Personal Emergency Response System

A lot has changed regarding a Personal Emergency Response System over the years but the basic idea behind what they are and how they work remains pretty much the same. These devices remain true to their roots because they work and work well. Forget about the old "Ive Fallen and I Can't Get Up" routine because that was nothing more than some campy ad pitch.

But however funny the commercial was, the need for a personal emergency response system is a very serious one because having such a devise can go a long way to allowing an elderly or special needs person to better live an independent lifestyle for as long as possible. So every caregiver should be armed with information about what to look for in a personal emergency response system.

A Personal Emergency Response system is a device, mainly electronic, which will summon a help response in an emergency situation. They are often referred to by the acronym PERS, but for clarity I will spell out the full name through out this article. Regardless, a Personal Emergency Response System in some form should be considered for anyone who may be in need of emergency responders from time to time. With today's technology, there is no reason to take chances when help can be literally around the corner. Better safe than sorry is always the motto when it comes to safety.

There have been several studies which show that elderly fall victims often survive the injury but succumb to the conditions which immediately follow. That is, they often must wait for hours or even days until help happens by. Let's face it, as we age we often have less and less family and friends around on a daily basis and spending a lot of time alone has become the norm. Maybe a spouse has passed or children and other relatives have become scattered around the country but we feel we are still able to live independently. I like to think of a personal emergency response system as a form of assisted living, but one you control.

Most systems will contain three key components and they are as follows:
A transmitter - usually a small device containing some type of panic button which is worn around the neck, on a belt, or around the wrist.

A Base - This would be a console unit which is connected to a phone line and remains in one central location somewhere inside the house.

A Response Center - This would be a call center which is monitored around the clock which will act as an intermediary when you call for help.

Recently the response center has become less of a requirement in a good personal emergency response system because technology has advanced. The response center is just a middleman and when you activate your system, they receive the summons and send help. These call centers require a subscription which is usually paid monthly. They are very effective but the cost my be prohibitive to people on a fixed income looking for the security a personal emergency response system affords.

So this third component can often be the deal breaker but one such device has eliminated the need for the call center and the transponder is pre-programmed with your choice of emergency contact numbers and 911, so when you press your panic button you will be connected with your whomever you like. If the first programmed choice is not available, your second emergency number will be automatically dialed. Until you are successful reaching help, your system will keep moving through your pre-programmed emergency numbers or you can immediately default to 911 emergency services. There is no monthly subscription so once you buy the system, your financial commitment ends.

The system referred to above is called the Freedom Alert Personal Emergency Response System, and at $279.95 it should be affordable for everyone. You can read reviews or find out all the details about Freedom Alert online if you are interested in a system without monitoring. You may recognize its manufacturer LogicMark from their highly successful Guardian Alert elderly medical alert device which serves as the inspiration for the new advanced features of the Freedom Alert.


Now back to exactly how a personal emergency response system works. During any type of emergency the wearer of the device simply presses the help button on the transponder. This will send a signal back to the base unit which automatically dials for help. Most systems, like the Freedom Alert, will have a method for pre-selected numbers and what order they may be dialed in. Most of the systems will call through your telephone line which can be traced by emergency services and send them to your exact address should you be unable to speak. It is very important to understand how your local emergency responders identify the source of calls. Landlines are easily traceable but if you've embraced technology and make calls over the internet or mobile phones, please contact your local emergency services offices and let them know what type of technology you use and whether they can trace the source of your calls to your exact address. If not, they will be able to make arrangements to rectify the problem.

The pendants or transponders which are worn or carried are typically very light weight and battery powered. I point this out because if your system is indeed battery powered, you will need to test the batteries regularly to make sure the units are functioning properly. The Freedom Alert personal emergency response system has a clever little testing routine which runs a diagnostic of the system and actually tells you that the system is working properly. So the Freedom Alert actually speaks to you. Here is a little video tutorial of the Freedom Alert testing mechanism.

This is where your systems, quality of service and features really come into play. Response systems can be purchased, leased or even rented. They range anywhere from about $200 all the way to over $5,000 and are not typically covered by Medicare or Medicaid. Health insurance companies rarely pay for them unless prescribed as necessary by a doctor. You can check with some social services or manufacturers because there have been certain subsidies which help cover the cost in the past, but there is no telling if they are still around or what hoops you must jump through to qualify. This is what is making the Freedom Alert system so appealing for many because it is very inexpensive and seems to contain the most important features of any good personal emergency response system.

When doing your research on any device, do not buy until you have all the questions you may have, answered to your satisfaction. Don't listen to salesman and company representatives who are trying to push their product on you. There is enough information available online to get a good understanding of just about every feature of each personal emergency response system being sold on the market. Chances are, you even know someone who is using one right now. Check with them to see what they like and don't like about their system and if they feel they would buy it again or if they would prefer a different one. Check for complaints about the brand, service, or performance of these devices and usually the cream will rise to the top. The good products keep getting better, and the best companies listen to their customer's feedback and make changes to the products in order to keep them up to date and in demand.

There are a lot of great personal emergency response systems out there and choosing the right one to meet your needs or the needs of your loved ones will be easier than you might think. Look for recommendations from AARP and other medical or senior citizen resources and I'm sure you'll be able to find a system which can help you maintain and independent and productive lifestyle.