There are several details that you should know. First, medical alert systems are only as good as their central monitoring organization. Many smaller providers outsource their supervision, making it difficult for them to assure you of quality service. It is much wiser to get a system that has its own trained staff responsible for giving advice on the two-way communication system and calling emergency contact persons and personnel, when necessary. Some municipal jurisdictions have minimum standards for this type of service and you must ensure that the company is certified.
You can also find medical alert systems that simply dial 911 when the call button is activated. While this can be helpful, it is not as good as having friends and family as the first contacts in case you need to ask for help. They are more knowledgeable about what the problem could be and can resolve the situation quickly and appropriately. And with 911 systems overloaded, a non-emergency call to operators puts a huge strain on the system.
And don’t be tempted by medical alert systems that offer deep discounts on monthly fees. Typically, a service in North America costs about a dollar a day, and those who charge less frequently cannot provide the same level of care and attention. They may also have non-existent or extremely short working hours when questions or concerns can be addressed, although all medical alert systems must be available 24 hours a day for emergencies. Paying much more than $ 25 to $ 30 a month generally doesn’t give you any more benefits, and the extra charges are unnecessary.
The base unit of medical alert systems is the centerpiece of the system and should be located in a central and easily accessible area of the home. It has a powerful microphone and speaker and can be heard throughout the house or apartment. If you use a reputable company, the base unit will also automatically monitor itself for problems such as low battery and can also be programmed to respond to the buzzing of a smoke alarm system or other system in the house. And the friendly staff at the monitoring center can also assist the recipient of care by relaying reminders to take medication, perform glucose tests, or keep appointments and other events.
Some medical alert systems also offer out-of-home assistance for an additional cost. The development of GPS (global positioning system) has made it possible to add the device to the medical alert system that detects that the device has been activated outside the base of operations. Immediately after pressing the panic button, an email or text message is sent to the contact caregivers as well as the central monitoring system.
Don’t wait another day to call your loved one’s medical alert system providers and choose one with whom you feel comfortable. The peace of mind of immediate response and care will allow you to rest easy and enjoy a carefree existence, knowing that you have done everything possible to ensure the safety of the person receiving care.