Income — medical-alarm assistance.

Can ACC fund a Familyr alarm?

ACC may provide aids or equipment when an individual assessment finds that it is needed because of a covered injury. Approval is case-specific; it is not automatic for a particular alarm or purchaser.

If a health professional, occupational therapist, assessor or recovery team recommends Familyr, obtain written ACC approval for the exact device and cost before purchase. Purchase of Familyr Alarms is usually arranged by your Occupational Therapist,

Source: ACC — aids and equipment for injury-related needs.

Frequently asked questions

How much is the Familyr fall detection alarm in New Zealand?

Familyr currently advertises the device for NZ$550 plus GST, which is NZ$632.50 including GST. It is a one-off purchase.

Is automatic fall detection included in the Familyr price?

Yes. Familyr lists automatic fall detection as included in the current NZ$632.50 package. It should be treated as a backup to the manual SOS button, not as a guarantee that every fall will be detected.

Does Familyr charge a monthly subscription?

Familyr does not charge a monthly professional-monitoring or device-rental fee. The owner is responsible for future SIM top-ups and mobile-network usage after the included NZ$50 credit is used.

Who answers a Familyr alarm?

Familyr is designed to contact nominated trusted people according to the device’s programmed settings. The household should ensure those contacts have agreed to respond and know what to do.

Does Familyr work away from home?

The device is designed to use mobile connectivity and GPS location sharing. Operation depends on compatible network coverage, a charged battery, an active SIM and correct setup. Confirm coverage and operating requirements for the places where the wearer will use it.

Can Familyr detect every fall?

No automatic fall-detection system should be assumed to detect every fall. Academic reviews show that performance varies by device, placement, movement and real-world conditions. The wearer should manually press SOS whenever able.

Is Familyr funded by Work and Income?

Do not assume it is. Work and Income’s standard medical-alarm assistance focuses on eligible rental and monitoring costs and generally excludes outright purchases. Request a decision before buying.

Can ACC pay for Familyr?

Possibly. ACC support depends on an individual injury-related assessment and prior approval. Ask the relevant assessor, occupational therapist or recovery team to confirm the exact approved equipment and amount in writing before purchase.

Methodology and source note

The price, package contents and service model in this article were taken from Familyr’s public product information and checked on 3 November 2026. Funding statements were checked against the public information of the relevant New Zealand agencies. Academic sources were selected because they are peer-reviewed reviews or primary research relevant to fall detection, alarm use or wearable adoption.

The academic studies did not evaluate Familyr. They are included to explain what is known—and not known—about automatic fall detection and real-world alarm use. This article does not claim that Familyr prevents falls or guarantees an emergency response.

Sources

Last reviewed: 3 November 2026. Recheck prices, package contents, mobile requirements and funding rules before publication or purchase.