Medical Alert Systems: What Are They and Who Benefits From Them?
Medical Alert Systems enable emergency alert support to help the disabled or elderly get the medical attention they need. When an emergency occurs, the user presses a button and sends a signal to a monitoring center. Depending on the circumstances, an operator can either get in touch with the user’s emergency contacts or dispatch emergency personnel to their location. Medical alert systems can also send medication reminders to caregivers and family members. Such devices are lifelines for individuals requiring prompt medical assistance during a crisis.
How Do Medical Alert Systems Work?
A medical alert system can be a wearable or mobile device that sends vital information and location to a monitoring call center. Some systems support two-way communication that lets a monitoring center professional speak directly to the individual, assess the situation, and provide the required assistance. Other devices have automatic fall detection technology built into a medical alert system device.
They use specific motion detectors to sense when someone has fallen and send an alert to the medical monitoring center. Although false alarms can occur with fall detection technology, algorithms have improved over the years. Today, fall detection devices have an average accuracy rate of 93%. Even with a false alarm, the medical alert system company will still reach out to verify whether you need assistance.
Who Might Need a Medical Alert System?
Medical alert systems allow the elderly and people with mobility issues to alert family members or professional emergency response teams and get help in the event of an emergency. Such systems provide peace of mind to the users and their families, as they know help is just a push of a button away.
Other people who may benefit from a medical alert system include patients who’ve recently been discharged from the hospital and are at risk of falling. Individuals with neurological conditions like Alzheimer’s disease and who have trouble communicating in an emergency need a medical alert device.
Types of Medical Alert Devices
Medical alert systems are categorized into monitored and unmonitored systems. Unmonitored systems like the Apple Watch can only call 911 or alert people on a contacts list. Monitored systems include at-home and mobile (on-the-go) devices. They come in mobile, in-home, and wearable options. Bracelets, pendants, and watches with call buttons are good examples of wearable medical alert devices.
Because mobile devices are small and lightweight, they are frequently worn around the neck, enabling users to summon assistance even when they are away from home. At-home systems are intended for use in a single room, such as the living room or bedroom. They have a base station linked to a phone line and a wearable button used to muster assistance.
Some at-home systems provide special features such as medication reminders and fall detection sensors. Caregivers can also monitor a user’s home air and temperature sensors to guard against carbon monoxide poisoning or dangerously extreme temperatures.
Choosing the Right Medical Alert System
When buying a medical alert system, whether in-home or mobile, consider which features you need, how much each costs, and if your insurance plan covers the device. Monitored medical alert systems provide fall detection at the push of a button. The system connects you to a 24-hour call center that’s adequately staffed with medical emergency services personnel. Conversely, unmonitored medical alert systems have limited capabilities.
They neither answer and monitor calls through an allied emergency call center nor provide additional tracking services. Though these systems cannot replace the role of a caregiver, they offer their users an added layer of protection and peace of mind. Healthcare Solutions is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the National General Insurance Group, so rest assured you’re getting quality service. For more information, contact us today, and our teams will be more than willing to help.