As our parents, grandparents, and other beloved elders age, we're often as resistant as they are to face the reality of their declining independence.
The vast majority of consumers, perhaps unaware of just how sobering an accident can be, only purchase medical alerts after a first fall.
Don't wait until an emergency to acknowledge the risks faced by seniors with limited mobility.
Remember, what might be a simple sprain for a younger person could be a life-threatening situation for our older loved ones.
Medical alert systems are designed to help the most vulnerable members of our population deal with medical emergencies.
They provide families with the peace of mind that comes from knowing that their elders will be able to call for help and have someone on the other end of the line to assist them in any situation.
Alert systems also allow seniors a greater degree of independence without compromising their health.
If you’re considering a medical alert system for your family member or loved one, use the following recommendations as a guide to help you choose a product that meets their needs.
These days, alarm systems can come in various guises, including smartphones and medical alert apps, which can give active and technologically savvy seniors an additional level of security.
But regardless of whether they’re mobile or home-based, good senior alerts can provide some of the same benefits: instant access to emergency services, contacts, and fall detection.
Some smartphone can go further by providing GPS monitoring, fitness and activity tracking, medication alerts, and storing medical history so it can be easily sent to responding emergency services.
Additionally, some will automatically alert a family member after notifying emergency dispatchers.
"For those of us with elderly parents, medical alerts ensure our loved
ones always have access to help should they ever need it."
- Paige Coho, Medical Guardian
The majority of consumers looking for medical alert systems are shopping for a senior in their life.
Before buying one, put yourself in the shoes of the person that will be using the system and consider their possible limitations.
IS A SMARTPHONE ENOUGH?
For many seniors, many of which are increasingly relying on their phones, smartphones have become an increasingly appealing alternative to the traditional medical alert systems.
In fact, some smartphones designed for the senior population include so-called SOS buttons that instantly call for emergency help.
Additionally, the number of advanced, easy-to-use apps offering fall detection and monitored help has been steadily increasing.
Smartphones offer other distinct advantages.
There is, of course, its mobility.
For seniors with very active lives, a cell phone or other mobile senior alert system they can carry can provide them (and their caretakers) with greater peace of mind.
Using smartphones as an alert also presents another advantage: cost-effectiveness.
If a senior already has a cell phone and is comfortable using it, there is no need to invest in additional equipment.
However, there are certain users for whom a smartphone would not be the best option.
Seniors who mostly spend their time at home or who have unreliable cell signal where they live will do best with a system that’s tied to a landline.
Traditional home-based senior alerts are also the best choice for seniors who are not as comfortable with cell phones or are not as technologically savvy.
Unlike most cellphones, senior alert devices are designed to be easy to use by most people, even those with limited mobility or sight.
There’s an additional benefit to these types of alerts, many of them are designed to be waterproof or water resistant so that they can be used around the shower.
Given that bathrooms are where a large percentage of falls take place, this feature can prove to be a lifesaver.
CAN A DIGITAL ASSISTANT SUBSTITUTE FOR A MEDICAL ALERT?
Digital assistants, like the Amazon Echo, Google Home, or the Apple HomePod, can be a life-changer for many seniors with visual impairments or limited mobility.
Voice-first technology can help older adults call relatives, search the internet, set medication alarms, and even reset the temperature at home or turn the lights on and off.
For seniors suffering from Parkinson’s, for example, having such a device can help them be independent for much longer.
Although digital assistants can do a whole lot, they cannot call emergency services, nor can they serve as a fall monitor.
This makes a senior medical alert or a medical alert phone an essential complement to any digital home assistant.
DO YOU WANT A HOME-BASED OR MOBILE SYSTEM?
Home-based systems typically consist of a base station with a pendant or wristband that seniors can wear at all times.
These pendants can serve as fall detectors or provide a highly visible button to easily call emergency help.
Mobile systems use cellular technology to connect seniors with emergency dispatchers.
They’re also enabled with GPS technology to help first responders find the user quickly.
These devices can also give family members and caretakers the ability to track their loved one, making them a great choice for very active seniors or those who are at risk of getting lost.
Mobile systems are generally costlier than home-based systems however so, if the senior is largely homebound, they might not be worth the expense.
Additionally, mobile systems require a consistent cell signal for them to work accurately, while home-based systems depend on landlines, which are less likely to fail.
Lastly, for seniors who are uncomfortable with technology, traditional devices – which are designed to be easy to use - might be the best choice.
DO FALL-DETECTION SYSTEMS REALLY WORK?
Since the classic “I’ve fallen, and I can’t get up” commercial from LifeCall, the technology behind fall-detection systems has grown increasingly sophisticated and accurate.
Fall-detection systems generally involve a pendant with motion-tracking sensors.
When these sensors detect movement that it recognizes as a fall, the system will immediately contact emergency help.
Fall-detection systems can be especially helpful for seniors with dementia and others who might have trouble operating a system that requires their input.
However, not all systems are made the same and none are 100% accurate.
Some devices’ sensors are not quite sensitive enough and fail to register some falls, and some go too far in the other direction, being overly sensitive to any change in position.
A good quality system will provide alternatives by giving one-click options to either send for help if the senior did fall or to cancel a call to emergency services if the system made a mistake.
IS THE SENIOR YOU ARE SHOPPING FOR BLIND OR VISUALLY IMPAIRED?
If the senior is blind or visually impaired, look for a base unit with easily distinguishable buttons or even a talking keypad.
That could mean making sure the base unit of the system you’re looking to purchase has different sized buttons or textures.
Additionally, a device with fall detection pendant or wristbands with an easily pressed SOS button would be a good option to consider.
DOES THE SENIOR HAVE ANY PHYSICAL LIMITATIONS?
Consider the physical limitations of the senior before opting for any alert system.
A person who only has use of one hand, for example, may find a pendant alert button easier to press than a wristband button.
Or if the user has arthritis, a device with a soft-touch help button may be the best choice.
IS KEEPING TRACK OF THE SENIOR IMPORTANT? DOES THE SENIOR TEND TO ROAM AROUND WITHOUT NOTIFYING ANYONE?
If the senior shows signs of early-onset dementia, Alzheimer's, or is just plain forgetful, a GPS unit could help you locate them if they wander off.
If he or she has trouble getting home or there is an emergency, help will be a push of a button away, no matter where they are.
DOES THE SENIOR SPEAK A LANGUAGE OTHER THAN ENGLISH?
If your senior speaks a language other than English, know there are many companies with multilingual operators or interpreters to help overcome possible language barriers.
However, to minimize linguistic or cultural obstacles and ensure assistance is prompt and efficient, the monitoring center should not be outsourced but located within the United States.
Senior falls and accidents can happen anywhere at any time.
Make sure that when you select a medical alert system, you understand the activities, routines, and home environment of the senior who will use it.
HOW BIG IS THE SENIOR’S HOME?
Consider the size of the senior’s home and make sure the system you select provides coverage for the entire property.
Just because they don’t use every room in the house doesn’t mean they won’t need coverage there, which could be especially true if the room in question is a storage space or basement.
DOES THE SENIOR LIKE TO SPEND TIME OUTSIDE OR IN THE GARDEN? HOW FAR FROM THE HOUSE IS THE MAILBOX?
For seniors who spend time outside, it’s important to ensure sure the yard and mailbox are within the range of the base unit.
Slick sidewalks or back injuries from gardening are legitimate concerns.
That could mean purchasing a mobile system or just repositioning the base unit to allow for better coverage outside.
IS THE SENIOR STILL MOBILE AND ACTIVE?
For seniors with active lifestyles, a mobile or GPS unit may be the best option.
Mobile alert systems allow more freedom and offer additional protection for those who are not yet ready to give up outdoor activities or require treatment for which they have to travel.
CAN MEDICARE PAY FOR ANY MEDICAL ALERT SYSTEMS?
Unfortunately, neither Medicare nor most private insurance companies will help pay for a medical alert.
However, in some states, Medicaid may help.
Additionally, it’s always worthwhile to check with your own private insurer to see if there are any discounts available.
DO I ABSOLUTELY NEED THE SYSTEM TO BE MONITORED?
This can largely depend on the senior’s (or their family’s) budget.
Non-monitored systems tend to be much cheaper since they do not entail a monthly fee.
Non-monitored systems typically involve a device that will contact 911 and/or emergency contacts with the press of a button.
A monitored system, on the other hand, sends an alarm to a monitoring center where a live operator answers the call.
Many of these monitored medical alert companies have professionally trained emergency dispatchers on staff at all times to field the calls and obtain help for the user.
They often store the senior’s profile, including their home address and sometimes their medical history, to make the process of responding to the call faster and more efficient.
Monitored systems provide an added level of security, but it does entail a monthly fee which could make them inaccessible to seniors or family members with limited income.
A FEW REMINDERS ABOUT MONITORING SERVICES
Monitoring Centers should operate 24/7.
Accidents don’t just happen during business hours, so picking a company that works around the clock is vital.
Also, make sure the Monitoring Call Center is certified by Underwriter’s Laboratory, has a 5-Diamond rating from the Central Station Alarm Association, or bears an ETL Listed Mark.
These accreditations are given to companies that demonstrate the highest level of service within the Medical Alert Industry.
Pick a company that employs trained professional operators or certified emergency dispatchers.
When your loved one calls for help, you want to be confident the person on the other end of the line will be able to provide the level of care they need.
Operators should go through extensive training to learn to triage calls, walk someone who is scared and alone through an emergency situation, and patiently address any other problem that is called in.
We suggest looking into companies who require their operators to undergo Medical Dispatch training just like 911 operators.
While it may be difficult to accept a family member or loved one is not as self-sufficient as they used to be, it's important to look objectively at the situation and assess their unique needs when shopping for a medical alert system.
After all, by getting a medical alarm, you are providing them an opportunity to live a safe, active, and independent lifestyle, which may not have been an option otherwise.