Personal Emergency Alarm Systems
Personal emergency alarms (also known as medical alarms or life or safety alarms) provide peace of mind for the elderly, children, solo workers and those recuperating from injury or illness. They can also offer protection to victims of domestic violence and stalkers.
Look for models with a large SOS button. Choose those with fall detection that can activate an alarm automatically if you have a fall.
Unmonitored Medical Alarms
If you don’t want to pay a monthly monitoring fee, or you simply prefer to connect with family members in an emergency, a non-monitored medical alert device is an option. When the button on a wearable pendant or wristband is pushed, an alert goes out to a list of contacts programmed into the device. This may include friends, family members and even neighbors. It’s important to note that the time it takes for those on your contact list to respond can be a factor in how quickly you receive assistance.
Many systems work with cellular networks so that you can summon help from anywhere, and most have GPS tracking. You can also find mobile devices that pair with a pocket base station and run off battery power. They can go with you wherever you go and are ideal for frequent travelers, people who live alone or with a caretaker, or those with limited mobility.
When you’re shopping for a non-monitored medical alert system, it’s essential to assess the level of activity for whom you’re buying. Do they spend most of their time at home or do they frequently leave the house? This will determine whether an in-home or mobile solution is best. In addition, consider the sturdiness of the devices. If they’re worn as a pendant or on a wristband, make sure they’re waterproof and easy to use.
Unmonitored Personal Alarms
A personal alarm is a device that allows a person to call for help when they’re at risk. These devices are often triggered by pulling a cord or pressing a button. The alarm may then call a list of emergency contacts or alert a monitoring centre for assistance. The monitors will assess the situation and dispatch local emergency services or a caregiver.
Unmonitored personal alarms work in a similar way to monitored systems but are cheaper as they don’t require an ongoing subscription. They typically have a base unit that plugs into a power outlet and a pendant or watch that is worn around the neck. They also usually feature two-way communication and GPS tracking. Some offer fall detection technology or a panic button.
There are many different models available, ranging from simple shriek devices that are designed to scare or distract an assailant and give staff time to get away (NHS Protect 2017a), to more complex, interactive alarms that allow users to contact their loved ones through their phone. Often, these alarms are used by healthcare workers in high-risk settings, such as emergency departments and psychiatric units.
This smart alarm system works anywhere there’s a mobile network signal. The wearer can press the SOS button or the alarm will detect motion and vibration and automatically call a list of pre-programmed emergency contacts. It can even send live video to their GP, healthcare provider or family and friends.
Mobile Medical Alerts
A medical alarm system can connect you to emergency responders in an instant. The user presses the emergency button on a pendant, base unit or wall-mounted buttons and the device calls a monitoring center professional to evaluate the situation. If the user is incapacitated, the call center will contact their loved ones or EMS, as appropriate.
Many medical alert devices are now able to connect over cell networks, so that users can summon help while on the go. This on-the-go capability can make these systems ideal for people who enjoy frequent trips outside the home or who do not have caregiver accompaniment when they leave their homes.
Some on-the-go systems are bundled with GPS technology, so that the user can be located immediately. In our survey, 69% of respondents reported that a fast response time is the most important feature they look for in a personal alarm system. You can find out the average response time for a given provider by looking at the company website or calling customer service.
Most at-home and on-the-go medical alert devices can be set up easily in most homes by plugging the base station into an electrical outlet and then connecting it to a phone line or cellular network. Most providers offer online guides to help with this process and customer support to answer questions.
Remote Medical Alerts
Medical alert systems with GPS and cellular technology offer protection outside the home as well as in. Most of these systems include a base unit that plugs into the wall and connects wirelessly to wearable help buttons (or to the mobile devices you can carry with you), as well as to in-home sensors like motion detectors and home air and temperature monitoring.
In an emergency, pressing and holding the help button on these systems will call a pre-programmed contact or 911. Our Reviews Team’s tests show that it typically takes only 30 seconds for the device to connect with a 24/7 call center. The operator will evaluate the situation and if necessary will dispatch EMS or notify your caregivers.
personal alarms for seniors Most at-home medical alarm systems have a landline connection, while mobile systems use the cellular network to communicate with the call center (the same one your smartphone uses). Check out the cellular providers each company partners with and make sure you’ll be able to get strong signals in your area. Setup is intended to be easy, and most companies offer instructions and customer support for any problems. In addition, some systems offer accessories and add-on features, such as location tracking and medication reminders, for a one-time or monthly fee. Many of these extra features can also be bundled into a basic subscription package.
