MedScope: Medical Alert Systems

Seniors Open to New Solutions
The study examined seniors’ attitudes toward technologies that enable an independent life.
• Virtually all seniors are comfortable using the telephone, while almost half of seniors are comfortable using personal computers, the  internet and email.
• Not surprisingly, seniors’ comfort level with computer technology decreased in older age groups, particularly those over 75 years of age.
• 65% of seniors say they are open to or would like to use new technologies that enable independence.
• More than half (54%) would consider the use of ambient technology in their homes - specifically, sensors - to monitor their health and safety.
Boomers Worried about Aging Parents
The study also examined the attitudes of Baby Boomers who have at least one living parent.
• The vast majority (94%) of Boomers say it is important that their senior parents be able to age in place; however, 79% are concerned about their parents’ ability to do so, and 57% are very concerned.
• 82% fear their parents might be mistreated if they move into a nursing home, and 89% worry their parents would be saddened by the loss of their independence.
• 79% say they are worried that their parents would not like living in a nursing home, and 70% are concerned their parents will be scared to move out of their homes.
• Parents’ health is another major issue of concern for Baby Boomers, with 77% saying so; 75% also say they are worried about the potential for falls/injuries (75%) and their parents’ ability to drive (58%).
• Most Boomers are not concerned that their parents might someday be a burden to them: 51% say they are not concerned that they may have to financially support their parents; 60% say they are not concerned that their parents might have to move in with them.

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Seniors Want to Age in Place, Don’t Ask for Help
• The vast majority of seniors (89%) say the ability to age in place - or live independently and remain in one’s home - is very important, but more than half of those surveyed (53%) are concerned with their ability to do so.
• Seniors cite three primary concerns that could jeopardize their ability to live independently: health problems (53%); memory problems (26%); and inability to drive and/or get around (23%).
• Seniors say they do not expect nor do they receive much support from those around them:
o The majority of seniors (55%) view themselves as very independent in that they receive no assistance from their children and seem content with that fact.
o The vast majority (75%) said their children are involved “enough” in their life.
• Seniors who do require help from others receive assistance with household maintenance (20%), transportation (13%) and healthcare (8%). Very few (1%) reported receiving financial support.

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Senior citizens fear moving into a nursing home and losing their independence more than they fear death, according to a study, “Aging in Place in America,” commissioned by Clarity and The EAR Foundation, which also found that the Baby Boomer children of seniors also fear for their parents.
Boomers express particular concern about their parents’ emotional and physical wellbeing should they have to enter a nursing home, finds the study, which examines the attitudes and anxieties of the nation’s elderly population (via MediaPost).When asked what they fear most, seniors rated loss of independence (26%) and moving out of home into a nursing home (13%) as their greatest fears. Death was cited as the greatest fear for just 3% of seniors.

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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.

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Personal Emergency Response Systems  - Produced in cooperation with AARP

A Personal Emergency Response System (PERS) is an electronic device designed to let you summon help in an emergency. If you are a disabled or an older person living alone, you may be thinking about buying a PERS (also called a Medical Emergency Response System).

How a PERS Works
A PERS has three components: a small radio transmitter
a) help button carried or worn by the user
b) a console connected to the user’s telephone
c) an emergency response center that monitors calls.

When emergency help (medical, fire, or police) is needed, the PERS user presses the transmitter’s help button. It sends a radio signal to the console. The console automatically dials one or more pre-selected emergency telephone numbers. Most systems can dial out even if the phone is in use or off the hook. (This is called “seizing the line.”) Most PERS are programmed to telephone an emergency response center where the caller is identified. The center will try to determine the nature of the emergency. Center staff also may review your medical history and check to see who should be notified.

If the center cannot contact you or determine whether an emergency exists, it will alert emergency service providers to go to your home. With most systems, the center will monitor the situation until the crisis is resolved.

Transmitters
Transmitters are light-weight, battery-powered devices that are activated by pressing one or two buttons. They can be worn on a chain around the neck or on a wrist band, or they can be carried on a belt or in a pocket. Because the transmitter is battery-powered, the batteries must be checked periodically to ensure they work. Some units have an indicator to help you know when to change batteries.

The Console
The console acts as an automatic dialing machine and sends the emergency alert through the phone lines. It works with any private telephone line and generally does not require rewiring. If you have more than one phone extension, a special jack or wiring may be required to enable the console to seize the line.

Emergency Response Center
There are two types of emergency response centers - provider-based and manufacturer-based. Provider-based centers usually are located in the user’s local area and are operated by hospitals or social service agencies. Manufacturer-based operations usually have one national center. Sometimes, consumers who purchase systems can choose between provider-based and manufacturer-based centers, but consumers who rent systems from a PERS manufacturer usually must use its national center.

Purchasing, Renting, or Leasing a PERS
A PERS can be purchased, rented, or leased. Neither Medicare nor Medicaid, in most states, will pay for the purchase of equipment, nor will most insurance companies. The few insurance companies that do pay require a doctor’s recommendation. Some hospitals and social service agencies may subsidize fees for low-income users. Purchase prices for a PERS normally range from $200 to more than $1,500. However, some consumers have reported paying $4,000 to $5,000 for a PERS. You also will have to pay an installation fee and a monthly monitoring charge which may cost from $10 to $30.

Rentals are available through national manufacturers, local distributors, hospitals, and social service agencies. Monthly fees may range from $15 to $50 and usually include the monitoring service.

Lease agreements can be long-term or lease-to-purchase. If you lease, review the contract carefully before signing. Make special note of cancellation clauses, which may require you to pay a cancellation fee or other charges.

Before purchasing, renting, or leasing a system, check the unit for defects. Ask to see the warranty and service contract and get any questions resolved. Ask about the repair policy. Find out how to arrange for a replacement or repair if a malfunction occurs.

If a PERS salesperson solicits you by phone, and you are interested in the device, ask for information about prices, system features, and services. You can then use the information to comparison shop among other PERS providers. If the salesperson is reluctant to provide information except through an in-home visit, you may want to consider doing business with another company. In-home sales visits can be high pressure, and the salesperson may urge you to buy before you are ready to make a decision.

Before doing business with companies selling PERS, you may want to contact your local consumer protection agency, state Attorney General’s Office, and Better Business Bureau (BBB). Ask if any complaints have been filed against the companies you are considering. You also may want to get recommendations from friends, neighbors, or relatives who use emergency response systems.

Shopping Checklist
To help you shop for a PERS that meets your needs, consider the following suggestions:

Check out several systems before making a decision.
Find out if you can use the system with other response centers. For example, can you use the same system if you move?
Ask about the pricing, features, and servicing of each system and compare costs.
Make sure the system is easy to use.
Test the system to make sure it works from every point in and around your home. Make sure nothing interferes with transmissions.
Read your purchase, rental, or lease agreement carefully before signing.
Questions to Ask the Response Center
You also may want to ask questions about the response center:

Is the monitoring center available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week?
What is the average response time?
What kind of training does the center staff receive?
What procedures does the center use to test systems in your home? How often are tests conducted?

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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.

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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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