When You Should Consider a Medical Alert System

While many people may have joked about the familiar line “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up” – medical alert systems are no laughing matter.  Hundreds of thousands of people depend on medical alert devices every day for increased confidence and peace of mind.  It is nice to know that help is only a button push away.

A medical alert system can be an important part of any care plan, allowing the user to get assistance when in a predicament or help in the case of any emergency.  Medical alert systems are great for a variety of situations including:

UNEXPECTED SITUATION - Whether feeling dizzy, a reaction to a medication, choking on food or being locked out of the house, families find comfort knowing that with a push of a button, loved ones can get the assistance they may unexpectedly need.

RECUPERATION – When it is not possible or realistic to have someone available “just in case,” people suffering from conditions such as a back injury or broken leg, or are recovering after an operation often find comfort knowing that they can get help if they need it.

INDEPENDENCE – For someone who is visually or physically impaired, knowing that assistance is available should they find themselves needing help, a medical alert system can provide the confidence to enable a person to maintain their independence.

While many people, particularly older adults, would rather not admit they are at a point where a personal emergency response system makes sense, a personal system can often be the deciding factor that enables a person to maintain his or her independence.  In fact a medical alert system may help to minimize concerns and anxiety and increase the feeling of safety and security.  Studies indicate that anxieties about falling often lead people to become less physically active.  Having these devices can help increase the confidence of a person as he or she moves about the home and yard.

One reason why many people never seriously consider a medical alert device is that they are afraid of creating a spectacle of emergency vehicles outside their home. It is important for families to know that the use of a personal system goes well beyond emergencies.

How Medical Alert Systems Work

When a unit is activated by pushing the help button, a representative from the monitoring station will respond immediately by contacting the user through the base station. The representative will attempt to speak with the person indicating a need for assistance and, depending on the situation, will make the predetermined appropriate contact (e.g. dispatch emergency help or contact a family member or neighbor).

If you're considering a medical alert system, speak with a senior care provider to find the right device.  Typically there is no equipment to buy and no long-term commitments or obligations.