Since the 1950s, medical bracelets and home emergency response systems have grown in popularity. As the baby boomer population ages, medical alert systems help seniors maintain a sense of independence while knowing help is just a call away. Whether it is a need for medical attention for a heart attack or just a reminder call, medical response systems can help.
History
In the small town of Turlock, California, in 1953, the Collins family discovered their daughter was severely allergic to the tetanus vaccination. This experience led to the creation of medical alert jewelry and further lead Dr. Collins to develop a medical alert system. It was not until the 1960s that medical alert services emerged as a national presence, according to Medical Alert Foundation. Since this time, the company as well as the concept has continued to grow. Many companies and hospitals provide personal medical response systems, or PERS. The Medical Alert Foundation continues to be the only nonprofit medical response system in the marketplace.
Parts of the System
Emergency Medical Alert states there are only three pieces of the system. The first piece of the system is a radio transmitter, or the call button. A phone line is needed for the console, which connects to the phone. The last part of the system is the response center. Larger companies tend to have several call centers nationally, whereas a hospital will have a local response center.
How It Works
Once the call button is pushed, the console attached to the phone will automatically dial a preset number. The console will interrupt any current phone calls as well as act as a speaker phone, according to Care Giver Magazine. The console is sensitive and will pick up a voice or sounds from most any room in the house. If there is no response, the call center will dial 911 and send out a team immediately. The range of the call button is approximately 200 to 400 feet outside of the house, according to Care Giver Magazine, so if anything happens outside, help is still available. Based on the nature of the situation, the response center will send an emergency crew or call family members.
Additional Services
In addition to providing emergency responding services, the alert centers can call the customer to remind them of taking medications and appointments and provide general check-in and wake-up calls. These services are usually available for an extra cost, according to Caring.
Pricing
There are two pricing points to consider: the cost of the console and transmitter and the cost of the monthly response team. Some companies will allow the hardware to be bought and then pay a monthly service fee, while other companies want the hardware to be leased as well as a monthly service fee. Prices range from $200 to $1,500 for equipment and a monthly service fee of $15 to $60, according to Emergency Medical Alert. Caring recommends asking around locally for companies first as well as reading all the fine print in the contracts before signing anything.
