Medical Alert System – 10 Things You Need To Know Before Buying
Caregivers or people caring for their aging parent or loved one can benefit a lot from a senior medical alerts. They can finally have some peace of mind, knowing that even if they’re not around, the people that they care about will get prompt assistance in the event of a medical emergency. But will they, really? Before buying a medical alarm for your own purposes, read this checklist of 10 items first that should help you assess your own requirements.
- Why do you need a medical alert?
Wearable medical alerts are not some fancy jewelry—it has a distinct purpose, and you should buy one (for you or for your senior loved one) only after you have assessed that you have an actual need. For instance, if there is a definite constant threat of accidental fall or if the medical condition is such that exposes the patient to a certain risk.
- Digital or analog?
Digital cable and telephone systems are fast encroaching into the traditional market of analog telephones. Digital phone companies aggressively market their services by offering new customers with a lot of enticing freebies. Before buying a medical alert, check first whether your phone system (landline) is analog or digital, and choose your medical alert accordingly.
- How reliable is the medical alert system in terms of reliability?
Check the medical alert system’s track record. Usually, the best place to start is online—a casual search on the search engines could turn up the rants or raves of people who have used or have been using the medical alert you are intending to buy. A medical alert is only as good as its reliability, so make sure it is actually reliable in this aspect.
- Does the medical alert system provider operate their own monitoring center?
There are medical alert system providers that outsource their monitoring center, which means there could be a gap in efficiency. The monitoring center is the one that will respond to your distress signal upon pressing the medical alert’s button, that is why we prefer those medical alert system providers that run and operate their own monitoring center.
- Are there hidden charges?
A medical alert service usually entails a monthly service charge. Request for a breakdown of such a charge (this should be simple and straightforward), and make sure you are not paying anything extra for “mysterious” unexplainable fees. But then again, reputable medical alert system providers do not usually have this issue: they charge a simple, one-figure fee for the whole month.
- Do you need manual or automatic?
Generally, there are two kinds of medical alerts: one that you have to press in order to connect to the base unit (manual) and the other can automatically detect you if you fall or your body stays inactive for a “suspicious” length of time. The automatic medical alert is best used in situations in which the wearer obviously has a difficulty with movement (such as those with Parkinson’s or dementia). The difference between manual and automatic is often reasonable.
- What is the extent of the support you get?
Medical alert system should be able to provide monitoring and quick response to any medical emergencies 24 hours a day, seven days a week, nothing less. Be clear about certain details, such as who are the persons that must be contacted in the event of an emergency and which usually is the best recourse?
- How does a medical alert save your life?
You should first understand how a medical alert system works in the real world by reading up on the experiences of other people. In that way, you may be able to visualize your own experience, when an emergency arises.
- Are you being offered the best deal possible?
Shop around. There are many medical alert system providers these days, and they are trying to outdo one another in increasing their own market share by offering the best deals. Competition is good, take advantage of it. But just make sure the services cited are what exactly you will receive.
- Finally, does the intended recipient of the medical alert willing to use it?
Sometimes, the senior citizen may resist the idea of using a medical alert, citing various alibis. This should not be so: by the time you are shopping around for a medical alert device, you should have already educated and convinced the wearer of the benefits of using the wearable alert. There’s no point in going to all these lengths only to meet a blank wall.
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