How to Purchase Medical Alert Monitoring Systems for Seniors

Some seniors choose to live alone.

Medical Alert Monitoring systems also known as Personal Emergency Response Systems (PERS) are electronic devices that are designed to help you contact help in the case of an emergency. If you are a senior citizen who lives alone, is disabled and/or spends a substantial time alone you should consider purchasing a Medical Alert Monitoring System. The system consists of three basic components: a small radio transmitter you wear, a console connected to your telephone and an emergency response center that monitors yours calls. When you activate your transmitter by pressing the button, the console automatically dials the number that it has been programmed to call, which is usually to a call center. The call center staff then determines the nature of the emergency by either directly talking to you if your transmitter or console is outfitted with a speaker, or by activating a pre-established protocol of action. The Monitoring Systems hardware can be either be bought or rented.|

Things You'll Need

• Medical Alert Monitoring console and transmitter

Instructions

1. 

   Check out several different systems before you make your purchase. The transmitter can be worn as a pendant or wristwatch and is relatively unobtrusive. The console or base station has a very sensitive microphone or speaker unit, which allows you to speak to the call center if you cannot physically get to the phone. There are some systems that come with different accessories like fall sensors, smoke and motion detectors, and others that are equipped with batteries in case of a power outage.

2. Determine if the system can be used with different response centers in case you move. You should be able to unplug the unit, relocate, and then reinstall the unit at your new location. This is extremely useful if you have both winter and summer residences, allowing you to purchase one unit to use at both locations.

3. Compare the cost of different systems, the features provided, and the servicing available. The most expensive medical monitoring system is not necessarily the best system.

4. Determine the ease of use of the system and the simplicity of the design. The system should have flexibility that allows use in places like the shower and out in the yard.

5. Ensure that the system works from all parts of the house and that nothing interferes with its functionality.

6. Read the purchase agreement or the lease application carefully making sure you understand it before you sign it.

7. Determine the hours of operation of the response center; they should be available 24/7 to provide support. Ask the response center what their average response time is.

8. Determine what kind of training the center's staff receive. Some call centers outsource their service to places as far as India, so make sure your call center is US based--the more local the center the better. Operators should be trained by certified Security Industry Association (SIA) members or be certified by the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials-International, Inc. (APCO), which certifies 911 dispatchers.

9. Ask the center how often they test their systems and what procedures they use to test their system. This is important to ensure that the system is functioning properly.

Tips & Warnings

• Ask about additional fees besides the cost of the medic alert system, like installation fees and a monthly monitoring charge If you are low income some agencies will subsidize the cost of the system

Resources

• Visit the AARP site for information on PERS.
• FTC information about PERS