We have a lot to be thankful for when it comes to technology in the medical world. From intricate procedures to simple and yet life-saving systems – such as the medical alert systems this article is looking at – there is so much that has been developed in the last few decades that would not have been possible without technology.
You can read more about medical alert systems here and we are going to give you an overview of what you need to look for when choosing the best one for your needs. First, let’s look at who uses medical alert systems, how they work, and then we’ll cover the basics.
How Medical Alert Systems Work
What is a medical alert system? If you are reading this you most likely know the answer, so a brief description will suffice: a medical alert system consists of a small central hub, a pendant or bracelet with a button on it, and a telephone connection. The idea is that the pendant or bracelet is worn by someone who is perhaps elderly or infirm, injured or ill, and who is alone in the house for long periods of time.
Here’s how it works: let’s say an elderly person alone suddenly feels chest pains. They press the button. This sends a wireless signal to the hub, which calls a set number. That number goes to a computer in a call handling centre. An operator brings up the details and calls the patient. If they answer, the operator takes a view of the seriousness of the situation. If not, he or she will alert the emergency services who will attend.
Some systems also send a signal to three chosen responders. These can be a family member, friend, neighbour, or even the local police. If the operator decides the case is not serious enough for an ambulance the responders will be notified. So, it’s a safety precaution that provides peace of mind for the patient and the family who cannot be present at all times. But is the home you want a system for suitable?
What You Need in the Home
To enable a medical alarm system to be effective there must be a live telephone connection in the home to which it can connect. Some systems can also operate over a broadband connection. This is all you need at home. Once connected, the system will be tested for effectiveness, and then it is ready to go.
The pendant will need to be charged every now and then, but they do have a long lifetime. Some systems also include a feature where the call centre is called automatically if the pendant senses the patient has not moved for a long time during hours where they usually do – in other words, if they have had a fall or have become unconscious. These are useful and, in some cases, essential, so let’s have a look at what you need to look for when choosing a medical alert system.
Choose the Best Package for Your Budget
For your own peace of mind we strongly recommend that you research the different systems carefully and then buy the one that is best within your allotted budget. This is because you are buying something that could help in a genuine life or death situation. It may in fact be one of the most important items you ever purchase.
Look for one that comes with 24-hour monitoring from a reputable company. You will pay a regular fee for this service, but it is certainly worth the small outlay it will take to get you that peace of mind. Also look for a system with the fall feature we described above, and with the longest usage before recharging. This enables you to be certain that your loved one is fully connected until you have to attend to make sure the system is charged.
Medical alert systems are used by many people to simply keep an eye on parents or people living alone, whether infirm or otherwise, and can be the difference between saving someone’s life and not. Check them out carefully, look for one that has all the features, and you’ll find the investment to be worth it.
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