Not all Medical Alarm Systems are the same!
What’s in a name? Some people call them Medical Alarm Systems, Medical Alert Systems, Emergency Alert System, Senior Alert System, Personal Emergency Response System, Mobile GPS Alert System, Urgent Response System and the list keeps growing.
Confused? You’re not alone. The medical alarm industry is commonly known as the PERS industry. PERS being defined as: Personal Emergency Response System. This industry has been around 30 plus years. As more and more companies enter this industry to provide this important service to customers it has become harder and harder to determine the differences between companies, systems and the service they offer.
What does this mean to a person who is interested in a Medical Alert System for themselves or for their loved one? I believe it means you need to educate yourselves to ensure you select the best solution.
Questions you should ask yourself before purchasing:
- Do I need a solution that only protects me when I’m in my home?
- Do I need a solution that protects me in my home and when I’m away from home?
- Taking a walk
- On a bike ride
- Driving
- Is the system I’m researching waterproof?
- Bath
- Shower
- Is the product I’m investigating a system or a device and what’s the difference?
- A device is a single piece of equipment, like a phone that may or may not be readily accessible at the time of an emergency.
- Typically cannot wear in the shower or bathtub
- Device is not accessible when charging
- A medical alert system is activated by a waterproof pendant or help button that you discretely wear around your neck or on your wrist at all times.
- You can send an alarm while in the shower or bathtub
- You can send an alarm when the system is plugged in and/or charging
- If you are away from home, you can activate your mobile device via the pendant even if the mobile device is out of reach
- Purse
- Golf Bag
Medical alert systems and mobile medical alert systems, also known as PERS, have been designed with the senior market in mind. How you ask? Here are some quick points: waterproof/wearable pendants or help buttons that activate your home base station and/or GPS mobile device, dispatching help to your home or GPS location in the event you cannot communicate, ongoing GPS updates so your location remains current, “central stations” which meet UL certification standards, among others.
While there are many products in the market today, some companies try to be all things to all people, such as Great Call®’s 5Star ResponderTM. 5Star Responder is promoted as a device for young children who are separated from their parents, for women who are nervous walking alone or for seniors who don’t know if they should call 911. While there is value in the first two scenarios, this is not a good alternative for a medical alert system.
While the price might be slightly lower don’t forget to read the fine print. As an example, Great Call’s 5Star Responder states, “5Star is not a substitute for 911. In the event of a critical emergency, always contact 911 immediately.” While that might be a good suggestion for someone who just witnessed an accident, it’s not a good idea for someone who is having a medical emergency such as a heart attack or stroke where they may not be able to speak. After all, aren’t you looking for a medical alert system to handle medical emergencies?
In my opinion, this is why Great Call’s 5Star Responder goes on to say, “Not all mobile personal emergency response systems have the same features. You should determine which features are important to you.” This statement makes perfect sense.
Bottom line, when shopping for a medical alert system, do your homework. Find a product, better yet, find a system that has been designed for seniors. Ask yourself if you need a system that just works at home or a system that will protect you at home and away from home.
MobileHelp® has designed an integrated system where the base station and mobile device work together with the same wearable and water-proof help button. While in the home, a press of your help button will activate the base station and mobile device utilizing your home phone line and cellular mobile device. When away from home your wearable help button will activate the GPS based cellular mobile device and sends your location to the UL listed central station. The operator at the central station knows who you are, where you are and has access to the medical information you provided. In the event you can’t speak help will be dispatched and loved-ones will be notified.
There is no age limit on the desire for safety and security. We need not be self conscious about wanting to keep ourselves happy and healthy for as long as possible. A mobile medical alert system like MobileHelp (www.MobileHelpNow.com) allows us to stay safe in our own homes and beyond. It provides greater independence for seniors (and everyone else!) and keeps us vital and active. Moments matter. Getting help quickly in an emergency can mean the difference between quick medical attention and complete recovery, or taking too long to get medical attention with tragic results.
MobileHelp utilizes cellular and GPS technology when you are away from the home to provide you assistance nationwide. If you or a loved one wants to be prepared for an unexpected emergency in the home and away from the home, give Mobile Help a try. MobileHelp www.MobileHelpNow.com offers a 30 day risk free trial so you have nothing to lose and independence to maintain.
5Star Urgent Response is a trademark and GreatCall is a registered trademark of GreatCall, Inc. MobileHelp is a registered trademark of MobileHelp.