As technology and Artificial Intelligence advances, the range of options has grown
So how to choose a medical alert system since the range of options available is increasing every day. Choosing the right personal emergency response system for yourself or a vulnerable member of your family can be quiet daunting.
Definitions:
- A medical alert system — often referred to as a personal emergency response system (PERS),
- Medical emergency response system (MERS) or fall monitor
- Surveillance / Movement sensing systems — may be too invasive I certainly wouldn’t want family or friends watching where I am in my house (or be watched by hackers) My privacy is important to me!
- Daily check-in by phone automated or manual
— all can provide increased independence for our loved ones and peace of mind for us as family caregivers.
But now, how do you select the best Alert that suits your family situation?
As technology advances are making it much much more complicated, the range of options has grown from the original necklace pendant device with a button which just called your allocated family, neighbour to calling an emergency response centre in case of emergency. Present-day systems may include fall detection or prevention, in-home health and well-being monitors, fitness trackers, movement sensors, daily manual calls, voice-activated internet-connected and more.
To select a medical alert system one needs to understand your vulnerable loved one’s specific needs and abilities — today and how things might change over time.
For example, if the vulnerable loved one has dementia, could the medical alert system be operated properly if the need arose? In this case, would an automatic medical alert system, such as a fall-detection device, be more suitable? Another simple automated system, that requires no extra equipment, delivers a phone call every day. When the emergency happens will your vulnerable loved one be able to use the Medical Alert system you have decided on OR be able to speak and be heard and if not
HOW LONG WILL IT BE UNTIL YOUR VULNERABLE LOVED ONE WILL BE FOUND
And note that any of these devices may not cover all that is required to keep your family member/s safe, there may be free trial periods available so just ask so you can see what works best for your vulnerable loved one,
5 Things that are important to consider when selecting your Medical Alert Device:
1. What you need the system to have to do
- Direct Call for help – Emergency Services No in your country (fire department, police, ambulance) or a Wearable device with a button to push for help may connect to your family & friends live.
- Fall detection or prevention – Every second of every day in the United States an older adult falls, making falls the number one cause of injuries and deaths from injury among older Americans. In fact, it’s possibly the most common reason for looking into a medical alert system.
- Medical monitoring – Monitoring health vitals, calls to ensure correct medication compliance. For Medication reminders CONTACT US
- GPS location detection and tracking – May Useful if your loved one is still driving and independent but has a medical condition which would need you to find but in that case probably should be driving unless they’re in a self drivable robot vehicle.
- Activity monitoring – Motion detectors, beacons and cameras that track movement in the home – big one on privacy here and possible hacking of IoT.
- Daily check-in services – Via a live person either in person or by phone or electronic daily automated call check-in to ensure all is well.
- Fitness tracking – Heart rate, blood pressure, built-in step counters and tools offering information, health challenges, etc. with virtual family connections
- Home security monitoring – DVR, fire, smoke and carbon monoxide sensors and alarms
- Daily check-in call.
A daily automated or voice call.
The answering of the call signals all is well.
2. What type of system or combination of systems would work best
CareCallingNow is available is daily check-in automated call every day
Calls made to your landline, call, mobile, VOIP
- Is the device wearable and comfortable (not too heavy, no sharp edges or strap materials, or electromagnetic effects which may irritate you or your fragile skin) to wear, is your vulnerable loved one vain and needs a device that is attractive or unobtrusive enough to be willing to wear it?
- How waterproof is it? Fully waterproof and can it be worn in the shower or be fully immersed in water in the sink or bathtub? Many falls happen in the bathroom and kitchen and often at night when many remove worn items like jewellery, so this is vital.
- Does it have a base unit, if so what’s the range, mobility and connectivity? Will it work when they are outside in the yard or garage? Can you connect to a smartphone or via Bluetooth? etc.
- What is the quality of service? How durable is the system?
- Technology is changing rapidly will it be up to date tomorrow?
- How’s is the battery charged? Do you have to take off the device to charge it? Will you know when the battery is low?
- As technology changes rapidly what sort of expertise will you need to connect your device? If the software is involved will updates be implemented (automatically or manually)? Is a specialist required to install, update, or just manage the system?
- What type of phone service is required — cellular or landline, or both? Will you or can you add extra panic buttons around the home?
- Is it portable? If your loved ones move, can the system move with them?
- Do you have a lockbox? Is a lockbox included? Installation of a lockbox so that access, if needed to enter the home should the resident become incapacitated.
- What is the connectivity? Can family members connect with the device using a smartphone, tablet or computer?
3. Monitoring and Response Details of the Medical Care Alert System.
- Monitored systems with a 24/7 response centre. Is the response centre certified? Is the response centre able to communicate in your vulnerable loved one’s preferred language? How will you and your vulnerable loved one be notified or know that action is being taken?
- Can you designate how you want various types of alerts/calls (urgent, nonurgent, emergency)? Does the system notify a response centre, family/friends or immediately directly contact emergency services (police, fire department, ambulances)?
- Customer service. Quality customer relations are key. There should be a live person you can call 24/7 with questions about the service. Other options may include email, live chat, an easy-to-navigate website and a comprehensive FAQ section.
- Cybersecurity. How does the company protect private information and can the system be secured locally at your residences to prevent hackers from accessing your system?
4. Medical Care Alert System Costs. What to Look Out For?
CareCallingNow is available Right for $1 per day
No Extra fees, No contracts Cancel any.
- Fees. Usually, complicated pricing plans or hidden fees. This makes it hard to make comparisons. Look for a company with no extra fees related to equipment, shipping, installation, activation, or service and repair. Beware of scams.
- Contracts. Watch out for long-term contracts although where equipment is installed in your house contracts may be longer or upfront fees will be larger. Monthly fees, range between $25 and $45 a month (about $1 a day). If your paying for the system in advance make sure they have a refund policy, since you may need to stop the service temporarily (due to a hospitalization, or a holiday for instance) or permanently.
Can you cancel anytime without penalty? - What guarantee and cancellation policies? Normally expect a full money-back guarantee for any unused portion or if the trial period is unsatisfactory. Look for the ability to cancel at any time with no penalties (and a full refund of any prepaid portion).
- Discounts. Check if discounts for veterans, membership organizations, medical insurance or via a hospital, medical or care organization.
- Insurance. Generally, Medicare and private insurance companies don’t cover the costs of medical alert systems. But it will you no harm to check with your insurance company to see if it pays a part of or offers discounts or referrals.
5. Availability in your local area
CareCallingNow is available in most local and international areas. Check out which countries are available right now
Many companies offer traditional medical alert services. Often are not able to offer services near you check out your local business guide. There cell mobile service apps that work like traditional medical alert services but are usually not monitored. Technology companies are offering voice-based solutions and home security companies are now offering these services as an add on.
- Online searches using keywords such as “care calls” “safety calls” “medical alert systems,” “personal emergency response systems,” “fall detection devices” and “urgent response devices,” including state or local community. Contact your local aged care agency and see what they can recommend.
- When you check out which senior facility your vulnerable loved one moves in to. Make sure what it may offer as an in-house or external medical alert system or daily care call service to make sure you are OKAY every day as part of their overall services. Beware if they have pull cords around the room or apartment. Too often people don’t fall or become ill within convenient reach of the pull cord.
- Investigate many services or discounts offered through local or national membership organizations, veterans groups or the Department of Veterans Affairs, hospitals or community organizations aged care organizations.
- Are you already connected to a home security system and service it may be possible to add a daily check-in call or medical alert system for a small additional fee?
- Get referrals. Ask friends and family members if they can recommend any medical alert systems they have used or if their parents have actually worn the medical alert or what the issues were.
How to choose a medical care alert system
Did they wear the necklace push-button care alert?
If they didn’t have one or wear one.
What did they do?
What was their solution?
Who checked in on them every day to make sure they were well?
If you have decided on how to choose a medical alert system and actually selected a system. One the check-in system is in place be sure to check that it is working for your vulnerable loved ones. Don’t hesitate to choose another medical alert system or combine it with another service if it isn’t a good fit — it could save a life and save the quality of life of your vulnerable loved one.
How to Choose a Medical Alert System
When you know how to choose a medical alert system. Remember it is important to know that the loved one will wear it at all times.
On many medical alert devices websites have articles saying.
“If Mom won’t wear her device you should keep trying to convince her”
That is the most important of all the points on how to choose a medical alert system. Always remember that choosing only one may still leave you short in an emergency.
For the perfect solution add a Daily Safety Wellness Check-In Call to make sure your loved one is OK.
This will ensure that your Mum is OKAY every-day.