Medical Alert Systems News & Reviews - Top Rated Providers

If you’re ready to purchase a medical alert systems device, then you may be wondering which alert systems company to work with. To help you make your decision, we’re going to outline a few of the most important qualities that every good medical alarm systems company should have.

By paying attention to all of the following indicators of quality, choosing the best medical alert systems provider will be easy.

Call center location

The most important part of any medical alarm systems company is the call center. This will be the first place you contact if you ever experience an emergency. After activating your emergency call-button, you will be immediately connected to a call center dispatcher.

While all medical alarm systems companies have call centers, the quality of these call centers can vary widely. Avoid companies that ‘offshore’ their call centers to places like India or the Philippines. Companies like this are trying to cut costs and, in doing so, are placing their customers’ lives at risk. After all, in your time of greatest need, you can’t afford to have a communication breakdown with somebody from a foreign country. Whether you have trouble understanding accents or not, make sure the medical alarm system company you’re working with is based in an English-speaking country. It shows they are committed to your health as opposed to just generating profit for themselves.

Medical alarm system certification

Just like any industry, the field of medical alarm systems is regulated by a set of standards. By having a basic knowledge of these standards – as well as which companies adhere to them – you can narrow down your search for a good medical alarm system company.

The first and most important certification to look for is a listing by Underwriters Laboratories. Commonly called UL Certification, Underwriters Laboratories upholds a rigorous set of standards in the medical alert systems industry. When a company advertises their call center and its employees as being UL Certified, it means they have passed intense medical dispatcher training. They know exactly how to deal with any medical emergency and can make you feel as comfortable as possible. Put simply, you should always make sure the company you’re working with operates a UL Listed monitoring center.

Pricing

Many people see price as the ultimate indicator of quality. This adage rings true in the medical alarm systems community. Most medical alert services cost between $25 and $35 per month for one alarm system device. Any service outside of that range is either so cheap that it cuts costs, or overly expensive.

Keep in mind that most medical alert system companies have special deals for households that need more than one medical alert system. Instead of simply paying two subscription plans, you can pay a few dollars more for the extra device and connect each of them to the same communications hub. This is a simple solution, but some medical alert system companies charge a ludicrous amount of money for a second subscription plan. If you and your spouse want to feel secure in your home at all times, then it’s important to choose a company that offers package deals on multiple devices in a single household.

Quality of transponder device

While the call center, quality, and pricing are all very important, you need to consider the quality of the transponder device itself. This is the device you wear on your body at all times. It can come in the form of a necklace, bracelet, or even a belt clip. Some medical alarm system companies offer waterproof transponders, while others use cheap plastic casing in order to cut costs.

Another important thing to consider is the range of the transponder. Think of how large your house is. Do you spend a lot of time walking around the backyard? Do you live on an acreage with lots of free space? By choosing a medical alarm system device that maximizes your range, you can protect yourself no matter where you are in your home. Try to find an alarm system device with at least 300 to 400 feet of range.

Some transponders have extra features as well. For example, they may come with GPS technology that allows loved ones to locate you if you wander away from your home. This is useful because most medical alarm system devices have a range of about 400 to 800 feet. If you’re outside of that range when an emergency occurs, then it may be difficult for loved ones to contact you. They may not even realize that something is amiss.

When it comes to your life or the life of a loved one, you can’t afford to take risks. Choose a medical alarm system device that is durable, waterproof, and reliable. That way, you never have to worry about your device breaking down when you need it most.

Reliability and testing

Since medical alarm systems are only used during emergencies, you may not realize that your batteries have run out – or that the connection isn’t secure – until it’s too late. For that reason, good medical alert system companies offer regular testing of their devices free of charge. On a weekly or monthly basis, the alarm company might perform a remote test on your device to ensure that it’s still working.

If a company doesn’t perform regular testing, then you’re exposing yourself to a large degree of risk. How can you be sure that your device is working properly if you haven’t actually seen it work for several months? Regular testing gives you the peace of mind that you deserve.

Conclusion

By paying attention to all of the factors we’ve listed above, you can narrow down your choice of medical alarm system provider to just a few select companies. If you can find an alarm systems provider with the right mixture of affordability, customer service, and commitment to quality, you give yourself the best possible chance of staying safe and secure in your own home.

Thank you for taking the time to read our post,

- Dan and Beverly

Medical alert systems help you avoid injury in your own home. It’s as simple as that. However, is senior injury actually as common as people think? Or are these numbers just inflated in order to drive medical alert system sales? Let’s find out.

Falls among the elderly: a study by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention

The CDC, an American government organization, recently conducted a study on falls among the elderly. That study can be found here.

Some of the information the CDC revealed in this study was surprising. Here are a few of the things that we learned:

-One in three seniors (adults aged years 65 and older) will experience at least one fall this year.

-Of those seniors who have experienced a fall within the last year, only half talked to their doctor about their injury.

-As our bodies age, falls become more and more dangerous. The CDC reports that falls are the leading cause of injury death among seniors. And, in cases where a fall does not lead to death, falls are the number one cause of nonfatal injuries and hospital visits. In fact, in 2009, there were approximately 2.2 million nonfatal fall injuries in the United States. Of those 2.2 million injuries, approximately 600,000 required hospital treatment.

-In 2008, nearly 20,000 American seniors died from injuries related to accidental falls

-Contrary to what you might expect, death by falling rates have increased over the last decade. Among both male and female seniors, death rates from falls have risen at an alarming rate.

-Falling causes immediate injuries like lacerations and bruising, but it can also lead to long-term injuries like hip fractures, head trauma, concussions, and other problems. Injuries like this often prevent somebody from living independently, and can contribute to an early death.

-Most fractures are caused by falling in or around the home. Seniors who fall can fracture their spine, ankle, pelvis, forearm, leg, arms, and hands.

-Seniors who have fallen in the past tend to be scared of falling again. This limits their mobility and can lead to increased social anxiety and loss of physical health.

Who are being hurt from falls?

-The CDC noticed the likelihood of a fall injury increased with age. Seniors age 75 and older are 5 times more likely to experience a significant injury from falling than those between the ages of 65 and 75. This rate increases for seniors over the age of 85.

-In 2008, approximately 82% of all falling deaths were experienced by people 65 years of age or older

-Senior women are 46% more likely to experience serious physical injury from a fall than senior men

-Approximately 90% of all hip injuries in the United States are the result of falls. Women are also three times as likely as men to experience a hip injury from falling.

-While approximately 1 in 3 seniors age 65 or older fall per year, that rate increases to 1 in 2 for those over age 80.

-People who have fallen in the past are three times more likely to fall again in the future

-Approximately 47% of seniors who have been injured in a fall are unable to get up without help. Once a senior is unable to get up, they run the risk of experiencing muscle cell breakdown, dehydration, pressure sores, pneumonia, and hypothermia, among other things. These conditions can be prevented by using a good medical alert system device.

-Strokes increase the risk of falling. Among seniors who have suffered strokes, nearly 40% will experience a serious fall within the next year.

Can medical alert devices save your life?

The most dangerous type of fall is an immobilizing fall. This occurs when you fall on the ground and cannot move or get up. You may not be able to reach a telephone, and if you don’t have a medical alert device, you may be on the floor for days before somebody notices what is wrong.

The more time you spend lying immobilized on the ground, the higher chance you have of developing a serious injury. Within 30 to 60 minutes of lying on the ground, the cells in your muscles will start to break down due to compression. Once this occurs, you are at a significantly higher risk of developing conditions like dehydration and hypothermia. This can lead to permanent damage to your health.

Fortunately, medical studies have shown that getting help after an immobilizing fall will increase your likelihood of survival by a whopping 80%. This reinforces the importance of medical alert system devices. Since you can activate the transponder immediately after a fall, it takes only minutes for emergency crews to arrive at your home. This significantly reduces your chances of experiencing a debilitating injury and allows you to get medical treatment as soon as possible.

What can you do to protect yourself?

To avoid falling in your home, always wear shoes with good grip. Walk slowly when moving over slippery surfaces like hardwood floors, and be sure to clean up spills as soon as they occur.

These are basic precautions, but in order to truly protect yourself from a serious falling injury, you need to install a good medical alert system in your home. In the event of a fall, you can immediately activate the medical alert transponder on your wrist, necklace, or belt clip. Then, you’ll be connected with a medical alarm system dispatcher who can contact your family or call 911 if required.

While there is no guaranteed way to prevent falls in your home, there are a number of ways to reduce the risk of injury. These statistics aren’t meant to scare you: we’re trying to help you realize just how dangerous falls can be. Whether you’ve fallen in the past or you just want to reduce your risk of injury in the future, a good medical alert system can mean the difference between life and death.

Thank you for taking the time to read our post,

- Dan and Beverly

At MedicalAlertSystemNews.com, we want to provide you with instant access to the latest medical alert system news. The medical alert system industry is constantly evolving, and if you want to choose the best possible medical alarm system, then you need to keep up with the latest trends.

Here are just a few of the things people are saying about medical alert systems in the news:

More than just seniors are using medical alert systems

Medical alarm systems are commonly marketed to seniors. After all, seniors face the highest risk of injuring themselves in their own homes, and unfortunately, even a short fall can result in broken bones and other serious damage. As a result, millions of seniors around the world protect themselves with medical alert systems in order to feel safe and secure anywhere in their homes.

But recent reports have suggested that it’s more than just seniors who are using medical alert systems. While seniors represent the largest demographic for medical alarm devices, groups like the disabled and sick have also started to use them at the recommendation of medical professionals. Furthermore, men and women in abusive relationships are also starting to use medical alert systems to stay safe in their own homes.

When it comes to your personal health, nobody is perfectly safe in their own home. Whether you have a pre-existing heart condition or are unable to defend yourself, a medical alert system can make the difference between life and death.

As a result, more and more people are starting to understand the importance of medical alert systems. Regardless of which demographic group you fit into, it’s clear to see that people are starting to value their health more than ever.

Late phone bill payment nearly costs man his life

A recent story from Liverpool in the U.K. underlines the importance of choosing the right medical alert system. After a 79-year-old man named Peter Mohan was a few days late paying his phone bill, the telecom company cancelled his subscription.

Peter suffers from a rare but serious stomach condition that causes intense bouts of pain. He has used his medical alarm system in the past when experiencing this pain. Unfortunately, after a particularly bad wave of pain, Peter was unable to contact his medical alarm system company because his phone service had been shut down.

As a result, the medical alert transponder around Peter’s neck was no longer activated. This left Peter lying on the floor screaming in pain for several minutes before he eventually staggered over to a neigbor’s apartment in order to use their phone.

Peter Mohan’s case not only underlines the importance of paying your phone bill on time, but it also shows just how vital medical alert systems are to the health of people around the world. Whether you suffer from a debilitating stomach condition or you’re stuck in an abusive relationship, medical alarm systems are saving lives every single day.

Indianapolis man reunites with emergency responders after heart attack

Several weeks ago, Indianapolis resident Karen Barker helped her 84-year-old father install a medical alert system in his home. She viewed it as just another precaution designed to safeguard the health of her ailing father.

However, what she viewed as a frivolous precaution turned out to be a lifesaving device for her father. Just a few days later, Karen’s father, Walter Borders, started suffering from severe chest pains. He knew right away that something was wrong.

He immediately activated his medical alert system. Within minutes, an emergency response crew was on the scene. 15 minutes after the call took place, at 5:05am, Karen Barker learned what had happened to her father. The medical alert system company immediately contacted her and kept her updated on Walter’s condition.

Today, Walter is alive and well thanks to three weeks of rehabilitation and the fast action of an emergency response team. He recently met with the emergency crew who saved his life and thanked them for their duty.

Walter credits his survival not only to the emergency response team, but also to the speed and usability of his medical transponder. It took only seconds for Walter to activate the device and contact an emergency dispatcher. Since Walter was unconscious when he reached the hospital, several more minutes of delay could have cost him his life.

Stories like this are becoming more and more common every year. Seniors all over the country are beginning to use medical alert systems to protect their personal health, and for Walter Borders and Karen Barker, their investment clearly paid off.

Medical alert tattoos becoming more and more popular

As you probably know, medical alert systems have skyrocketed in popularity over the last few years. However, another trend is starting to make headlines as well. In addition to purchasing medical alert systems, more and more people are starting to get medical alert tattoos.

Why do people get medical alert tattoos? Well, some people have unique medical conditions that require a specific treatment. They may be allergic to certain medications, for example. If they are ever unconscious or unable to speak for themselves, medical tattoos could inform the doctor – or whoever is treating them – of their specific allergies or conditions.

For that reason, medical alert tattoos could say anything from “No CPR” to “Penicillin allergy”. If you’re ever in a serious emergency situation, tattoos like this could make the difference between life and death, and they can help respect peoples’ wishes in case they don’t want to be resuscitated.

However, this trend is worrying doctors. Many people get medical alert tattoos for purely aesthetic reasons. Diabetics might get a “R.I.P Pancreas” tattoo after being diagnosed with the disease, for example. Complicating matters even further is the fact that paramedics are trained to look for medical alert bracelets and necklaces on patients. When people start putting important medical information on their biceps, chest, or back, it might not have the effect they want.

Ultimately, if you suffer from a serious medical condition that doctors need to know about, you should stick with conventional methods like medical alert bracelets, necklaces, or belt hooks. While people who get medical alert tattoos have the right intentions in mind, doctors and paramedics may not take the time to scan your entire body for that one important tattoo.

Thank you for taking the time to read our post,

- Dan and Beverly