How to Use a Medical Alert System

Ryan Molloy, Managing Editor for #TheSeniorList.com shares his knowledge and insights about medical alert systems. Ryan covers the different types of medical alert systems, how they work, automatic fall detection, and how much you can expect to pay for a medical alert device.
Timestamps:
0:00 Ryan Molloy- What is a medical alert system?
0:29 A medical alert system will connect you to first responders in the event of an emergency
0:44 How do #medicalalert systems work?
1:06 Common traits of medical alert systems
1:30 What is the monitoring center?
1:48 In-home systems vs cellular (or mobile) alert systems
2:06 What should you look for in a medical alert system?
2:25 What is automatic fall detection?
2:44 The importance of waterproof help buttons
3:04 Backup batteries for in-home medical alert systems
3:23 Professional medical responders vs custom contacts
4:09 Avoid long term contracts when you sign up for a medical alert
4:42 How much do medical alert systems cost?
5:22 Does Medicare cover medical alert systems?
6:02 Medical alerts cost about $1 per day- a small price to pay for your safety!
Have you ever seen those commercials for Life Alert, you know, the ones with the people who have fallen and can’t get up? Well, Life Alert is what we’d call a medical alert system, a broad range of technology designed to keep people safe, in and outside their homes.
With the press of a button, these devices will connect you to first responders, ensuring that should you fall -- or experience another type of emergency -- help is not far behind.
As technology evolves, there are more and more different types of medical alert systems flooding the market. There are in-home units and mobile units that can be taken outside. There’s even medical alert smartwatches and voice assistants. But at their core, they all share a few things in common.
The first is a speakerphone, and the second is a help button. For in-home units, they will have a speakerphone on a base unit. This is what will allow you to communicate. The other is a help button, one on the base unit and the other on either a pendant or wristband. By pressing the button on either of these units, you’ll be connected to a company’s monitoring center. They’ll assess your situation and deliver the appropriate response.
For on-the-go units, you’ll find these parts all in one unit. This is what will allow you to take it on the go, a speakerphone and a help button all in one unit. This can be worn either around your neck or on a belt clip.
What should you look for in a medical alert system?
All medical alert systems will have some combination of a speakerphone and help buttons, but there are a few more important traits to consider when looking for a system of your own.
Fall Detection
Using a system of accelerometers, this pendant can detect when the wearer falls and automatically trigger a response call.
Waterproof Help Buttons
For people of any age, a majority of falls happen in the bathroom. This is why you should look for a system with water-resistant or waterproof buttons.
Backup Batteries
For in-home systems that work through a wall plug, a power outage could threaten to short your medical alert system.
Customized Response Plans
Not every call requires the help of emergency responders. When looking into subscribing to a medical alert system, ask the sales rep if they’ll accept a list of nearby loved ones. This way, instead of calling emergency responders, an agent can simply phone a friend or neighbor.
Flexible Contracts
Most medical alert systems work on a subscription basis. You don’t purchase the equipment; instead, you lease it as part of your monthly charge. Be sure that a company does not require you to lock into any sort of long-term contract.
How much do medical alert systems cost?
For a medical alert system, you can expect to pay anywhere from 20-$50 per month. In-home systems using a landline connection will be on the more affordable side, while GPS-enabled mobile units will likely cost a bit more.
You’ll also want to factor in the costs of any extras like additional help buttons or fall detection, which on average will cost you an extra $10 per month. This will all vary depending upon the provider.
Learn more on our website: www.theseniorlist.com
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[@HandsFreeHealth]

Ryan, Great overview! Providing comprehensive medical monitoring solutions that utilize the latest technology to keep users safe is of the utmost importance. Thanks for featuring our products in your reviews!

[@deniselittles4160]

This was helpful to me I am thinking of getting a unit

[@lilliewilliams2274]

Can you show how to get the string on the pendant