Four Critical Elements To Consider When Selecting Your Medical Alarm Device

First Response Offers Consumers A Vital Checklist To Select The Right Medical Alert System For A Loved One

It would not be a bold statement to say that choosing the right type of personal emergency response system (PERS) today for a senior adult or individual with a chronic disability, has never been more challenging, confusing or daunting!  On the positive side, with the recent advancements in communications and software/hardware technologies, consumers are now faced with a wider and better selection of medical alarm devices than ever before- and this is only getting better!

Some quick history.  The medical alarm industry has been known to lag other related industries in adapting to new and emerging technologies that propel their products into the present day (future) to the benefit of their target customers. Now that our industry has wholeheartedly embraced new, proven technologies such as GPS (global positioning system) tracking, high-definition voice, cellular mobile application software, independent seniors are being presented with a customized selection of more reliable, high-performance products and monitoring services.

First Evaluate The User- Not The System and It’s Technology Features

To initiate the system selection “shopping” process, consumers must address the following four areas of concern, equally, as part of their user evaluation check list: Personal Lifestyle; Medical Need; Financial Budget; Technical Proficiency.

Personal Lifestyle

Define the user’s lifestyle.  For example, does the user spend the majority of their living at home. Or, do they need to travel locally for groceries; medical appointments and other related activities on a regular basis.  Also, does the user operate a motor vehicle.

Medical Need

Take into account whether the user has a chronic medical or physical disability such as falling.  Recent advancements in application device technology now offer seniors with fall detection and auto alarm in select devices to provide enhanced, maximum emergency monitoring and alarm protection.

Financial Budget

Identify the user’s financial budget.  Seniors are usually on fixed incomes.  In many cases, a concerned family member caregiver is subsidizing the cost of the system equipment and emergency monitoring service.  Most provider price plans are rental-based or offer an alternative option to purchase (equipment only). Note: we only recommend the purchase option if the user is of a younger age and plans to use the system for at least five to seven years or more.

Technical Proficiency of User

Evaluate the technical proficiency of the specific user.  For example, do they regularly use a cell phone or a computer.  Do they take on the daily task of re-charging these devices.

Match Our Evaluation Checklist To The Right Medical Alert System

Our next blog entry will delve in more detail to matching the appropriate medical alarm system to the criteria detailed above.  Suffice to say, if the user is more home bound in lifestyle, a traditional land line system would be proper and most affordable.  In the event a user is more independent and therefore inclined to be more mobile (outside the home and property), our GPS Mobile Care portable device would be most beneficial.  If the user is a recurring faller, new fall detection and auto alarm applications integrated into our First Response GPS device will serve to provide added and maximum monitoring and alarm protection.

If you would like more information on this subject, please visit our First Response web site at http://firstresponsesystem.com or call toll-free our Customer Service & Support Center at (866) 930-1130.