There are many different types of medical alert systems that will help protect the health and well-being of a person who may not know what to do in an emergency or be able to reach a phone. They are helpful for seniors and people with serious medical conditions who have limited mobility. The device allows people to maintain some independence and still ensure that medical help can be quickly reached.
Home Alarm Systems
Alarm systems in the home have two parts. There is a base unit and a personal help button that is worn on the person. It is usually in the form or a bracelet, anklet or pendant, and is waterproof so it can be worn in the shower. Which type is selected will depend on the reason the person needs the device. Pendants are considered the best because they can be reached by both hands. However, they are easy to take off and can become lost. The base unit is hooked to a telephone or pager and the help button will only work within a certain range of the base unit. This is usually a few hundred feet.
When the wearer presses the help button a signal is sent to the base unit. At this point, there are several possible things that can happen according to the type of system. Some systems send out a loud signal for less than a minute. This signal can be canceled by the person if the button was pressed accidentally. If the signal is not canceled, the monitoring service will be called and a live dispatch agent will try to talk to the subscriber to find out what kind of help is needed. They will then call paramedics, family or whoever was listed as a contact.
These systems can also respond to fire, carbon monoxide leaks, smoke and other emergency issues.
Alzheimer’s Bracelet
There are also electronic monitoring devices that will help identify a person who wanders from home or becomes lost. These are mainly used for Alzheimer’s patients and contain a global positioning and alert system. If an Alzheimer’s patient wanders into the city or countryside and cannot remember their name or address, anyone who finds them can help with the information on the bracelet. The patient can be returned home or medical help can be called.
Some bracelets have a small radio frequency transmitter. It can be worn on the wrist or ankle. When the patient is gone missing, the caregiver or family member can call the agents at the monitoring station who will quickly find the patient’s location.
Another type is the wander alert. This system is usually worn on the ankle and regularly emits a frequency to a monitoring device. A specified distance is selected, and if the patient moves farther than that distance, an alarm will sound, and the system automatically dials the caregiver’s phone. These units often have global positioning systems to make it easy to find the patient.
Before selecting a monitoring company, it is recommended to see all the options they offer. There is no point in paying for options that you or your loved one don’t need. Customer support is also extremely important. Along with 24 hour monitoring, there should be 24 hour technical support.
