If you have an elderly or disabled relative who chooses to live alone, you'll share the concern that James Batchelor feels about his grandmother Evelyn. "According to Age Concern, 32 people die alone and unnoticed in their homes every day," he says. "There are panic button systems - but what if the person is not in a position to reach the button?"
So James devised the Alertacall system. Every day, Evelyn simply presses a button on her special phone before an agreed time. If she fails to do this, the system first calls to see if she's OK. If there's no answer, the system sends warning calls the three nominated people. Alertacall costs £25, including the phone, plus £9.99 a month. Call 0808 156 5777.