Medical Alert System That Calls Family: Pros, Cons, and Tips

Table of contents:

• So, How Do Medical Alert Systems Really Work?
• Who Might Benefit from a Medical Alert System?
• How Does Medical Monitoring and Response work?
• Mobile Apps as Alternatives for Medical Alert Systems

Over the past decade, the medical industry has witnessed various technological advancements that improve patient care, and medical alert systems top the list.

As its name suggests, a medical alert system is a device that monitors the vulnerable by sending distress signals to a predefined emergency contact list and medical practitioners in case of an emergency. They have been known to extend care to the elderly and people living alone.

As you may already know, the number of falls among seniors has significantly escalated over the past couple of years. According to the CDC, in the United States alone, an elderly man or woman aged over 65 years falls every second, of which 32,000 of them die every year.

Shocking statistics, without any doubt!

In addition, seniors are susceptible to other risks and medical problems. Diabetes, heart attacks, spiking sugar levels, mobility issues, and abnormal blood pressure are a few emergency situations that affect seniors, prompting the need for medical attention as well as family support–two important things that a medical alert system offers.

So, How Do Medical Alert Systems Really Work?

The working mechanism of medical alert systems is pretty straightforward. These devices trigger alarms in case of a fall or any other emergency medical situation. It is often a wearable device such as a bracelet that has a life alert button that calls for family and medical personnel. All a person in an accident or any other medical crisis needs to do is press the button, notifying the emergency call center. The agents will quickly assess the situation, reaching out to loved ones and the relevant medical providers, receiving immediate help.

Medical alert systems integrate with various technologies to ensure efficiency when rendering services. For instance, some use GPS, making them an excellent option for real-time monitoring. They also enable location tracking, allowing you to find your loved ones in the event of life-threatening situations that leave them unconscious or unable to speak. 

Automatic fall detection is another feature integrated into medical alert systems. The buttons automatically catch a fall as it happens, triggering an alarm.  It is a vital feature fr those at risk of a fatal fall, as it helps them receive medical assistance fast.

Who Might Benefit from a Medical Alert System?

People that will benefit from a medical alert that calls family include:

• Elderly 

As age takes a toll on us, mobility issues arise.  As a result, handling simple tasks becomes cumbersome. Even going up and down the staircase becomes a challenge to many seniors, exposing them to the risks of falls. 

However, with a medical alert system that calls family, seniors gain instant help in unprecedented situations that call for medical assistance.

• One-person households with no nearby emergency contact

The independence that comes with solo-living is one to brag home about. However, it can become a challenge, especially when you live in a different State and don't have loved ones who can show up in a few minutes in case of an emergency.

Falls and illnesses know no boundaries, and even energetic young persons with no underlying medical conditions may fall sick. With no people that can check on you once in a while, having an alert button that calls family when in a health crisis can be a lifesaver.

Even if they are far away, they will know how you are faring. And those days and months that they do not receive the alerts, they can rest assured that you are doing well. 

• Chronically ill persons

Chronic illnesses are the leading cause of death in the United States. Apart from the need for intensive management, the medications may leave the chronically ill with potentially harmful side effects.

Using a medical alert button that calls family is instrumental in such a scenario as it ensures family and friends are in the loop anytime people suffering from these deadly conditions need help. The patients also receive prompt medical attention, which is vital in prolonging their lifespans.

•    Vulnerable persons 

Apart from the elderly and chronically ill, a medical alert that calls family is ideal for the vulnerable.

These could be people with a history of falls, those with mobility issues, the disabled, and those who worry a lot. Knowing that you have a life alert to call family in the event of a fall or other medical emergency keeps you and your family at ease.

How Does Medical Monitoring and Response work?

The monitoring and response mechanism of medical alert systems takes two basic approaches, namely; monitored and non-monitored systems. 

The type of alert system you pick directly affects service provision, among other things.

Let us expound by explaining how these two monitoring systems work.

Monitored medical alert systems 

Monitored systems service providers have a call center where agents keep an eye on emergency triggers from their clients.

When they receive a distress signal, they will reach out through the base unit or via the voice-enabled wearables to assess the situation. It is then that they decide whether to notify your loved ones and send a medical team to you or just contact your family.

If the agents cannot establish communication, they will immediately call emergency services.

Monitored systems integrate with many technologies, including automatic fall detection, motion sensors, and real-time tracking.

Non-monitored medical alert systems 

The main difference between a monitored and non-monitored alert system is that calls from a non-monitored system do not go through a call center. They are routed directly to your predefined contacts that may be your family or emergency numbers such as 911. 

Without one-on-one interactions with call agents to assess the situation, the system will alert the preprogrammed responses whether you need help getting up from the floor or you have fallen down a fleet of stairs, knocking you unconscious. 

The system will connect the distressed person to their emergency contacts and will play a pre-recorded message stating that there is a medical emergency at your registered home address.

Mobile Apps as Alternatives for Medical Alert Systems

Mobile apps have revolutionized the healthcare industry, presenting an easier and more cost-effective way for patients to connect with medical practitioners and their loved ones.

Innovative safety apps facilitate connectivity, allowing you to quickly send an alert in medical emergencies. They are easily downloadable and can be configured into a smartphone in a few seconds.

Furthermore, personal safety mobile applications have robust features that might be customizable based on your needs. Some offer real-time GPS monitoring that allows family members to know your whereabouts at any time; others focus on privacy protection and remaining unobtrusive. Phone inactivity alerts is another feature that sends alerts when there is no phone activity for a specified time.

Besides, they offer flexibility, allowing you to add new features over time.

And the best thing?

Mobile safety applications are not as expensive as medical systems. The latter cost anywhere from $20 to $40 per month, not even mentioning the home unit installation and related hidden costs. These prices might go higher depending on the sophistication of its features.

On the other hand, free mobile safety apps exist. However, you will need to part with a few dollars to access premium features.

Are you looking to keep your elderly and vulnerable loved ones safe as they live independently? Look no further!

AllsWell Alert is a robust personal safety and emergency alert application that provides remote care to the elderly and the vulnerable. One of its primary features is the combination of an alert button with inactivity monitoring that covers both situations: when people actively seek help and when they’re unable to press a panic button for any reason.

It's an intuitive app that allows you to select multiple emergency contacts. This feature is particularly helpful if your primary contact is unreachable.

Download and try for a free month: on Apple / on Android.