Emergency Medical Alert
Home Alert System, Bracelets, ID Card, Necklaces And Charms

Emergency Medical Alert devices can be a home alert system, or a type of jewelry that has important medical information about you that can be use in case of emergency. If you or someone you know is a senior citizen and lives alone, you should seriously consider purchasing a Home Alert Monitoring System or some form of medical jewelry. There are many types of medical alert jewelry available today. Most of them you can purchase online at a reasonable cost.

There Are Different Types Of Medical Alert Jewelry To Choose From:

 

Medical Alert Charms - Which alerts medical personnel to your heath problems when you are unable to speak for yourself.

Medical Alert Necklaces - Provide users with an easy access to emergency medical help and primary medical information of a patient, to the paramedics.

Medical ID Bracelets - Having your medical condition (diagnosis) and food or drug allergies listed on your bracelet ID can actually save your life!

Typical Home Emergency Medical Alert Systems has three main components:

A small radio transmitter - With a "help button" that is worn by the user. When activated, this device sends the signal to the console.

A console - Connected to the user's telephone and dials pre-selected emergency numbers or emergency response center.

Emergency response center - Monitors user's calls. Identify the nature of the call.

If for some unforeseen reason the user cannot be contacted after the help button is pressed, the response center will determine the emergency and will take appropriate action to alert emergency service providers to visit user's home. The center will check medical history of user and will notify the person on their list to be notified.

Transmitters - Light-weight, battery-powered devices. They are easy to use by pressing one or two buttons. They come on necklace format or a wrist band. Some can be carried on a belt or in a pocket. The transmitters are battery-powered, so they must be checked periodically to ensure they work. Some units come with an indicator to let you know battery power is low.

Console - It works as an automatic dialing machine when activated. It sends the emergency alert through the users phone lines. A special jack or wiring maybe required to enable the console to seize the line.

Types of emergency medical alert response centers - Provider-based and manufacturer-based.

Provider-based centers - Usually are located in the user's local area and are operated by hospitals or social service agencies.

Manufacturer-based operations - Usually have one national center. Sometimes, consumers who purchase systems can choose between provider-based and manufacturer-based centers, but consumers who rent systems from a PERS (Personal Emergency Response System) manufacturer usually must use its national center.

Do you buy, rent or lease?

Purchasing home emergency medical alert - Ranges from $200 to $1,500 on up. Some consumers reported paying around $4000 to $5000 range. There is a charge of $10 to $30 for installation fee as well as monthly monitoring charges.

Rental Plan - Through Manufacturers, local distributors, hospitals as well as social service agencies. These plan are reasonable with an average monthly fees of $15 to $60 and include monitoring services.

Leasing agreement - It can be long term or lease to purchase. Make sure YOU review the plan contract before signing. Pay strict attention to cancellation clauses. Some may even require you to pay cancellation fees or other charges. So know in advance.

Questions to ask prior to buying, renting or leasing:

Ask about warranty and service contract. Find out about the repair policy. Now is the time to know how to process replacement repair if the product is defective.

Ask about the cost, system features, and other services they provide. You can use the information to compare prices among home emergency medical alert provider. If a salesperson is reluctant to give you the information you need, it's time to do business with another company. Let me warn you that in-home sales visit can be high pressure. The salesperson may urge you to buy before you are ready to make a decision.

You should contact your local consumer protection agency or Better Business Bureau before doing business with companies selling emergency medical alert systems. Ask for recommendation from friends, relatives or neighbors who uses emergency response systems.

Checklist:

To help you shop for emergency medical alert system that meets your needs, read the following suggestions:

look into several systems before making a decision.

Ask if you can use the system with other response centers. For example, can you use the same system if you move?

Ask about the pricing, features, and servicing of each system and make sure you compare costs.

Make sure the system is easy to use.

Test the system to make sure it works from every point in and around your home. Make sure nothing interferes with transmissions.

Read your purchase, rental, or lease agreement carefully before signing.

Questions to Ask the Response Center:

Is the monitoring center available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week?

What is the average response time?

What kind of training does the center staff receive?

What procedures does the center use to test systems in your home? How often are tests conducted?

You're not alone and the more you arm yourself with good information, the more you can combat this tough issue for you or your love one.