An emergency response system offers an easy and effective way to get medical attention quickly, even when using the phone is not an option. The basic components of almost all systems are:

• A small button that the user wears, typically on a pendant or wrist band. If help is needed, he or she squeezes the button, which sends a signal to:

1. •An intercom, usually about the size of an answering machine, that is installed between any phone in the user's home and the wall jack. This device then places a call for help that is answered by someone in an office or call center.
   

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Most providers will provide the equipment for free, but charge a monthly fee of about $30 - $45 per month.

Beyond these similarities, however, there can be significant differences the level of service provided, so it is important to carefully compare systems before selecting one.

Here are some questions to keep in mind:

Hardware

• Is the button waterproof? (Many falls occur in the bathtub or shower.)

• Is the hardware compatible with internet-based phone services?

• How far away from the intercom can the signal from the button be picked up?

• What kind of backup battery is available in case of power failure?

• Is the condition of the battery in the button monitored regularly and replaced as necessary?

• Will the system work if the phone is off the hook?

1. •Is there a way for the user to get medical assistance away from home?
   

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Handling the Calls

• Is the company's primary focus on responding to medical emergencies?

• Who is responsible for actually answering the calls for help? Are they employees? Or is this responsibility subcontracted elsewhere?

• Where are they located - in the United States or overseas?

• What type of training do they receive, and for how long?

• Are they trained to be able to assess the severity of the situation?

• What is the ratio of emergency dispatchers to members?

Protocol

• Does the company get the client’s full medical history (including medications), doctor's name and number etc.?

• Does the company representative stay on the line with the user until help arrives, no matter how long that might take?

• Are paramedics automatically contacted, regardless of the nature of the situation?

• In an emergency, does the company go through 911, or do they call directly to the closest paramedics to the person's home?

Other Types of Service

• Does the company work with local police departments in case of home invasion?

• Is 24/7 monitored fire protection offered, so that the fire department is contacted in case of fire?

• Is help available for non-emergency situations?

• Is the service portable, allowing the user to take it on vacations?

Cost

• Is the user required to purchase the system, or is it provided on a rental basis?

• Is there a usage fee or a charge for false alarms?

• If the user were to move, is there an additional charge for transferring the service?

• Does the user receive a written agreement outlining all of the terms of the service?

If either you or someone you love lives alone at home—or if there are times when no one else is in the house to provide assistance—you should seriously consider the protection offered by a personal emergency response system.

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