Medical Alert Systems - Where to Start Your Search?
Emergencies can’t be avoided, but their repercussions can be prevented. Medical alert systems, also known as emergency alert systems, are modern devices that notify first responders whenever a user needs immediate attention. These devices include fall detectors with medical alert buttons connected to an emergency response system, serving as lifesavers for at-risk elderly and disabled. When looking for the best medical alert systems, it’s important to compare systems to ensure you choose the one that best serves your needs.
Recommended Medical Alert Systems
These are some of the most recommended medical alert systems:
How it works
Almost all medical alert systems for seniors come with a button that can be pushed by the user if there are experiencing a medical emergency, such as a fall or chest pain. The emergency button can be in the form of a medical alert bracelet, medical necklace, or even fall detection watch. A base station normally accompanies the help button and acts as the central hub for all distress calls. It’s all connected to an off-site emergency response system.
The operators staffing this system can communicate via the 2-way-communication feature of the hub to assess the situation and dispatch help. Some modern medical alert systems also use cellular services to offer landline-free protection. Some also integrate with your mobile device’s GPS to offer on-the-go protection, such as for those wearing a medical necklace or fall detection watch. Modern senior alert systems are priceless insurance policies for anyone with a fragile health condition.
Around 20,000 people die from unintentional falls every year. In order to prevent fatalities, many of the top medical alert solutions come with automated fall detection features. These medical bracelets and pendants are able to detect when a person has fallen and automatically notifies the emergency responder that a fall has occurred. Without even pressing the medical alert button on their emergency bracelet or medical necklace, the user will be connected immediately to an emergency response center.
The benefits of using medical alert systems
An elderly alert system such as MobileHelp gives the elderly or disabled more independence and the opportunity to live a more carefree life. It can also give you or your loved ones the peace of mind that there’s always help available on the other side of these emergency alert systems. Here are some other advantages that the best medical alert systems offer:
Get instant attention
When it comes to medical emergencies, sometimes without immediate attention, the consequences can be fatal. By wearing a medical alert bracelet at all times, you can ensure that you or your loved one is able to connect to an emergency responder before its too late.
Notify close relatives
Most medical alert systems for seniors come equipped with a feature that notifies your loved ones as soon as an emergency occurs. Some senior alert systems can even detect abnormal patterns external to your health or activity levels. These can include floods, smoke or fire, carbon monoxide or natural gas leaks, and temperature changes. Systems can then send alerts your emergency contacts to advise them that there is an emergency.
Caregiver tracking
The most sophisticated medical alert solutions give your caregivers, friends, and family the ability to track your location. This is done via easy-to-use online portals and mobile applications connected to your loved one’s medical alert bracelet. This ensures that even if a user leaves the house without notifying anyone, their loved ones can know exactly where they are. This alleviates worry for everyone involved.
Travel safe
In the past, leaving home without an emergency bracelet would have meant taking a big risk. Now, with the advent of modern emergency systems providing on-the-go medical protection via medical bracelets and pendants, you can go to the store, visit friends, and in some cases, even leave town. Being able to stay mobile while also having protection from a reliable medical alert company provides a great sense of freedom.
How to choose the best medical alert system
The importance of elderly alert systems can’t be underestimated for those with minor and major health problems. But how should you go about choosing one? Here are a few things that you should consider when you compare the best medical alert systems. To find the best medical alert system for you, considering the following features:
Two-way voice
One of the most basic features that should be present in the medical alert system you choose is high quality, two-way voice communication. This allows a medical alert device user to get immediate help. This feature is crucial in ensuring the user can connect with the emergency responder without having to use their hands.
Call button within the console
The main console of senior alert systems should also have a call button. This comes in handy in case a user has misplaced their medical alert bracelet or pendant or is unable to access it for whatever reason.
Waterproof help buttons
A desirable feature of any senior alert system is a waterproof and durable life alert bracelet or pendant. This allows the user to wear them while showering and while using the bathtub, two common places where elderly people tend to fall. If the system is mobile-based, then waterproof medical alert buttons let more active seniors continue their extracurricular activities. So they can feel free to swim, exercise and sweat, and go out in the rain while still being protected.
24/7 monitoring
All of the leading elderly alert systems come with 24/7 monitoring. This ensures that a user stays protected throughout the day and the night. An emergency can happen at any time, and the point of a medical alert system for seniors is to have peace of mind. So make sure that you double check this feature with the company prior to purchasing.
Medication reminders
Some state-of-the-art life alert solutions give you the ability to add medication reminders to your consoles. These reminders ensure that a user takes all their medicine at the prescribed times. This feature is extremely helpful for those who have a lot of different pills to take or have some minor memory issues.
Battery life
In case of a power outage, the medical alert system you buy should be able to hold a charge for a substantial amount of time. A good benchmark for battery life would be between 30-35 hours.
Fall detection
Many people develop serious injuries from unintentional falls every year. That’s why it’s important that you choose a medical alert company that offers fall detection features. For most solutions, you may have to pay extra for this an add-on. But for fall-prone individuals, it’s definitely worth the investment.
Conclusion
Free yourself from worries about being alone and vulnerable during a medical emergency. A top medical alert system can help us do just that. With features like caregiver tracking and automated fall detection, modern life alert systems are capable of giving independence to the elderly and disabled. Compare medical alert systems and find the best medical alert system for you.