Medical Alert Systems (or personal emergency response systems) are wonderful devices that allow aging adults the opportunity to remain in their homes (more safely) and stay as independent as possible.

Keeping up with this new technology is tough, and knowing the right questions to ask is even harder!

If you haven't seen our Medical Alert System Round-Up you should check it out, and provide feedback (especially if you've had experience with any of the featured manufacturers). Today's focus on Medical Alert Systems is aptly titled The Top 10 Questions to Ask When Evaluating Medical Alert Systems. So, without further ado... Here is our Top 10 List (drum roll please):

1. will this medical alert system work with VOIP (voice over web protocol) phone services?

If you've got Comcast or Verizon cable reception, the likelihood is that that you just may additionally be mistreatment them for your (home) telephone service. If that is the case, square measure you’re} seemingly are employing a VOIP arrange (just as we have a tendency to do with Vonage, another major VOIP provider). Many of the standard medical alert system suppliers suggest checking together with your home (VOIP) phone supplier to visualize whether or not they supply native 911 (and other) services.

 2. what's the vary of my alert system?

MOST of the main medical alert system suppliers have the subsequent parts enclosed in their "systems".

A base station and a pendent of some kind (necklace - worn around the neck, belt clip, or wrist watch like device. My Halo system even has a chest strap). MOST of the pendants need to communicate (wirelessly) with a base station that is connected to your home phone line. So, you wish to grasp the variety of that pendant to the bottom station. Usually, this varies covers most traditional sized homes and is within the neighborhood of 400-600 feet. After installation take care to check out the vary within (and outside) the house.

 3. will somebody install this on behalf of me or do I roll in the hay myself?

Many makers have sales/marketing representatives which will come back to your home and install/test the system for you.

They usually charge a one-time set-up fee for this service so ask about that fee is ahead of time! If all they do is send the alert system to you, make sure there is ample literature (on and off line) for assistance with set-up AND testing. Always check your medical alert system before mistreatment it.

4. Do I want a subscriber line to use this medical alert system?

In most cases, the answer will be YES, but there are a few exceptions. For example, The Mobile Help Medical Alert System has a small hand-held device that connects to AT&T Wireless for use outside the home (anywhere covered by AT&T). To use their pendant (small necklace) device around the home, you still need a landline, however.

Also, The Well core Personal Emergency Response System boasts the flexibility to interface with some cell phones to increase the variety of their device outside the house.

5. World Health Organization staffs your center, wherever ar they settled, and what are the typical response times?

OK, this is a bit of a loaded question, because "outsourcing" call centers have been a trend that many, many companies take advantage of it. Frankly, I've found nice service from decision centers everywhere the globe, and also the sole factor you wish to be cautious of here is PERFORMANCE.

6. Does the medical alert system come with other services?

Some medical alert systems go with extra services like medication reminders, glucose monitoring reminders, and the like. It's good to know what other services can be included with the purchase of your services, so make sure you ask what's included.

7. What happens if one thing goes wrong with my equipment?

Most of us hate reading the fine print. I challenge anyone out there to browse the "terms and conditions" of the five or six Monodical alert devices you wish to judge (gives me a headache even thinking about doing that again).

Does someone come out to fix it? Will they send you another one asap? Do you need to send the dysfunctional system back? Also, one different purpose... when you have narrowed down your choice, read the fine print by looking up the terms-and-conditions of the particular provider on their websites.

8. will the medical alert system embody "automatic fall detection"?

Medical alert systems have come back in an extended manner within the last five years. Today's advanced systems will find once a user has fallen mechanically. It's all in the advanced algorithms developed by brilliant engineers and embedded into small devices that are saving lives every day. These smart-systems will distinguish (in most cases) between once somebody has truly fallen, and when someone has decided to sit down abruptly.

"The huge three" that (currently) supply automatic fall detection is Halo observance Systems, Well core Personal Emergency The response, and Philips Lifeline with auto alert.

9. Am I getting these devices, or leasing them, or neither?

Goes back to my previous suggestion concerning reading the fine print... verify (ahead of time) whether or not the instrumentation is yours or not. What happens if you no longer require the equipment? What happens if you damage the equipment?

10. What is my total yearly cost? This gets down to "brass tacks"... How much does this cost me each year (total cash outflow)? Enough said.

Also, if you have additional important questions to add to the list, please do share!!! There are a number of excellent suggestions added to this article located on The Senior List Eldercare Directory, as well as a showcase of leading Medical Alert System Providers.