You’ve probably seen the ads on TV and in magazines: How do you get help in a medical emergency when you’re alone at home? The makers of medical alert systems promise that their products will come to the rescue, whether you’ve fallen and you can’t get up or you’re experienc­ing symptoms of a heart attack, stroke, or seizure. The ads are reaching a receptive audience: Sales of med-alert services are growing as the baby boom generation ages.Medical alert systems were introduced in the 1970s as simple push-button devices worn around the neck. They summoned help by signaling a base station connected to a home phone line that would alert a call-center operator. Today’s systems are still wearable, but you can also mount help buttons throughout the home that allow for two-way voice communication with call centers. Some offer motion-­sensitive pendants that can detect a fall and place a call for help.

Who needs one? Most buyers purchase a system for an aging parent who lives alone so that they can get help quickly if needed. That person might be at a heightened risk for falls because of poor eyesight or memory changes, says Barbara Resnick, Ph.D., professor of nursing at the University of Maryland and past president of the American Ger­iatrics Society. The systems can also be useful in nonemergency situations where the user doesn’t need an ambulance but does need someone to come to their aid. The call center will alert a preselected relative or friend who can come over and assist.

Benefits of Medical Alert System in Hillsboro Illinois

These types of emergency systems have many benefits associated with them. One of the main benefits is that they provide help to individuals when they cannot get to a telephone to call emergency medical services. Since the medical alert devices are worn on their wrists or around their necks, all they have to do is to reach up and hit the designated button and they will be contacted with the medical alert company right away. This convenience is one benefit of the medical system.

Another benefit to the medical system is that it provides independence to individuals who may not have been able to live alone without such a device. By having this type of system in place, if the individual is a senior citizen they will feel confident in living alone as will their family members who know that a medical alert system is right by their side.

Medical alert devices are also quite reasonable in cost. Depending on the type of system one orders, they may have to pay for the devices in addition to a monthly monitoring fee. The prices will vary from company to company in Guam but overall the price is reasonable and is usually around $30 per month. When viewing everything that one gets for this price it can easily be justified and seen as a great deal.

Questions about the Personal Emergency Response System

1. Does this medical alert system work with VOIP (voice over internet protocol) telephone services? If you have Comcast or Verizon cable at home, chances are that you might also be using them for your (home) phone service. If that’s the case, you are likely are using a VOIP plan (just as we do with Vonage, another major VOIP provider). Many of the traditional medical alert system providers recommend checking with your home (VOIP) phone provider to see whether they offer local 911 (and other) services. So keep this in mind, and ask*. (*Note: The alert system providers will know about their compatibility with the major phone service providers.)

2. What is the range of my alert system? MOST of the major medical alert system providers have the following components included in their “systems”. A base station and a pendent of some kind (necklace – worn around the neck, belt clip, or wrist watch like device. The myHalo system even has a chest strap). MOST of the pendants need to communicate (wirelessly) with a base station that is connected to your home phone line. So, you need to know the range of that pendant to the base station. Usually this range covers most normal sized homes, and is in the neighborhood of 400-600 feet. After installation be sure to test out the range inside (and outside) the home.

3. Does someone install this for me, or do I do it myself? Many manufacturers have sales/marketing representatives that will come to your home and install/test the system for you. They usually charge a one time set-up fee for this service so ask about that fee is ahead of time! If all they do is send the alert system to you, make sure there is ample literature (on and off line) for assistance with set-up AND testing. Always TEST your medical alert system before using it.

4. Do I need a land line to use this medical alert system? In most cases the answer will be YES, but there are a few exceptions. For example, The MobileHelp Medical Alert System has a small hand-held device that connects to AT&T Wireless for use outside the home (anywhere covered by AT&T). To use their pendant (small necklace) device around the home, you still need a land line however. Also, The Wellcore Personal Emergency Response System boasts the ability to interface with some cell phones to extend the range of their device outside the home.

5. Who staffs your call center, where are they located, and what are the average response times? OK, this is a bit of a loaded question, because “outsourcing” call centers has been a trend that many, many companies take advantage of. Frankly, I’ve found great service from call centers all over the world, and the only thing you need to be wary of here is PERFORMANCE.

Nearest Medical System to You In Montgomery County 62049

How to pick the right one in IL

One can compare medical alert systems on the basis of value, cost-effectiveness and quality. Purchase price, monthly fee, and alert neighbor facility are some of the features that can be taken into consideration.

It is a common practice for companies to compare their medical alert systems with those produced by other companies. Besides, companies provide comparison of their own products. Some of these alert systems come with warranty whereas some do not have one. Many of these products are endorsed by major medical foundations.

Some medical alert systems are specifically designed to cater to seniors living alone or left alone frequently, while others cater to both elderly people and those with certain medical conditions. Emergency medical response systems for babysitters and woodworkers are among the alert systems with maximum utility value. Watch type systems hide their alert buttons under the face of a water-resistant, fully-functional wristwatch. Some other alert systems resemble jewelry and can be worn on the wrist or around the neck. Yet others can be mounted on the wall for convenient access.

While most medical alert systems have console units, some alert systems have no console unit. One of the best examples for an alert system without console is the cell phone type alert system, which directly sends messages to the monitoring center. The alert systems with console unit work indoors or outdoors up to 100 feet from the console unit. Wireless alert systems have adjustable infrared sensors that transmit signals up to 1200 feet, and detect motion up to 30 feet away. Some medical alert systems inform the subscriber during dialing, shutdown, system test, and battery test.

To compare medical alert systems on the basis of battery life, the working time ranges from 18 to 24 hours without any power supply. Motion detector and fall sensor are additional equipments available with most medical alert devices.

How a Medical Alert System helps you?

Do your aging parents need a home medical alert system?

Part of the aging process includes increased frailty, and increased chance of accidents. All it takes is one fall for an elderly person to end up with months of hospitalizations, medical bills, rehabilitation, and more. In addition, the elderly are more likely to have medical issues that may require immediate attention. And there are, of course, a host of other problems that can come up as well, from a furnace going out in the middle of winter, to a tree falling due to a thunderstorm. They may need help, and not be able to reach a phone. Whatever the reason, it is easy to see why your aging parents need to be able to contact help quickly if needed; the kind of help that home medical alert systems can provide.

Choose a home medical alert system that is right for your senior

Trying to sort through the hundreds of home medical alert systems can be overwhelming and confusing. Careful research of all of the features of the systems being considered is an important first step in choosing the best one for your aging parents. The best way to start is by learning how these systems are designed to work.

You will find that most home medical alert systems fall into two different categories: those that come with 24/7 monitoring services, and those that provide equipment only, but no service.

Home medical alert systems with monitoring service

Home medical alert systems that provide a monitoring service will usually include a service agreement between the customer and the monitoring company. These types of systems work like this: if the alert device is activated, the monitoring system is notified, and they in turn, contact the designated people and/or emergency personnel.

An important consideration when choosing a system with monitoring is that they are typically more expensive than products without. There will be a monthly fee charged for this service, which can be in the range of $30-40 per month, in addition to an installation or activation fee.