How to Choose a Medical Alert System

Imagining our parents getting older can stir up some new emotions. Worry, sadness, and fear may creep up as you see your parents struggle with their physical and mental health. The good news is that with the millions of Americans caring for aging parents every day, there are many resources available to help you.

At the point when an elderly loved one isn’t able to perform activities of daily living (ADLs), you might be considering home health care services. A home health aide can provide support in the form of therapy, medication management, and much more. However, if your loved one is still living at home, having someone there 100% of the time is likely not realistic.

This is where a medical alert system can ease some of your worries.

What is a Medical Alert System?

A medical alert system sends out an alert when someone is in a harmful or life-threatening situation and in need of immediate assistance. The alert is sent to emergency services and can be customized to alert loved ones as well.

The most common alert system is worn around the neck with an easily identifiable button. When the button is pressed, it sends a signal to a speaker box within the home that notifies emergency personnel who can then communicate with the person in distress or notify a family member nearby.

Questions to Ask When Purchasing a Medical Alert System

Choosing the medical alert system that will work best for your situation can be overwhelming. With so many options on the market, it’s important to do some research before buying. Ask these questions as you’re looking at your options:

Will the person using this be able to push a button?
Is the wearable option feasible?
Would I feel more comfortable with extra wall-mounted help buttons?
What is the range of the base station/speaker box?
Is the response center available 24 hours/day?
What kind of emergency operators will be on call?
Is the monitoring center certified?
Do I have the option to program multiple contacts?

Top Medical Alert Companies

When you’re equipped with the confidence you need to make a purchase, here are some companies to consider.

• Bay Alarm Medical
• MobileHelp
• Medical Guardian
• LifeStation
• LifeFone
• Philips Lifeline

For information on how Sante can provide home health assistance, transitional rehabilitation, or respite care, call (480) 563-2402 or visit one of our four Arizona locations.

For more home health services, visit SanteCares.com.