Medical Alert Response System

Medical Alert Response System Reviews

To help you choose a medical alert response system, I decided to write about my own family's experiences with one company, and my impressions of others. I don't get any compensation for this. If I could get a commission, I would, but they don't seem to have affiliate programs, unfortunately.

Around April 2010 my sister did what one of us should have done a long time ago -- don't you make the same mistake -- and signed our elderly up for a medical alert system with the Philips Lifeline company. I don't know how she decided which one to choose from.

My excuse is that although I was vaguely aware of the existence of such products, my knowledge was very slim. I had no idea how simple, easy and sophisticated they were now.

Anyway, they mailed her the equipment: a  medical alert button set in a medical alert pendant and a base unit called a CarePartner Communicator.

The Medical Alert Response System is a Dedicated Speakerphone

We set the base unit on a shelf right below the telephone in the kitchen and hooked it up to the phone so that when necessary it could call the Philips Lifeline monitoring call center, where there are operators on duty around the clock.

The pendant was lightweight and attached to a strap that Mom could wear around her neck.

That did prove to be a weakness. Although supposedly to wear it at home all the time, even while taking a shower or when in bed at night, sometimes she got irritated and left it lying around. That could have been a problem.

Later, we told Philips about this and so they sent us a Medical alert button attached to a wristband. Unfortunately, by that time it was no longer needed.

The set up was not difficult. To me it was easier than the average cell phone or answering machine. And we tested the range of the button. I took the medical alert necklace around to the farthest points of the house and yard and tested it. The base unit picked it up every time.

And we ran a test to make sure it was operating, and it called the center. Every so often, Philips tested the device on its own.

The base unit is a loud speakerphone. When the operator answers, their voice is loud and clear and able to be heard through most of the house. My mother had some mild hearing loss (but didn't like to wear her hearing aids either), but she heard the Lifeline operators fine.

And there's a built-in microphone, and they seemed to hear her as well, although her voice was not always strong.

The Only Medical Alert Response System With Automatic Fall Detection

They now have an autoalert medical alert necklace that is far more sophisticated. While it's worn, it constantly monitors the elderly or disabled person, their movements and speed of movements.

If the person were to go down fast, and does not push the button within thirty seconds, the autoalert device signals the base unit anyway.

This obviously can help people who fall and are knocked unconscious or who have a stroke or injury that prevents them from pushing the button.

That is new. It was not available for my mother, but I'm glad that it is now. Because I'm sure that some elderly people are not able to push the medical alert button when they really need it. And they're the ones who need it most.

They also have a service for reminding people when to take their medication.

I liked the Chaperone Medical Alert Systems because they encourage the elderly to call them at any sign of a potential problem, such as a stranger at their front door, so they can help out even if the problem is not medical. And they too have a medication reminder service.

Alert 1's call center is certified by the Central Station Alarm Association (CSAA) as Five Diamond.

Some medical alert providers have call centers, but outsource them.

One Medical Alert Company Doesn't Even Have a Call Monitoring Center

One system has a base unit that calls a family member, neighbor or 911 when activated, instead of a call center. I guess that keeps their costs down, because they don't have to pay any operators, but how many of your family, friends and neighbors are standing by, answering their telephone and available every single minute of every single day?

And even if you have it call 911, what if you pushed the button by accident (it happens). And how will they get in? Philips Lifeline knew the combination to the keybox outside my mother's front door. If necessary, they would have given that to the responding EMTs.

If the EMTs come to your door and it's locked, they'll break it down. That's an expensive way to save a few dollars.

Besides of the cost, some smaller municipalities will not let their 911 operators take automated phone calls from base units.

And when you use a company with a call center, one of their operators can call 911 and a family member while another one stays on the line with the person who needs help.

I'm sure there are other good ones. But make sure you get all the facts and think about what your loved one needs the most, when you choose the medical alert response system to protect them.

Next: Senior Medical Alert Systems -- medical alarm systems for the elderly.