News

What is a medical alert system?

Medical alert systems are useful tools for elderly and disabled people who live alone. This technology allows a senior to live at home worry-free, as a personal emergency response team is only a touch of a button away.

The setup often includes an intercom with a two-way speaker and a wearable pendant with an emergency button. This equipment is often easy to install so individuals can do it themselves, or with the assistance of a family member or friend.

Most systems have a wide enough range to cover an entire home, and the pendants are waterproof so they can be worn in the shower and will work in the rain. They are also equipped to deal with electrical outages with backup batteries so the system is operational even when the power goes out.

At the touch of a button, the user can contact a call center, where a trained professional will respond immediately at any time – day or night – to assist the caller. The operators will be able to contact family members, friends and emergency services when necessary. They will also remain on the line until help arrives.

In certain cases, the alert system can be programmed to contact a family member or a friend directly, instead of a call center, but the answering service is guaranteed to be available, while a loved one might not answer their phone right away.

Some medical alarm services keep a record of user's prescriptions and medical history so they are better able to help them during emergency situations. Since elderly individuals are often taking multiple medications, it can be essential for the operator to know what they are. The operator can relay the information to emergency responders, which can help them more effectively treat an individual when they arrive on the scene.

Every year, one in three adults over the age of 65 will experience a fall, which can result in injury, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The longer it takes a senior to get help, the worse the injury can be. A medical alert system is extremely useful in such situations as it allows the user to get help, even if he or she is not near a phone.

When emergency responders arrive to a home, they will do whatever they need to do to gain entrance and assist the individual within. Many people who use medical alert services also leave keys outside or with neighbors, and the call center responders are able to alert emergency services of the whereabouts of the keys so they can get into the home without breaking down the door.