Medical alert systems are medical home devices designed to alert caregivers or emergency medical personnel to offer appropriate or immediate assistance to the user. Often utilized by the elderly, disabled or isolated individuals, a wireless pendant is worn by the user who may experience trouble or medical problems, who can then simply push a button on the pendant to signal for immediate help from a live-in caregiver or pre-programmed phone numbers to family, friends or 911.
What is a Medical Alert System?
Known by a variety of names and acronyms such as medical alarm, Personal Emergency Response System (PERS), and emergency alert, a medical alert system involves a wearable or mounted device that the individual can use to signal for outside help in an urgent or emergency situation. Most systems feature a wireless transmitter that can be worn as a pendant or around the wrist with simple push-button activation to call pre-programmed numbers of family, friends and/or 9-1-1, the Universal Emergency Number. Wall-mounted transmitters can also be set up in various rooms around the house, such as the bedroom or bathroom.
While some systems require set-up through a designated alarm monitoring company, the systems offered by Rehabmart do not require a system operator. Instead of the contracts, activation costs and monthly fees required by an alarm monitoring service, these alarm systems can be pre-programmed with the phone numbers of family members, friends, neighbors or local emergency responders. In an emergency such as a fall or heart attack, the affected individual can simply press a button on the pendant to place a 9-1-1 call for immediate help.
Many medical alert systems allow for two-way communication. Instead of simply alerting emergency personnel of an urgent medical situation, these systems provide regular phone capabilities so that the user can talk directly with the 9-1-1 operator and/or other family members.
How Does a Medical Alert System Work?
Most medical alert systems consist of a waterproof wireless transmitter and a base station that connects to any regular, land-based telephone line. They are usually powered by electricity, but have rechargeable batteries to provide backup power in the event of a power outage. Working as an environmental control unit (ECU), a medical alert system allows the user to make calls through a wearable wireless transmitter, or through a wireless unit that can be mounted on a wall or attached to a bed frame or wheelchair.
Wearable transmitters are usually waterproof and can include pendants, wrist devices, belt clips and pocket clips to ensure 24/7 transmission abilities in the event of an emergency. These transmitters offer direct contact both inside and around the outside of the home, with some models providing communication capabilities while traveling as well.
Medical alert systems provide 2-way speakerphone communication, with several models featuring audio prompts for easier operation. Users can answer incoming calls, and only need to press a single button in an emergency to connect with 9-1-1; even if the user cannot speak, 9-1-1 operators will be able to immediately determine the location of the individual and send emergency help. Any calls in progress are automatically terminated when the user presses the button for emergency help.
Rehabmart offers medical alert systems that are VoIP compatible and NENA compliant. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) describes technology that delivers voice communications and other multimedia over internet protocol (IP) networks. The National Emergency Number Association (NENA) is responsible for monitoring the quality of the 9-1-1 emergency services by fostering technological advancement, implementation and availability of this service.
Who Can Benefit from Medical Alert Systems?
Anyone who lives alone could benefit from having a medical alert system in the home, but it is especially relevant for the elderly and disabled. Because of their increased risk for falls and other medical events, it is important to install emergency communication that is readily accessible in the event that they cannot reach the phone to call for help.
And this type of medical alert system can additionally be used for non-emergency situations as well. It can bring wonderful peace of mind to an aging parent or disabled friend to know that they have the means to contact someone for help, even if the need is not urgent or critical.
Most alert devices allow for programming several phone numbers as contacts, along with an automatic 9-1-1 call. Because the user can converse directly with the contact, emergency personnel can ask further questions to determine the nature and severity of the emergency to determine the appropriate measures to take.
Rehabmart is proud to offer exceptional medical alert systems from respected vendors that include Harris Communications and Ablenet.
Hulet Smith, OT
Rehabmart Co-Founder & CEO
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