What Are Medical Alert Systems?

One of the biggest fears of family caregivers and their care recipients alike is falling and not being able to recover for hours or days-and not having anyway to alert anyone about it. What can be done to avoid this scenario? One solution is to invest in a personal medical alert system (MAS). A medical alert system is a device or service that gives a care recipient a way to quickly and easily call someone for help in case of a fall or emergency. MASs are electronic units that connect to your internet service or land line and often come with a wearable device, like a watch/bracelet or necklace/pendant. They’re activated by simply pressing a button which sends a help signal to the local first responders.  

Actually the signal is first sent to a central monitoring center. Trained personnel answer the call for help, assess the situation and then take the appropriate action, such as alerting local emergency services or a designated (family)caregiver. 

MASs are meant to be used by older adults and also people with disabilities who are more likely to need assistance just in case they fall or have another type of medical emergency. They can provide peace of mind for both the user and their loved ones, knowing that help is just a button press away.

The Benefits of Having a Medical Alert

MASs actually provide a number of other benefits too. In particular, for older adults, the disabled or folks with other chronic medical conditions. Some of the benefits of medical alert systems include:

1. Quick access to help: These systems allow you to quickly (and easily) call for help if you’re having an emergency.
2. Independence: Medical alert systems can give loved ones more confidence and independence when living on their own. Just knowing that they can get help if they need it can relieve a lot of stress and anxiety.
3. Peace of mind: MASs provide family caregivers and loved ones a measure of peace of mind knowing that they don’t have to worry – as much- about an elder living on their own.
4. Reduced risk of injury: Having a medical alert systems can actually reduce the risk of more serious injury or death because emergency services can be alerted a lot sooner and folks can get medical attention if needed.
5. Cost savings: If you think about it, paying for a service like this can prevent, and is much cheaper than spending weeks in a hospital or nursing home.
6. Convenience: Many medical alert systems are made to be portable and convenient.

How Does a Medical Alert System Work?

As we stated above, you typically wear a device around your neck or wrist, and in some cases you can clip it to your belt, which you can activate by pressing a button. This sends a signal to a central monitoring service that allows the wearer to tell a trained attendant what the emergency is. That attendant will then call the local police, fire department, paramedics, or a designated caregiver and tell them the situation. But the specific steps involved in using the system may vary depending on which system you have and what the emergency is. The following is an example of how a system might work:

1. The user activates the medical alert device by pressing the button, (some systems are activated by detecting a fall in the home).
2. The signal is then beamed to the monitoring center, where an operator receives the alert.
3. The operator talks through the device to the victim and assesses the situation. Then with that info determines the appropriate course of action, such as contacting emergency services or a designated caregiver.
4. Most of the time, the operator tries to talk with the user through the speaker on the medical alert device to get an idea of what has happened, their condition and provide verbal support or any necessary instructions.
5. If the situation calls for it, the operator will get the emergency services out to the user’s location.
6. Just like calling 911, the operator will continue to monitor the situation providing support as able until the emergency has been resolved or first responders arrive.

As mentioned before, some medical alert systems may also include additional features like fall detection. In this case it will automatically send out an alert if it detects the user has had a fall. Some MASs have the ability to connect to other smart home devices like Alexa or a security system.

Do Medical Alert Systems Require The Internet

Some systems do use the internet as a means of transmitting the emergency signal and communicating with the monitoring center, while others use a traditional landline or cell phone network. Something to consider is that the internet-based systems could be more susceptible to surges and disconnections if you lose the internet connection. Some MASs try to have backup mechanisms in place so that the service can still be used if the power or internet goes down. 

To get past situations like this, some of the systems offer an internet and cellular combo connection that provides an extra layer of reliability. Naturally it’s a good idea to take a close look at each of the different types of medical alert systems and the way they communicate when you make your choice of a system that it meets your needs and that of your loved one.

What’s The Difference Between Life Alert and Medical Alert

People always ask, “Which is better? Life Alert or Medical Alert?” Well, Life Alert and Medical Alert are both brand names of different medical alert systems. Both Life Alert and Medical Alert offer a range of medical alert systems and services, including in-home systems and mobile systems for use outside the home. The specific features and services offered by each brand may vary, so it’s important to carefully compare the options and choose the system that does what you need it to do and fits your budget.

Does Insurance Cover Medical Alert Systems

Unfortunately, no. While most insurance plans don’t cover medical alert systems, there are some cost-saving options available. It is possible that some long-term care insurance policies may cover the cost of a medical alert system. But you would have to look into that with your individual long term insurance carrier.

In addition to private insurance, there may also be other options for financial assistance with the cost of a medical alert system. Some non-profits organizations or local government agencies, may offer programs to help low-income individuals or seniors afford medical alert systems. as a last resort, it may also be possible to finance the cost of a system through a loan or other financing option.

But whether or not you’re able to get insurance coverage for this type of service, having one will help your loved one age in place, in familiar surroundings more safely and may be worth the price.