From fear to freedom: How a simple alarm is changing lives

Thanks to a growing program supporting more than 250 veterans across Queensland, those at risk of falls can now live with confidence, connection and peace of mind.

Until Marjorie Earl received her mobile fall alarm, she was terrified of falling if she needed to get up in the night.

“Two of my friends have fallen and been unable to get help for hours so I was scared the same thing would happen to me, especially as I have a dodgy ankle and vertigo,” she says.

RSL Sunshine Coast and Regional District started equipping veterans and their family members with fall alarms in 2012. That has now expanded to support more than 250 people across eight RSL Districts in Queensland, ensuring that those in need have easy, hands-free access to help if a fall should happen.

Marjorie served in the Australian Army Reserves attached to Headquarters, 11 Battalion in Townsville – first as a Steward and then as a Clerk. Today, she is an active member of the Cairns & District Ex-Servicewomen RSL Sub Branch, part of RSL Far Northern District.

Marjorie is a member of the Cairns & District Ex-Servicewomen RSL Sub Branch

At first, Marjorie wasn’t happy about receiving her alarm. She had received hearing aids around the same time and whilst she knew she needed both aids, she didn’t like it.

“But then I realised the alarm, the hearing aids and the walking aids I also use extend my useful life,” Marjorie says.

“They all allow me to continue doing my voluntary work, socialise and go on holidays with my family.”

That voluntary work includes being a local historian with a focus on the history of local veterans.

“It’s really surprised me how many people are interested in the research I do. I seem to have become something of a micro-influencer!”

Being able to devote more time to her research and her RSL role is just one of the ways in which Marjorie’s alarm has changed her life. 

“I don’t waste energy worrying about falling over now. I can just get on with living my life.”

Other RSL Queensland Districts have also gotten on board with providing fall alarms to their members. RSL Moreton District Executive Support Officer Catherine Akers says using RSL Queensland’s Charitable Objects Fund to ensure those like Marjorie are safe is an easy decision.

Since receiving her alarm, Marjorie feels greater freedom to get on with her life

“Without these alarms, some people are so scared of falling and not being found that they find it hard to leave their home and worry all the time,” she explains. 

“These alarms give them their freedom back.”

“It’s a very quick process,” she says.

“Once the application is approved by the District, we order it straight away. There’s no waitlist or anything like that.”

The cost of each alarm is paid for by RSL Queensland’s Charitable Objects Fund and its ongoing $90 yearly subscription is footed by either the Sub Branch or the individual, making the cost far more accessible for those doing it tough.

Marjorie says her entire family is very grateful to RSL Queensland and RSL Far Northern District for funding the cost of the alarm.

“It’s not something I would have been able to afford but it gives my children such peace of mind – knowing that if anything happened, I’d get help quickly,” she says.

Each alarm can be pre-programmed with up to six contact numbers, and Catherine says that they make sure to include Triple Zero (000) as the last number on each device.

“We ask each person which numbers they want included, but we always include Triple Zero as the last number just in case no one else is able to pick up, so help is always available.”

That reassurance helps not only Marjorie, but also her daughter.

“My daughter takes her role as a contact very seriously,” Marjorie says.

“I know she appreciates being able to check in with me immediately if she does get an alert and that even if she is unable to pick up, help is on its way.”