Personal Emergency Response Systems Can Help Seniors

Personal Medical Alarm System

Seniors who live independently often feel better knowing they can reach someone quickly if they need help. A personal emergency response system (PERS) can offer peace of mind to seniors and those who care about them.

Response systems allow a user to contact emergency support via telephone. Seniors wear a pendant or a wristwatch transmitter to connect to the service. Once pressed, the device sends a radio signal to the console unit, which dials the response center. Most systems can dial out even if the phone is off the hook.

PERS vary greatly in their features, services, and costs. Each response system manufacturer operates a response center, usually a national office that contacts local emergency personnel. Area hospitals and social service agencies also serve as local response centers. Some basic units only indicate to the response center that the user has activated the alarm; others allow for a two-way conversation between the user and the support service to determine the nature of the emergency. More sophisticated units can even deliver timed messages, such as medication reminders.

All transmitters are battery operated and therefore should be checked routinely. Some indicate when the batteries need to be changed. Many are also water-resistant or waterproof, which could be critical if a fall occurs in the bathtub. Because some structures can interfere with radio waves, it’s necessary to make sure the system works throughout a senior’s home prior to installation.

Equipment can be either purchased, rented, or leased. Prices generally range from about $200 to $1,500 for purchase. There is usually a small installation fee and monthly monitoring charge. Renting a PERS device can run between $25 and $45 a month, and some companies require a minimum rental period. Alternately, a lease agreement may include an option to buy. Neither Medicare nor Medicaid will cover the cost of PERS, although a few private insurers will with a doctor’s recommendation.

To find a local service, look in the Yellow Pages under “medical alarms.” It’s wise to comparison shop to review prices and services. Be wary of any salesperson who is reluctant to disclose information over the phone and insists upon a home visit, which may involve high-pressure sales tactics.

Here are some items to consider before purchasing a PERS:

Be sure the system is easy to use. Can you easily press the buttons and replace the batteries?

Does the monitoring center meet your needs? Is it available 24 hours a day? What kind of training do its operators receive? What is the average response time? Find out whether you can use the system with other response centers, if you were to move, for instance.

Ask how they test to ensure that the transmitter works from all areas in your home. What range does it have? What type of repair or replacement policy exists if the unit stops working?

Read the written agreement carefully, checking for any unmentioned charges.

Personal emergency response systems allow for independence with the added assurance that someone’s always right around the corner.

Bill Knapp is a Certified Senior Advisor. For more information, please call him at (818) 222-0133.