MedScope: Medical Alert Systems

Today in the New York Times, a story featured the plight of one New York elder couple insisting on staying at home.  It is proof that American seniors, despite concerns with general and mental health, want to be where they are most comfortable: in their homes. 

A portion of the article reads as follows:
“Mr. Allen has been hobbled since he fractured his spine in a fall down the stairs, and expects to lose his driver’s license when it comes up for renewal when he turns 85. Mrs. Allen recently broke four ribs getting out of bed. Neither can climb a ladder to change a light bulb, or crouch under the kitchen sink to fix a leak. Stores and public transportation are an uncomfortable hike.
So the Allens have banded together with their neighbors, who are equally determined to avoid being forced from their homes by dependence. Along with more than 100 communities nationwide — a dozen of them here in Washington and its suburbs — they are part of a movement to make neighborhoods comfortable places to grow old, both for elderly men and women in need of help but not ready for assisted living, and for baby boomers anticipating the future.
‘We are totally dependent on ourselves,’ Mr. Allen said. ‘But I want to live in a mixed community, not just with the elderly. And as long as we can do it here, that’s what we want.’
The Allens’ wish to live out their lives in familiar surroundings, shared by almost nine in 10 Americans over age 60, according to numerous polls, may soon become a reality. Their group has registered as a nonprofit association, developed a business plan based on membership dues and begun lining up providers of transportation, home repair, companionship, daily security check-ins and other services to meet their needs at home for as long as possible.
Urban planners and senior housing experts say that this movement, organized by residents rather than government agencies or social services providers, could make ‘aging in place’ safe and affordable for the majority of elderly people. Many of these communities are calling themselves ‘villages,’ playing on the notion that it takes a village to raise a child and also support the aged in their decline. They are expected to open this fall on Capitol Hill, in Cambridge, Mass., New Canaan, Conn., Palo Alto, Calif., and Bronxville, N.Y .
‘Providers don’t always need to do things for the elderly,” said Philip McCallion, director of the Center for Excellence in Aging Services at the State University of New York at Albany. “There are plenty of ideas how to do this within the aging community.’”
Did you see those numbers?  A full 90% of seniors over the age of 60 want to stay at home.

Re: Life Alert  Lifeline Life Line

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A Medical Alarm System consists of an Emergency Communicator, which is the size of an answering machine and connects the same way in about 5 minutes.  It is powered by electricity, but will fully function for 16 to 24 hours on a battery back-up system should the customer experience a power outage. The battery in the pendant (transmitter) will last for a full 10 years, or 50,000 pushes.  The transmitters, available in either necklace or wristband style, are completely waterproof and will function up to 800 feet from the home. 

Should an emergency arise, the customer may simply press the button on the lightweight, waterproof pendant.  A response operator will immediately establish two-way voice communication.  Upon telling the operator the nature of the situation, he or she will dispatch the appropriate responder (ambulance, police or fire department), or, if requested, simply notify a nearby neighbor or family member. The response operators are available 24 hours a day 365 days a year.

If the Response operator can’t hear you, or you are unable to speak:
The operator will dispatch your local emergency personnel immediately.
The operator will continue to talk to you until help actually walks through your front door.
Next, the operator will call your list of responders. These are people, friends or family, who preferably live within five minutes of your home. The operator will call them so that they can meet the emergency personnel at your door.  This way, they don’t have to break in to gain access. If responders are not a solution for you, a good alternative or addition, is to use a Lock Box that has your house key locked in it. This box can hang on your door knob or be attached to the door frame.  When the emergency personnel is called, they are given the combination to the lock box.  They can then use the combination to retrieve your key from inside the box.

Once help is on the way, another operator will start calling a list of your family members or friends that you have previously chosen to be notified.  The operator will calmly explain the situation to them.  These systems are also referred to as Life Alert systems.

RE:   Lifeline Life Line

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An emergency alert system can provide safety and security for seniors while allowing them to live independently. Most of these systems consist of a button on a pendant worn around the neck or wrist and a device hooked into the telephone system. Before you enroll your parents or loved ones in one of these programs, there are a few things you need to know.

Contract terms
Check into the terms of the contract. Read the fine print. Some contracts last for three years, even if the person moves into a care facility or dies. Some will let you cancel the contract, but require six months notice.

Select the services
Most systems offer multiple services. People tend to think of the fall sensor alert when they think of these services because of a popular advertisement. The devices also offer speaker phone functions with remote dialing and answering, reminder services, two-way voice communication, smoke detection, gas detection, medication dispensers, door and window contacts, and motion sensors.

Power
Does the system have a battery backup? How long with the batteries last, in the event of an extended power outage?

Talk to the sales people
Call the company. Find out if the sales pitch is high-pressure. Don’t give your relatives’ phone number until you’ve made the decision. Seniors may be confused, if the sales person says they’ve talked with you and you want them to order the system. If you are uncomfortable with the sales pitch or people, select another company.

Pricing
Check on the pricing for the features you want. Prices vary between companies and between plans for the same company.

Customer Service
Call the service center before you sign up for the service. Are they responsive? Do the customer representatives sound as if they care about the customer?

Complaints
Check with the Better Business Bureau and other consumer organizations for complaints against the company you’ve selected.

Payment
Use a credit card rather than have a deduction from your bank account. In case of a payment dispute, the credit card company can withhold payment and handle any problems.

Talk to your parents
The hardest part of the process may be to convince your parents that the service will be beneficial to them. Explain the features of the Lifeline system.. Show them how the system will let them maintain their independence and allow them to stay in their own house longer. Also tell them that it’s more for your peace of mind than anything else. Let them think they are doing it for your benefit.

Train your parents
Show them how to use the Life Alert system. Help them practice using the various features.  Once a good system is in place, you and your parents will be able to rest easier.

RE:  Lifeline Life Line

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One can compare medical alert systems on the basis of value, cost-effectiveness and quality. Purchase price, monthly fee, and alert neighbor facility are some of the features that can be taken into consideration.

It is a common practice for companies to compare their medical alert systems with those produced by other companies. Besides, companies provide comparison of their own products. Some of these alert systems come with warranty whereas some do not have one. Many of these products are endorsed by major medical foundations.

Some medical alert systems are specifically designed to cater to seniors living alone or left alone frequently, while others cater to both elderly people and those with certain medical conditions. Emergency medical response systems for babysitters and woodworkers are among the alert systems with maximum utility value. Watch type systems hide their alert buttons under the face of a water-resistant, fully-functional wristwatch. Some other alert systems resemble jewelry and can be worn on the wrist or around the neck. Yet others can be mounted on the wall for convenient access.

While most medical alert systems have console units, some alert systems have no console unit. One of the best examples for an alert system without console is the cell phone type alert system, which directly sends messages to the monitoring center. The alert systems with console unit work indoors or outdoors up to 100 feet from the console unit. Wireless alert systems have adjustable infrared sensors that transmit signals up to 1200 feet, and detect motion up to 30 feet away. Some medical alert systems inform the subscriber during dialing, shutdown, system test, and battery test.

To compare medical alert systems on the basis of battery life, the working time ranges from 18 to 24 hours without any power supply. Motion detector and fall sensor are additional pieces of equipment available with most medical alert devices.

Re: Life Alert Lifeline Life Line

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There are several types of medical alert systems. Each company seems to give you a different price, service, and explanation of how they work. So how do you choose a Personal Emergency Response System (medical alert system) when the time finally comes? When choosing a medical alarm you must first look at the company and the services they provide. How reliable is their equipment? Do they offer 24 hr assistance? How fast is their response? These are just a few of the questions you have to ask yourself before determining what service to go with.

Most medical alert systems are connected to your existing phone line. They connect using standard telephone wires (similar to an answering machine). Once the unit is hooked up, you’ll want to test the system to ensure proper connectivity. When the unit is activated (as you test), you will be able understand the volume at which the speaker operates. Most consoles use a very loud speaker and sensitive microphone so you-ll be able to communicate with an emergency operator throughout your entire home. Most alarms also feature a wireless, water-proof transmitter (normally you have a choice between a necklace or wrist strap) that interacts with the console when help is needed. The console, located near the telephone, will immediately call or notify a trained professional (when the emergency button is pressed) who will communicate with you over the console. The trained professional will then dispatch the appropriate help (ambulance, police, or fire departments). If there is no answer, help will be dispatched automatically. The operator will also inform any friends or family members that you would like to be notified (this information is collected ahead of time). Medical alarms are great for expecting mothers, the elderly, handicapped, or diabetic patients.

Cost

Most companies will rent the equipment to you for as long as you need it – at no cost. The fees that you incur are usually for the installation of the equipment, and the monitoring of that equipment. To clarify, there is a monthly fee you pay to have that equipment monitored 24-hours a day by a team of response operators. The installation fee ranges from $0 - $100 and monthly monitoring fees range from $30 - $75. One company that I am aware of that charges no installation fee for their medical alert system is MedScope America Corporation (http://www.medscope.org).

Questions to ask when purchasing a medical alert system:

How fast is the response?
Does the console have a rechargeable battery?
Is the console attached to your existing phone line?
What if the phone is busy during an emergency?
Is the wireless transmitter waterproof?
Is there a guarantee on parts, labor, and services?
How far can the transmitter communicate with the console?
What is the monthly fee?
Any other charges. Setup, Activation, or Termination Fees?

Safety Tips

Keep emergency numbers in large print near each phone.
Put a phone near the floor in case you fall and can-t get up.
Think about wearing a Medical Alarm that will bring help in case you fall and can’t get up.

Re: Life Alert Lifeline Life Line

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Medical Alert Systems for Caregivers: 

If you are one of 54 million Americans caring for a family member, you know firsthand that care giving can be a difficult job that weighs heavily on your physical and emotional well being. It has been statistically proven that full-time caregivers have a 63% chance of dying early due to stress-related conditions and often suffer from depression. Therefore, taking time out to care for yourself should be done with the same amount of importance and devotion that is given to your loved one. But sometimes, making personal needs a priority is difficult since the heavy demands of tending to a loved one’s needs may leave little time for self-care and can even make running quick errands a challenge.  One solution that has worked for many caregivers are the use of medical alert systems, which provide peace of mind while taking time to attend to needs away from the home. Medical alert systems supply 24/7 emergency assistance simply by pressing the button on a medical alert device, which is usually in the form of a wristband or necklace. From there, trained operators are able to communicate directly with the person in need, access important medical information, contact you or a neighbor for assistance, and in the event of an emergency, dispatch the local EMS.  There are several medical alert systems on the market today. Most are similar in concept, but can vary greatly in services offered, fees charged and reliability. You should look for a Medical Alert System provider that does not require a long-term contract or charge additional fees for installation and equipment. Some questions to consider when researching different companies include:  How reliable is their equipment? Do they offer 24 hr assistance? How fast is their response time? Are extra fees charged for multiple users in the same household?Is there a guarantee on parts, labor, and services? 

It is also helpful to get feedback from other customers about a particular medical alert system provider. Instead of simply reading testimonials on a company’s website, do your own research. Find out if any complaints have been filed against the company. Some companies even give you access to their customers so you can speak with them directly about their experiences. To receive the greatest benefit from a medical alert system, it’s important to research companies well before deciding on the best system for you and your family. Doing so will help you rest assured that a loved one’s needs are taken care of in your absence and provide the peace of mind needed to fully relax and rejuvenate your spirit while taking a much needed break from the demands of care giving.Re: Life Alert Lifeline Life Line

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Medical Alerts or alarm systems are not only useful for the old, infirm or weak, but also for those who are recovering from surgery and cannot move about easily. Nobody, not even those suffering from serious ailments and prone to sudden medical emergencies, would like to publicly display their medical conditions by wearing gadgets, even though they may be of crucial importance to them and save their lives. The image-conscious people feel awkward wearing these labels in the form of necklaces and strange bracelets. But wearing them is essential to save their lives, because some medical compulsions necessitate the instant identification of the problem so that medical aid may be summoned immediately in the event of emergency. Therefore, for millions of people suffering from innumerable diseases, this unwanted advertisement of their malady is necessary for their protection.

Medical jewelry designers have found a compromise solution to reduce this feeling of awkwardness by creating some artistic and attractive accessories, which serve their medical purpose by providing the critical medical identification and also look fashionable and trendy on the wearer. Moreover, wearing these gadgets gives the patients a great sense of security, confidence and peace, besides providing them with a Medical Alert system that can connect them to their family members and doctors in the event of emergency. They are of invaluable help to patients suffering from critical ailments such as cardiovascular complications, diabetic problems or sudden fainting or strokes.

A Medical Alert or alarm system has dual communication lines. It sends messages to the family or friends of the patient, and also an SOS to summon aid immediately from the medical agency that constantly monitors his condition.

These Medical Alerts and alarm systems have three important parts: a medical alarm button embedded in the pendant of the necklace or the bracelet, an alarm console to dial for help, and a Medical Alert service that monitors and responds to the call for help.

The market is crammed with such designer accessories. You may surf the Internet, visit a store personally or wade through the Yellow Pages, TV or the newspaper advertisements. The more you search, the more you are likely to be confused. It is better to be practical. Rather than giving preference to the glamour value of the gadget, you should consider its technical features and usefulness for your health. The unfamiliar technical jargon may baffle you. The best course would be to consult your doctor, or a fellow sufferer of the disease that is afflicting you.

Medical Alerts provides detailed information about medical alerts, medical alert systems, medical alert bracelets, medical alert necklaces and more.

 Re: Life Alert Lifeline Life Line

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