MedScope: Medical Alert Systems

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 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 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.

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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.

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Part 2 of 2 - Can a Medical Alarm System Help? 
Peter Bell, president of National Aging in Place Council, says “These findings tell us that, above all else, older Americans value their ability to live independently…” And Clarity president, Carsten Trads, agrees saying “…. Independent living is a key determinant of quality of life for seniors… “Seniors cited three primary concerns that could jeopardize their ability to live independently:

• 49% of Baby Boomers are interested in new technologies that would help them monitor their parents’ safety and wellbeing
• 51% of the Baby Boomers also think there are technology products available aimed at meeting the needs of Seniors
• 50% would be open to the use of ambient technology to monitor the health and safety of their aging parents
• But, only 14% of Baby Boomers have actually looked for any technology solutions that would help them ensure the health and safety of their parents

Trads concludes “From the iPod to the Blackberry, technology is such an everyday part of Baby Boomers’ lives; however they have not yet realized the potential benefit of technology to help care for their parents. More technology solutions need to be developed to allow aging in place, so that Boomers and other caregivers have more options when trying to help our aging Americans.”

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Part 1 of 2 - Can a Medical Alarm System Help?:
According to a new research study by Clarity and The EAR Foundation, 26% of senior citizens rated loss of independence and 13% rated moving out of home into a nursing home as their greatest fears. These two possibilities are a much higher concern than death, which was the greatest fear for only three percent of Seniors. And, the children of Seniors also fear for their parents, with particular concern about their emotional and physical well-being should they have to enter a nursing home.For the “Aging in Place in

• The vast majority of Seniors (89%) want to age in place - or grow older without having to move from their homes - and more than half (53%) are concerned about their ability to do so
• A large majority (82%) of Baby Boomers fear their parents will be mistreated in a nursing home and 89% fear they will be sad
• Seniors living at home are determined to maintain their independence, but they report that they require (and receive) limited support from their children or other caregivers
• Not only are Boomers concerned about their aging parents, almost two-thirds (63%) are providing some kind of help or support to them.
• Half of Seniors are open to using new technologies to enable independence, including having a Medical Alert System or Personal Emergency Response System installed in their homes to monitor their health
• Baby Boomers have not turned to technology to assist their aging parents. Only 14% have actually looked for solutions that would help them ensure the health and safety of their parents

Part 2 coming soon…

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