What follows is Part 4 of a 4 Part series that will explain the variations in medical alert products and what you should know before you buy…

In the final installment of our series on Med Alert Systems, we’d like to offer a few quick tips on some of the items/features that are often overlooked in these systems.  Remember, the ultimate goal is to make an intelligent purchase!

One question we hear frequently is what is the difference in a “911 Dialer” and a full Medical Alert systems.  “911 Dialers” are typically available at drug stores, department stores, etc. They advertise a “One time fee”, which is the purchase price, and no monthly fees.  While these may look similar to a Medical Alert unit, they differ in that they have one function: Dial 911.  On the surface, this may seem to meet the basic requirement.  However, there are drawbacks to this type of device, not the least of which is the ability to test it on a regular basis without contacting the 911 emergency center. If it’s not tested regularly, how can you confirm it’s function???  In addition, this type of unit does not provide health information to the responders, nor does it allow for “lesser needs” calls, such as having a neighbor or family member be contacted for some reason.

Before making your purchase, you should ask where the monitoring center is located. During a crisis clear communication is crucial, and adding an off-shore accent to deal with can slow things down.  Finally, on-going support & service are important.  When you’re depending on a device for emergency events, it’s comforting to know that, if there is a problem, it’s easily resolved.  Local service is invaluable in this regard.

All of the units carried by our agency are installed & supported locally, our monitoring is provided by a CSAA 5-star U.S. center, and we’re close by.  In addition, we have the ability to “tailor” your response needs to the unit.  IE: Call a neighbor first to have them come over.  Configuration changes and setup like this are free of charge with our products.  Feel free to view the most popular units we have on our web site.  If you have any questions,  give us a call.  We’ll be glad to assist you in any way we can!

What follows is Part 3 of a 4 Part series that will explain the variations in medical alert products and what you should know before you buy…

We continue our multi-part series on Med Alert systems with explanations of options and features that one should understand before making a purchase.  As you’ll recall, we previously mentioned that our standard system has a button which is worn by the user, has a range of about 300′ on average, and will contact our monitoring center when the button is pressed.  But what other options are available? In Part-3 we’ll highlight a few of the most popular:

1) Critical Information Forwarding.  All of our Direct Link products have the option of forwarding critical information to the emergency responders. For instance, if someone is on a complex drug regimen, or under treatment for an illness, our units can provide that information to the responding agency.  In addition, if there is a hidden key outside of the home that will allow easy entry, the responders will be informed of where to find it!  This is a great feature when you consider that when emergency responders arrive at a locked home, they will typically break a window or door to gain access. Knowing that a key is available to enter the dwelling is invaluable. BTW, this is a free option on all Home Helpers Direct Link products!

2) Fall sensing. This should be a consideration for any person that is a fall hazard. In this case, the button has a small sensor in it that will detect when a client falls.  It will then automatically activate an emergency alert request without additional intervention from the user.  Fall sensing will typically add a small cost to the monthly rate, but for someone who is unsteady, it is well worth the expense.

3) 2-Way Pendants.  With a standard alert system, after sending an alert, the user will speak to the call center through the base unit. If they are too far from the base to converse, the next action would typically be to dispatch emergency responders. 2-Way Pendants allow the user to speak through the pendant! Also, these units typically have more range than a standard pendant, continuing to function up to about 600 feet from the base.  This is a good choice for someone who likes to be out of the home, but is still in the neighborhood.

4) Mobile Units. A mobile medical alert uses a cellular network to communicate with the monitoring center, and incorporates a built in GPS receiver. This allows the user to travel anywhere there is cellular coverage, and if help is needed, the GPS will identify where they are located.  Assistance can then be dispatched to that location!  In addition, the user is able to speak with the Response Center directly through the pendant.  This type of device is great for someone that is active and is out of the home on a regular basis.

With the exception of #1 above, adding options tends to increase cost. If the option is not really needed or provides some value, then the buyer should consider saving that money! Besides, with our products, upgrades can be made at any time.

Click here to visit our monitoring products page…