What Is A Medical Alert System?

Many people have heard of medical alert systems, but may be wondering exactly “what is a medical alert system?”

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 or wearable medical alert watch is extremely useful in such situations as it allows the user to get help, even if he or she is not near a phone.

What is a medical alert system?

Medical alert systems are useful tools for elderly and disabled people who live alone. This technology allows seniors 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. The intercom is programmed to dial out to a 24/7/365 call center in which emergency dispatchers are standing by to help when activated by the emergency button. The third, unseen, key component of the system is the Customer Information Profile.

In the Customer Information Profile, the user will fill in their location, the contacts they want called in an emergency and in what order, and also list any other important factors that the paramedics need to take into consideration when responding to their emergency call.

All important medical information (such as allergies) should be noted on the user’s Vial of Life, and be placed somewhere that is easy for emergency personnel to have access to. Although we do not store medical information, we do need to know the location of the Vial of Life so our dispatchers can tell the EMTs.

This saves the user from having to describe all this information to a 911 operator who does not know who you are or where you are. It can be especially tough to describe all this when in the midst of an emergency.

What happens when I press my medical alert button?

When the emergency button is pressed, a call will be placed to one of our call centers, where a trained professional will respond immediately at any time – day or night – to assist the user. 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.

How will the emergency dispatchers enter my home in an emergency?

In the Customer Information Profile, the user will provide instructions for how they would like the emergency responders to enter their home. Whether that be through a spare key kept outside the home, a lockbox, garage code, gate code, or a nearby neighbor or family member who has a set of spare keys. The paramedics will enter the home accordingly.

What kind of medical alert button will I get?

When ordering one of our in-home systems, the system will come with a necklace-style button by default, as that is our most popular button. However, if a wristband-style button is preferred, please indicate so in the notes section of the order, or give us a call at 1-877-522-9633, and we’ll happy to accommodate that request.

Our GPS Medical Alert System comes with a lanyard and belt pouch clip option.

What else does my medical alert system come with?

The medical alert system will also include Vial of Life to keep on the fridge, or in another easy accessible place, that states any medical conditions or medications that the user is taking, so the paramedics quickly can assess the situation and send over assistance.

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.

What types of medical alert systems are available?

Bay Alarm Medical offers different types of medical alert service to meet various lifestyle and budgetary needs – from our in-home landline system, in-home cellular system, to our GPS-enabled medical alert system.

To see more about the personalized help that medical alert systems can provide, go here. For more on how medical alert systems work, check out our FAQ page. If you have any further questions, or would like to request information on our medical alert systems, please give us a call at 1-877-522-9633.